More and more, it seems like doctors are recommending certain patients stop consuming Irish potatoes, particularly those who have chronic digestive problems or autoimmune disorders. I think I'd be miserable without potatoes.

And I find all that interesting as potatoes are very gentle and healing to the gut, easy to digest.

I would be so so sad without potatoes. I actually crave potatoes the way many people crave sweets. I really just need a baked potato with a little salt. Don't need butter or any other topping. I've read stuff about potatoes and how they raise serotonin levels. This makes sense to me as I have serotonin issues. Better a potato than a SSRI. Before I read that info, I always assumed it was my Irish side that loved the potato. :)

Kim, I didn't know potatoes can cause joint pain.

Seeker, why can't you have them?

After serious illness I went on a stripped diet. When reintroducing foods or trying to they don't do well. I too craved potatoes and chips and sugar. But now I am OK. Sometimes when I stress I cheat but I always pay for it. I don't do nightshade for the same reason, horrible joint pain

Oh...yeah, that's why you don't eat tomatoes, Kim. I am glad you found what makes you feel bad, but sorry you can't enjoy the potato. Luckily, I don't crave sweets--just potato.

I think we may have GMO potatoes and also the overuse of Bt to thank for the new issues erupting around potatoes and certain illnesses. Let me explain.

Different strains of a bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis (commonly abbreviated as Bt) are used to combat certain pests, ranging from fungas gnats to caterpillars to Colorado potato beetles. Bt works by interfering with the function of the insects' gut cells---essentially rupturing them. Nowadays, we see people with stomach disorders that seem to be occurring in the same way that Bt harms insects. How is this possible? Is is the potatoes themselves? If so, why is this a fairly new development? Has something about/within potatoes changed? Is Bt being used too often? Being taken up by plant tissue? Or, in the case of GMOs, are we breeding the Bt into food we eat? Sometimes, it seems like there's more questions than answers, but we do know this: These people have had changes occur in their guts that allow substances from food to pass into the blood stream---substances that in the past did not enter the human bloodstream. (This is so similar to the way Bt kills insects by interfering in their gut cells that it is scary.)

One common name used to refer to this mechanism in human beings is 'leaky gut syndrome'. It always seems to relate to inflammation that has developed within the digestive system. The dangers from leaky gut syndrome are multiple and different people have different problems arise from it. Sometimes it either causes or contributes to various stomach disorders. Sometimes it may contribute to the development of certain autoimmune disorders. Researchers believe the autoimmune disorders develop as the body is attempting to fight off these new substances that are getting into their bloodstream. While attempting to fight the unknown substances, the body's immune system often turns on itself and the patient develops an autoimmune disorder. While leaky gut might not cause the autoimmune disorder all on its own, it certainly can be a contributing factor....or, it may be causing the problems. The number of people being diagnosed nowadays with various autoimmune disorders is skyrocketing, and many people believe there is a connection between diet and the increased diagnosis of autoimmune disorders.

So, one way to help people heal from leaky gut and associated stomach disorders is to remove possible offending foods from their diet. It takes a long time to heal a stomach that has developed leaky gut, possibly years, but it seems like many people improve a great deal after removing offending foods from their diet---and this includes potatoes. There are various diets touted for use in this manner---one popular one is the GAPS diet. The GAPS diet helps combat inflammation caused by eating certain foods. By removing the perceived sources of inflammation, it is hoped the digestive system will heal and that the leaky gut syndrome will go away.

As Kim mentioned, once you have removed the offending foods from your diet, eating them can cause your body to react horribly, and painfully, to them. Only time will tell if the doctors and medical researchers are right about leaky gut syndrome and its relation to foods that cause inflammation. I think there is a clear relationship between Bt used in raising food and leaky gut, and I have pretty much stopped using Bt in my garden. Nowadays, for example, I'm growing potatoes under micromesh netting so I don't have to use a Bt product to kill the Colorado potato beetles. I grew all cole crops under netting or row cover for the same reason. I tolerate corn earworm damage (just cutting out and discarding the damaged portions of the ear) so that I don't have to spray my corn, etc.

I used to think Bt was a great product for organic gardeners to use, but in light of all we now know about how similar leaky gut syndrome is to the way that Bt 'kurstaki', for example, ruptures caterpillar's stomach cells, I'd just rather not eat food sprayed with Bt.

We only get one body. It is incumbent upon us to do our best to try to nourish and protect our bodies, even if it means giving up some beloved food items (hopefully temporarily, but permanently if need be).

Dawn

That is why I am looking forward to a better year. Last year I lost all my brassica which are my favorite foods. This year I am putting up a lot more food.

I hope your luck is better this year and that your brassicas survive. Last year was not your fault!

Just health crap. Got lst of can/do nots stupid makes no since. Like every fruit i just got all no. Grapes purple and green/ canned mango/ oranges/kiwi/no watermelon. Thats to bad. Growing mini ones. Winter squash/no milk! But steaks certin cuts ok/eggs (good have7 dozen) no strawberry have 2 lb.

What was going to make tonight 2 giant ruben sandwich brent love i love. Ill do rye bread gotta go and butter gotta go my corned beef and swiss gotta go. All nono. The dressing a no new bottle. Guess my sourk ok just not my barvarvan type. My 5 lb hot links left will see bsk.

Tree sounds like the same protocol I am on. I don't get sausage tho. Too many nightshade spices in there.

For soups and stews use parsnip and turnips for potatoes. They are really good.