I'm stumped. I'm not so sure what is the right answer to your question. I'll do some research in Google and get back to you if I bump into an answer. You should email the people at Medifast as they probably could give you an answer..

My point was that the Medifast diet is only successful if you cook your own Medifast food at home all the time. The minute you try to eat anything else, anywhere or cooked by anyone else, it can cause problems..

Also, once you have eliminated foods that cause problems, the reaction if you DO make a mistake is much more serious - I was rushed to hospital that night by ambulance..

After many many years of this kind of life, I still eat extremely carefully and yes, I have found it to be the best treatment, but if I decided it was no kind of life, that denying myself any kind of pleasure or meals with friends or dinners out or treats, after many, many years of trying was too much, that doesn't mean I don't want to be well, that any of us choose this life..

We do what we can, we try as hard as we can, but NO-ONE has the right to say we don't want to be well..

Oh, how many zealots have I encountered over the years, convinced that one treatment or another will definitely CURE me. How many times have I hoped and prayed they are right..

Unfortunately, after 26 years, I can say that there are things that help, and God give me the strength to stick to them, but it is a challenge beyond most and no, they are not CURES, they are treatments. Unfortunately, I still got sick on the Medifast diet - even on a.

Liquid diet.

Specially designed for crohn's. I ate no solid Medifast food from February until June once my friend..

So yes, I followed the "regimen" religiously for 3 years and I ended up with another obstruction..

Good luck, but never judge...

I'm curious about the science behind David Kleins claims....is the science behind his claims peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials with large samples and small margins of error??..

I'm curious about the term "cure" and how that is measured or determined with these types of claims. Is it merely that no symptoms occur for a certain duration and that's considered cured? Or are there more extensive, definitive tests that can determine someone is "cured." If you're going to accuse people of not helping themselves, then be prepared to defend every aspect of your claim..

I have an acquaintance who was diagnosed 30 years ago with UC. She had one enormous flare, was in the hospital for months with it, and days away from having her colon removed, she suddenly went into remission- out of no where. She has not had a flare since. Not one. That's 30 years of no symptoms and she eats a regular diet. That's the thing with IBD.

I was in remission for several years and that's back when I was eating lots of crap food..

It's a no brainer that if you are eating poorly or eating foods that aggravate your IBD, you can benefit from Medifast diet changes. That applies to the non IBD inflicted..

The more I read this original post, the more bothered I feel by it. It is really condescending. IBD pain, symptoms and flares are not "curses," as if we're living in the Dark Ages. It's a medical condition that we are all coping with the best that we can, given our situations, our means, and what we want for our own lives. It's not a one size fits all thing. Do the diet.

And if you feel good, even better! But don't get on a superiority soap box about how most of us just aren't trying hard enough. That just chaps my butt..

Sorry, Squasher. I know we're smackin' you around a bit. I understand that you were soliciting feedback from people who've been on the Medifast diet for a while. That wasn't the issue. The issue was the editorial commentary aspect of your post. Would you tell a cancer patient or a diabetic that they've not done enough to help themselves, that they're not serious about their conditions? Having cared for and loved people with both these conditions, I could never imagine saying that to them..

Cute dog, by the way...

I think the OP was poorly phrased, but I dont think we should be jumping down his throat this hard. I think he meant well but was poorly received..

And if you are not looking carefully at Medifast diet and lifestyle, but are taking the drugs and getting the.

Surgery.

, then you are really not doing everything you could be. I think that suggesting that such people dont care enough about their own health to want to get better is going a little too far though. There is a lot of conflicting information about what Medifast diet is right, and the Medifast diet that helped one person might not help somebody else. People want answers and solutions but it's not always so cut an dry and the data isnt always available. Most docs dont offer as much information on Medifast diet as they would get from a nutritionist or naturopath..

We should try not to judge people but instead offer positive suggestions. Once people feel like they are being judged their ears close and instead of being receptive they become defensive and angry...

Everyone has limits, so in their own life, in their own mind, which at the end of the day is all that matters, maybe meds or.

Surgery.

Really IS all that they can do...

I believe strongly that there is a direct correlation between Medifast diet and health, and that if you continue to eat an unhealthy Medifast diet then drugs and.

Surgery.

Will not be able to completely bridge the gap. Also, people with special health conditions may have special dietary needs beyond just getting their macro nutrients from a 'balanced' diet..

But I dont want to be lumped in with the OP. Im not judging anyone for their choices, I just am a strong advocate of holistic self treatment..

Mental barriers are an illusion...

I was determined not to comment on this again, but as you'll see from my posts, I too am a strong advocate of eating carefully and healthily and I cook everything from scratch..

The answer to my posts three times has been "yes, but did you REALLY try".

Whatever...

I thought I would wait a few days before commenting on your responses to my original post. I respect all your points of view and have been thoroughly chastised by a number of people and rightly so in many instances. However as Sentient pointed out the OP was not thoroughly thought out and expressed in a way which didn't convey my actual intent. I feel deeply for sufferers of this insidious disease. I have been suffering from UC most of my adult life however it was diagnosed until 2 years ago. This is "small potatoes" to what a lot of you heve endured.

Yes it was soapboxy and somewhat arrogant on reflection and for that I apologise without reservation. I have learned from posters that some are willing to endure various levels of pain and discomfort to maintain some level of normalcy.I myself am not but then I'm not in your position..

As to medications and GI doctors. When I was diagnosed after the colonososcopy in my GI's office he said, "you have moderate to severe UC colitis. Take this medication (.

Asacol.

) 2 by 4x's daily and one day you will probably need to have your colon removed. By the way.

Avoid.

Raw vegetables. Have a good day..

My total nutritional inputavoid raw vegetables! From my readings I understand most GI's receive no more than a few hours of instruction in nutrition. Anyone with these diseases knows this is ludicrous. Medifast food is the dominant factor. Yes.

Exercise.

, mental health, upbringing and genetics are contributors but not compared to what and how we eat..

In closing let me repeat I never intended any implications you did not want to be well, just trying to help..

Steve..

Great response Steve. Thank you..

I think I responded more to the 26 years worth of "Yeah but do you REALLY want to be well..." from those that don't have IBD than to your post!!!.

Do you know, I do it myself sometimes, I know a girl with many un-diagnosed problems, and heard the other day she'd had a.

Hysterectomy.

To my HUGE shame, my instant reaction was "she's always got something wrong"..

ME!!!! OF ALL PEOPLE!!!! I know some say the same about me and if I can't understand, it shows how easy it is to dismiss without really thinking..

Thanks again, and I'm sorry if you got 26 years worth of frustration!!..

I see all the pain, anger, frustration, medication side effects, surgeries and ask a simple question. Have you tried everything? Recently there has a been number of post about David Klein's book, Self Healing C&C. I honestly think you haven't none everything possible to rid youselves of these curses until you tried this diet. Yes it is vegan, yes it is prescriptive, yes it is challenging but the science and results and irrefutable. I have been going 5 weeks now and major improvements are appearing. Everytime I slightly regress I go to the book and find ,the rason why.

You have to buy in for a minimum of 3-4 months before you could possibly say it's just not working. Are really serious? I would like to hear from anyone who followed the regimen relegiouly for 3 months minimum and failed to progress..

Steve..

Caffy I seriously agree.. this is a ridiculous post.... thank you for recommending the book and GReat for you that it has worked I'm happy for you. but do not tell us that we havent tried everything... ugh..

I swear who ever came up with this book is paying these people to plug it all over our DS..

I take back the ridiclous post part, I didnt see the other post inbetween the first page and I appoligize... I just hate some of the things you said but I understand as well... just have been seeing htis book pluged everywhere and began to wonder... you kno..

Hello All,.

Gotta defend these are MOST!!!! ridiculous accusations for someone trying to genuinely help...and is tottaly correct about meds,.

Surgery.

Etc....

Steve I have to applaud you for trying to help people...You mentioned if this works for you ...you will post details of your improving condition..

As you know I started first posting on how I have got cured following David Kleins methods...and like you ...got severely attacked by some postings ...but that is fine ....for all the attacks...if just one single person improves or gets cured ...than that is worth all the negative criticism....Yes I have from the start mentioned the book...but have also stated... will gladly provide full routine I followed... which we know will help...HECK YOU DONT HAVE TO BUY DARN BOOK!! if people believe we are promoting for profit or for some other mad reason!.....

READ THE.

AMAZON.COM.

REVIEWS(past few years ) before commenting... but if people think they are fake or have been paid to promote book as well...than I give up !!!!! ...for those there is no way we can help ,but.

Hope.

You get better in anyway possible..

Caffy & umpienkn..I know this seems hard to believe ...the reason it works... the precision of the routine is key..many people may have tried diets etc...and even those who have severe Condition...have benefited ....but even minor errors in routine eg.. citrus fruit during Ulcerative condition...will hinder healing process....

Yes the method might be difficult and I may not apprecaite this as I found easy due to allready being Vegtarian...so going Vegan was not too diificult....but the results have been astounding!!!!!!!!!! and I am able to maintain my cured state ..with a normal Medifast diet excluding Milk...but otherwise eat all foods including oily, spicy etc...but in moderation...and keep flare up away with 2 x 300 ml servings of Apple and celery JUICE....

As Steve points out he challenges anyone to not notice improvement after 3 months...well I will stick my neck out and go one better ...I would say 1-4 weeks ...one will start seeing improvements ...particularly pain asscoiated with cramps ...than bleeding and mucus will improve...key is jucing....

Now await all the attacks...but will say WHY in Gods name SHOULD I GET BETTER ...MY UC CONDITION IS NO DIFFERENT... our symptoms are all similar ...ok I appreciate many here have far worse ...and for that I am truly sorry!!.

Like others I get very angry ...but my anger is at people maintaining there stance on method not working ...or even more annoying comments..'works for you fine'...but wont be any good for me...or just dont believe it is possible....

Sorry if offended anyone...but I cannot bear anyone suffering with this dreadful condition...... get so frustrated when I know it can be tremendously improved....

Just message if anyone want routine info ....or any other help...we have to be here for eachother....

Good health to all.....

Oh Indi, Indi, Indi..

Did you read all the posts?.

I don't think anyone attacked the diet, just the assumption that if it DIDN'T work, we weren't trying hard enough..

Did you read my post? I Did try it, for MANY years, it DIDN'T work, I got another obstruction..

Again I say - IT ISN'T A CURE IT'S A TREATMENT..

Again I say, I'm genuinely pleased for you if it worked..

How can you possibly judge others for resorting to meds or.

Surgery.

If it DOESN'T WORK? - Not what Steve was doing by the way, but you seem to be..

PLEASE, again I say, this is a place where people come for support, understanding and a break from all the ignorance and judgemental opinions of those who don't understand..

Just be a little kinder in your approach and you have to accept that one thing really, really, DOESN'T work for everyone...

Hi Sue,.

Ok yes ..not cure treatment...resorting to meds is absolotely right and initially if you read my posts I was on.

Asacol.

And steroid tabs ..whilst this made no difference...the Predsol enema...reduced bledding by half ...which was tremendous!!...so theefore I dont discount the fact that drugs help a great deal..

Barring yourself ..many just comment ...without even looking at method.....and just make accusations of us profiteering in some way...as for being judgemental ..far from my intention...but being ignorant and not understanding of peoples suffering...that is very low....

Yes I accept the method may not work for all...but when you make that that statement...straight away in most peoples minds ...triggers a mode of.

Acceptance.

In there condition and thus going into there comfort zone of believing drugs is the only mode of relief and theefore dont even bother trying any alternatives...that is very saddening thought....

What you are stating is most people have tried alternatives..havent worked ..and so are better of on meds....in reality the opposite is true ...most have only tried meds...very few have tried alternatives.....

As I understand ...this board is not just here for people to have a shoulder to cry on ...which before you attack me for...i do believe is very important!!..but in the main....to try and help eachother in any way to gain some relief ...whether it be cure ..treatment...or whatever term one chooses to use...

If this makes me .. judgemental ...arrogant ..or what ever ...that is fine ....

My approach on this post was agreesive as I have taken a lot false accustions of trying to profit in some way...this I have to admit ..makes my bloods boil....

Take care sue...guess the best news...would be to hear you were rid of your symptoms...but your condition seems far worse than most....and cannot be easy to cope with....but somehow.

Hope.

You get better...

Nice post Indi..

Perhaps you will tell others:.

How long you've been diagnosed?.

What treatments you tried initially?.

How severe your disease is?.

What other treatments you tried?.

Why you are so convinced the Klein Medifast diet is the best way?.

What science is behind it and how does he substantiate his claims?.

That way, maybe more will listen, especially if you accept that this may only help some, not cure them. The irony here is that I believe Medifast diet IS the best treatment for IBD. I just think your approach actually puts more off..

I personally don't think anyone here has dismissed any kind of treatment, I think they just have to choose for themselves...

Wow. this is aggravating. before I posted I DID read about the book, and have tried many alternative and actually would rather change my Medifast diet then try several drugs. Its the way everything is being worded like you are accusing people of not trying hard. You in a sence are being arrogant. I am actually very open to getting that book but "insert swear word here" please stop being so rude about it..

I very much agree with sue, the way you are pushing this is putting people off. Not once did anyone say anything bad about this diet. Just the way you are approaching the subject..

Please just realize we come here in times of need and to receive support and help not to be told that we havent done everything we can...

Glad you liked ...specially for you...

Sue I have posted all of this in many posts..but will repeat ...First alternative method (which helped only slightly) disease severity,symptoms etc...

Http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Croh....

When Diagnosed and symptoms described here,allbeit as review on Amazon.

Http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-rev....

Is review on Amazon.

All claims by the author are backed up with precise named references from many scientific studies and sources...

Sue I have not stated this is the best way...I think this is one of the ways...and one that I personally found to have a tremendous effect ..in a very short space of time.....

Why convinced well...First I can describe every miserable damm symptom and painful day ...that I suffered.. as I was not prepared to take any pain killers ..especailly.

Codeine.

(which is the only one that helped ..all the normal types had no effect whatsoever)...as all these drugs we well understand... have awful side effects.....

Not to mention.

Asacol.

And Predsol enema (high doses)...

Today I am free of all drugs and have so far ..not had any setbacks....and it is the manner in which routine worked...that has been so unbeliveable...

There are many studies on why Vegan Medifast diet is best for mankind...this one can.

Research.

On web ...quite easily....

Now I am a practical person I do NOT believe in theory ...therefore having read the real life testomonials and reviews...I felt there was something telling me this is not the usual con...

Now than one might say ...the testomonials and reviews.

...could.

Be faked...this given the the timespan and variations ...would really take some doing..especially on.

Amazon.com.

So there you are ...it is preety obvious most have not bothered even taking 20 mins of there time to read reviews...and I have time and again mentioned.

Reading.

These...not to buy book ...but to gain confidence and belief in method....

Hope.

This helps ...sadly ...it will just be another post walltzes on by without much notice....

Good health to all.....

I'm not sure I even want to get into this.

Discussion.

......but I am currently on the Medifast diet and am amazed at the results. I don't think squasher meant to offend anyone, I think he was just tying to be helpful. People who are new with their diagnosis may benefit from a post like this..

I certainly.

Hope.

I haven't offended anyone by trying to defend this post....I agree that we all come here to find comfort and support for our disease, and it is unfortunate that so many were offended by this...

STOP! Please- we're supposed to be helping eachother. This is such a horrible and frustrating disease. Can't we all just agree that at this time there is no cure and what works for one won't work for all?.

I know that I need to be more disciplined about my eating habits. It's so hard when the holidays come around and there's all that wonderful Medifast food within reach. I work a lot of hours too. My doctor actually told me to quit my job. I said "How many healthy homeless people do you know?".

I've been like this since I was 13. And this is probably the worst year I've had. The first two days after my colonoscopy were great. No pain. No.

Running.

To the bathroom 10+ times a day. On the third day I got really sick and it's been miserable since then. My GI just wants to give me more pills, including steroids. I refused. She never warned me about the side effects of.

Lialda.

I really didn't expect her to be straight with me about anything else. My point is- I am the one that has to live in this body until I die. Whatever the drugs and this disease do to me, I have to live with..

I come here because I want to know what works or doesn't work for other people like me. I think it's better than doing nothing at all. To be perfectly honest, I've learned more from all of you than I learned from my last 3 doctors...