I recently received this thank-you message, with these striking before/after photos:
“Hey guys, just wanted to say thank you to Jini and the team I took this pic today, the worse photo (right side) is me 5 months ago. I followed a lot of Jini’s expertise and applied what worked with my gut, I watched her YouTube videos and podcast over and over to keep me focused and motivated. Please pass on huge thank you to Jini I can’t thank her enough ❤️”
I then reached out to Will and asked him if he could share the details of what he did to make his healing a reality, as I knew it would be both instructive and encouraging for others. He graciously outlined the steps he took and provided his contact info if anyone wants to get in touch.
Thank you Will, for taking the time to outline all the different facets of your healing journey! Hopefully it will provide some encouragement or ideas for those of you facing similar challenges. You can direct message Will on his YouTube channel or Instagram if you have any questions.
Here is Will’s story:
Pre-history: Skinny ectomorph figure, never had any gut symptoms or severe health concerns except pneumonia at around age 5
2006 – 2015 western vegetarian diet turned vegan diet (minimally processed foods)
So the dread all began in late 2015, noticeable changes in my health, first symptom being loud belching noises in my gut, then followed by other symptoms; fatigue, bloating, frequent toilet visits, loose stools with occasional alternating constipation, nausea, extreme hair loss, tooth cavities (1 root canal, 2 on the verge of root canal) brittle hair and nails, tingling in arms and legs, bubbles in my urine, and eventually weight loss and rectal bleeding.
To cut a long story short it was many visits to many doctors; blood test, stool test, urine test. The only formal diagnosis I ever got was of a parasite found in my stool, blastocystis hominis, later to be told my symptoms match the criteria of IBS/IBD, and then in the next breath, that there is no known cure.
Till this day I don’t know what I had, but enough to know it stuck around for 4 years.
So in between then and now I was confused and wanting answers – maybe the blastocystis hominis is causing this, maybe some of my poor diet choices were to blame? I was even told by doctors I’m overthinking it, but as we all know, our body knows better.
So between 2016 – 2018 it was A LOT of trial and error and room for improvement (diet changes, lifestyle changes, homeopathy). Amongst my searches and changes, in mid 2017 I came across a video, which happened to be a talk by Jini! So after watching I began a vegan elemental diet (sunwarrior protein powder) and switched my probiotic brand to natren dairy-free. Things were going ok till day 5 when I had the worst unexpected constipation of my life, which I could imagine might feel like childbirth (not kidding). The fear of that potentially happening again was too much, I went off the shakes and back on solid foods. (Spoiler alert: elemental diet wins but read on…)
By 2018 my emotional health and spirit had deteriorated badly due to a poor quality of life, limited to manageable homemade dishes. Life had lost variety in my food and my lifestyle. Although I was just managing symptoms, nothing was really improving entirely. I was beyond desperate, willing to surrender and do whatever it was going to take to reclaim my health.
I had been following Jini’s YouTube channel and thought, this is do-or-die. I made the decision then and there to give the elemental diet and Jini’s supplement and lifestyle recommendations a serious go-hard-or-go-home mindset for as long as it takes. From around June 2018, I elementally drank my way right through till the end of 2018, then I started incorporating rice and black beans.
Now that I can say I’ve done it, in retrospect I didn’t really feel a difference till around December/January, everything wasn’t black and white, you don’t wake up one day healed, it’s very progressive. The challenge I found hardest was managing my expectations when a symptom would reappear – although it got me down emotionally, mentally I stayed committed, which I believe is what ultimately counted.
What I took in my Healing phase June 2018 – December 2018
Food
Sunwarrior Protein powders (Chocolate and vanilla)
– Side note: for me I noticed when I increased my probiotic dosage, whilst on the elemental shakes, I would tend to lean towards bad constipation. I did find the Sunwarrior Plus powders better for me than the plain ones, I guess this is the Listen to your gut message, which is different for us all. Lesson: awareness of details is critical in this step!!!
– drinking shakes slowly… a sensitive gut is reactive and I realized a slower consumption helped my body gradually adjust. Depending on my day and priorities, I would be drinking 1 shake for 30 minutes, or even up to 2 hours on occasion. I also realized my gut was most sensitive in the morning, even to water.
Ripe bananas (black spots)
Avocados
Udo’s Oil
Nature’s flavours organic tapioca maltodextrin
Dr Axe organic bone broth powder: Ok I believe this step was a turning point, as a vegan for ethical reasons, I found this part the final piece missing to healing. I couldn’t drink the powder without gagging so I put some gloves on and made capsules with the dr axe bone brother powder myself and swallowed with water (empty capsules and dr axe bone broth ordered from iHerb, originally dr axe sold pre-made bone broth capsules but was discontinued, other brands stock capsule bone broth however dr axe is the only organic bone broth powder I found).
Supplements
Natren dairy free (3 step probiotic system)
Imix Mucosaheal
Mini minerals of life
Bone Matrix
Source Naturals Methylcobalamin B12
Source Naturals L-Glutamine
Joy of the mountains Wild oregano oil
QuikPlus Iron
Lifestyle
I work from home which I understand is a massive privilege in times like this, but luckily I was able to build and sustain an income whilst I was sick, with support from my partner.
Sleeping at least 8 hrs a night
Rebounder for exercise (I limited cardio to light exercise due to low body mass, listen to what feels right to your body)
The majority of my free time was spent focusing on myself and healing, if friends family wanted to see me it would be my place, sounds demanding but genuine people will understand. Birthday parties out at restaurants, traveling, and functions were all off the cards. Also going off social media was important for me, I noticed myself feeling more depressed comparing my life watching friends have fun living life, while I was battling, and it was easier to be off social media and not look at it. Simplifying everything back to basics, living a simple lifestyle helped me commit and manage my time to myself.
Mostly importantly I can’t emphasize enough that if you are going to do this once and only once, please make it count, give it 1000%, the sooner you are healed, the sooner this experience might not need to define your future!
I also said to myself if i have to do this for 1 to 2 years I will. That expectation also helped manage the road ahead rather than expecting fast results. Please remember on your bad days to refer to videos, podcasts, testimonials that remind you things can get better. For me, I listened to Jini Patel’s videos and podcast. So if you are reading this right now, just remember I was once like you are now and things can turn around, don’t be hard on yourself, healing is a gradual process 🙂
NOTE: With regards to Will’s first attempt at an elemental diet, he told me he drank 8 glasses of water per day, but he did not add magnesium to the shakes to help loosen his bowel. Remember, you can add 150-1000 mg of magnesium citrate per day if constipation is an issue. Adding Vitamin C to the shakes also helps a lot with this – use as much as you can, up to bowel tolerance (when your bowel movements get loose, that’s your max dosage).
The other thing to know about constipation and probiotics, is to back off on the Bifido Factor and increase the Digesta-Lac if constipation is a tendency. Drop your Bifido Factor completely until constipation is resolved, then add just a pinch, and gradually increase. If you tend towards diarrhea, then do the reverse; increase Bifido Factor and decrease Digesta-Lac.
I am currently sourcing an excellent quality bone broth powder to bring into the Shoppe for those of you who don’t have the time or desire to make your own broth. I’ve also written before about the difficulty of healing while being strictly vegetarian or vegan. If you can eat fish, or eggs, or dairy (but no meat) you can do alright. But vegan diets, while good for cleansing or re-set, are not good to support long-term health or healing – even just for the Vitamin B12 issue alone.
Lastly, all the products Will mentions are available in our LTYG Shoppe if you can’t find them locally.
Thank you for sharing Will and Jini. What an inspiring story! I was diagnosed with IBD eight years ago at a young age. It can be a lonely process but things can get better. I am blessed to have come across your website and read your book Jini. Thank you so much for writing it and helping others with your story. Thank you Will for sharing your amazing story. It is inspirational, and I admire your dedication and discipline. I too take Dr. Axe bone broth. I also take other supplements and watch what I eat. Things have gotten better for me too. I hope to be able to share my story one day…still working on my health but making progress. I wish you continued health and happiness!
Agreed Catherine. Just like what Jini always say.. “It is a journey. You should focus on how far you’ve come and all the improvements you have made and you will have a lot more peace and happiness along your Healing Journey”.
Thanks so much for sharing and we’re looking forward to hearing more about your progress!
Kind Regards,
Cris B
Customer Care
Just an editing note but 2019 hasn’t actually happened yet – you might want to correct that.
Good catch Stephe! Thank you for letting us know.
Cris B
Customer Care
I had my first colonoscopy in April 2009 they removed several polyps and within 2 1/2 years I lost 26 lbs. and had a full blown severe case of Crohn’s disease. My specialist had me on Humira till I couldn’t even hold my eyes open for more than a hour or so and feeling like I was on my way out, I stopped on my own. The specialist proceeded to put me on another trial drug Stelara more of the same outcome as Humira. I no longer see this specialist or anyone at this time. Since I’ve had it drilled in my brain by my doctor there is no cure for Crohn’s disease…..
The symptoms have become so unmanageable & have also turned me into a person I don’t even know myself most the time. The pain, constant weight loss, not wanting to communicate with anyone but myself and pup Bandit since he sees me and loves me unconditionally. It’s so frustrating dealing with this along with all life’s everyday chores & obligations. I’m hardly able to keep up with much of anything and it’s a scary feeling.
I’m so excited after reading these first few articles and plan to continue reading as much as I can get my hands on until I start to feel and see a healthier me, I’m convinced it’s going to happen! Giving me a better and more positive attitude knowing I’ve dealt with many things in my life and some much more difficult than this I will defeat this disease knowing there is lite and life at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks for taking the time to tell your story which will hopefully make my journey less complicated as yours
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Kimberly! Hang in there we look forward to hearing more about your progress!
Kind Regards,
Cris B
Customer Care
Cris B. My only problem is I don’t know where to begin. I was using the Joy of Mountains organic oregano oil, the probiotics triple pack, along with shakes and now I’m at a point where money has become an issue with the disease playing a big part with me performing my job and making money. If anyone could assist me in anyway of how to get started again to try and fight this battle I would greatly appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Kimberly
Hi Kimberly,
Big hugs to you! Unfortunately, Jini is legally unable to give personal health advice. BUT to ascertain whether you are on the right track for your unique body, she recommends to work on strengthening your intuition – the mind/body/spirit piece. Please read through these articles and open to developing this part of yourself – THIS is where true, long-term healing (and the wisdom for how to get there) comes from:
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/category/musings/
Also please email me your inquires, product and dosage questions here: service@listentoyourgut.com
Best,
Cris B
Customer Care
The plant-based diet is the most definite thing for me when I had intermittent IBS. Bone Broth, Tumeric and Ginger Tea, Kombucha and all whole foods. It actually healed my gut! whole foods are the healer in my book! I got a list from Dr.Axe, Naturalpathic doctor on youtube. You should look up Jordon Rubin’s story as well on youtube it very compelling.
Thanks for sharing this with us, Jean.
Cris B
Customer Care
Hello, was wondering if Will did a treatment for blastocysti parasite ? Thank you
Hi Pascal,
You can contact Will directly on his YouTube channel or Instagram to know more about his treatment for Blastocystis Parasite.
Kind Regards,
Cris B
Customer Care
I have lived with the Absorb Shakes for 3 years. I have a Short Gut due to Crohn’s Disease. I did not know the existence of bone broth pills. I would be interested in them. I am a lot better for 4 months it seems my Crohn’s is in remission now and my majorly soft foods that I eat has paid up with my my nutrition for now. You did not drink the Absorb shakes. I have the runs Not constipation. I would like to know more about your treatment and what you took to get better. Congratulations with your recovery. Amen.
Hi Marta,
Thanks for your comment. The most common result from an exclusive elemental diet (like The IBD Remission Diet) is to have frequent, loose, watery stool. Check this link below on how you can combat this bowel effect: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/bowel-issues-on-an-elemental-diet/
You can contact Will directly on his YouTube channel or Instagram if you have any questions.
Kind Regards,
Cris B
Customer Care
I have one question about the probiotics. I have diarrhea, and it’s says to increase the Bifidobacteria and decrease the digest lac if that’s the case. By how much would you do that? I have been taking three capsules with a tsp each of the others three times a day. This story gives me hope that with persistence, things can change!
Hi Sam,
You can open the capsules and dissolve the powders in water. You just have to test a little bit (add a pinch, or 1/8 tsp) and see how your gut reacts. If you get too much die-off, or bloating /diarrhea etc. then it’s too soon, or you need to go slower. Everyone’s pace is different, so you need to listen to your own gut. Hang in there and let us know how else we can help.
Best,
Cris B
Customer Care
Hi Sam,
Don’t forget, that aside from increasing Bifido Factor (up to 2 tsp, 3x/day) you might also want to use L-glutamine on an empty stomach (instructions are in LTYG book). Stool bulking agents can also help a lot, like sprouted chia, flax etc. – search the Shoppe for brands I recommend if you’re not sure what to get. All the best
Hi Jini,
I have Pan UC. I’ve been following LTYG for a few months (3-4) now and have been in a bad flare ever since. I’ve followed the Wild Oregano protocol, used AbsorbPlus, Mucosalheal, L-Glutamine, Probiotics, avoid dairy, reducing Gluten, etc. everything your books and website and ebooks tell me to do. Still no results!
Because it’s not working my GI doc has me on Mesalamine and now have tried a steroid (Budesonine) for the last month. Still tons of inflammation and diarrhea. Next step from her is to go on Remicaide.
I’m not sure what to say, your method doesn’t seem to help or work. my Cal Protectin count is still very high. I truly think doing all those things will do well for me once the major inflammation is eliminating and its used to “maintain” a healthier color.
I followed what you have told me a quite a bit of expense, but still no results. I just continue to be frustrated trying to follow you and the people online that claim to heal yourself in a healthy way but are losing faith.
Hi Chris,
It’s unfortunate that the Elemental diet didn’t work out for you. We receive feedback on a regular basis from people who experienced results similar to yours using them along with wild oregano oil and other supplements. It would be fantastic if there was one thing that worked equally well for everyone with any sort of GI tract illness but that’s simply not the case. That’s one reason why Jini called the program “Listen to Your Gut”… Each individual needs to find his or her own way to heal. However, not everyone experiences identical results as everyone is dealing with a unique blend of health challenges that’s why Jini made it clear in her books and website that what she’s offering is what has worked for her and her readers.
Regardless, I know it is just devastating to follow a program to the letter and it still doesn’t work! This is what Jini did with the SC Diet for one full year. That diet has worked for thousands but it just did not work for her. Committing to a healing program takes so much of your time, your energy, your hope, your money, your self-discipline, etc and to wind up no better, or even worse is just beyond nasty. I am sorry you had to go through this.
Like what Jini always say “your body is ALWAYS advocating on your behalf. So if you’re not healing, then there is a valid reason why and you need to keep looking until you find it.”
Best,
Cris B
Customer Care
Sorry to hear of your struggles, Chris. My son has had Crohn’s since he was 12 and is now 22 (he’s almost died twice) and there have been so many hills and valleys that we have lost count, but you have to keep fighting, even when it seems that all hope is lost. I appreciate Jini and her research, and desire to share with the world what she has learned. Please know that even if it works for one person, it does not mean in any way that it will work for the next. I have 3 people in my family with Crohn’s and the same thing doesn’t work for all of them. Our GI is one that I actually respect and his saying is, “I have a couple hundred Crohn’s patients, but if you have 1 Crohn’s patient, you have 1 Crohn’s patient.” Translation: EVERYONE is different and it can come from genetic make-up to nutritional deficiencies or inability to absorb those nutrients because of genetics, diet, food sources, environmental, and the list goes on and on. No one person is the same, and no one thing or one protocol is going to work the same for one person to the next. Try to keep that in mind and hang in there. You just have to leave no stone unturned and keep at it….
Hi. My grandson is 15 years old & just diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. I purchased your book & am reading it. He was very buff & 200 pounds—not fat at all-plays linebacker in football. He lost down to 153 pounds. He had his wisdom teeth removed & was given antibiotics that caused him to get c-diff. He was beginning to get over this and then about 10 months later got mono. After the mono he lost weight & had blood in his stool & nausea& abdominal pain. Has been started on Entocort 9mg daily & protonix 40mg daily for Crohns & acid reflux. I took him to an integrative & functional medicine dr & she suggested that he go on monolaurin & Olive Leaf Extract & Probiotics. I wanted to order the Natren probiotics since reading about them in your book. I wondered if you had any info about the monolauren and what you thought about it and the olive leaf combination instead of the wild oregano oil. Also can the protocol be done while taking the Entocort & protonix. He has gained 12 pounds in the past 3 weeks since being on these drugs. Thanks for your input, Janice
Hi Janice,
Thank you for reaching out. Sorry but we do not have any info. reg. Monolaurin so would just caution and research ingredients and make sure that they are not going to be more harmful for his Crohns. Often too many things at once, especially with too many ingredients can be more harmful than good. It also makes it hard to pick out on what is helping and what is not.
As in all things, please follow your own gut instinct first. If you feel that he should pursue aggressive supplementation, then please do so. I would also ask myself: When faced with antibiotics or a powerful, damaging drug as the alternative, do I feel wild oregano will do less harm than these potent drugs? If you decide to go with with Oregano then its best to take this alone as this should sufficient enough to get rid of stubborn infections/parasites in the gut.
For Olive Leaf, this can also be used in combination with wild oregano, or, alternating with wild oregano. Many people (especially those with stubborn infections) prefer to alternate between olive leaf and wild oregano, so that the pathogens don’t get used to any one substance – they feel this is a more powerful approach.
If you are looking for a new medical opinion, Dr. Paul Goldberg is familiar with Jini’s protocols and has clients with whom he conducts consultations via video call from all over the world. If you are interested, you can contact him at this URL: http://www.goldbergclinic.com/
Dr. Paul Goldberg shares methods and protocols with Jini and has read all of her books. He is very rigorous practitioner and like Jini, has healed themselves of a serious chronic illness, so he understands first hand what you’re going through. We can highly recommend him.
We wish you and your son all the best on your healing journey and if you have any additional questions about our products or Jini’s protocols I would be happy to assist you.
Best,
Cris B
Customer Care
Very inspiring to read all the success stories here. I have been wanting to start on my healing journey. In the past I done Absorbplus shakes and felt good. Havent followed through though. Currently on Humira and aspire to be medication free.
Before I start my journey, I want to make sure I want to start with a good expectation. For all the people who are healed, how long did your journey take? How long were you on the elemental diet, and how did you ease into everyday food. I was on absorb plus for 2 weeks and when I ate after that I had a lot of stomach aches and diarrhea – is that normal? When you got back to your everyday life does that still entail a restricted diet ? Did you have to wean off the medication slowly before you started your healing? Were there ups and downs in your journey ? Once healed do you still have to take any supplements?
What do know if you are healed – Absence of symptoms? Inflammation is a common symptom – do you know if you have it or should you get tested for it?
I want to get better – and yet in a way I am enjoying the weight loss. Is getting better and weight loss mutually exclusive on the healing journey.
I understand that there are too many questions – but I hope to get some direction from this group.
Hi Anita,
Thank you so much for sharing a bit about your situation. There are a few of Jini’s blog posts I would recommend you read, which will give you a bit more information about elemental diets, Absorb Plus, Jini’s Wild Oregano Oil Protocols, and best Probiotics to use. =)
Absorb Plus as Part of an Elemental Diet: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/using-absorb-plus-as-part-of-an-elemental-diet/
Best Probiotic Species and Dosing: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/best-probiotic-species-and-dosing-for-ibs/
Why AM I Not Healing? https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/why-am-i-not-seeing-results/
Why am I Not Healing Faster? https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/feeling-frustrated-why-is-my-gut-not-healing-faster/
Broths for an Elemental Diet: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/vegetable-broths-for-an-elemental-diet/
Bowel Issues on an elemental diet: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/bowel-issues-on-an-elemental-diet/
Easy Ways to Transition off of an Elemental Diet: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/easy-ways-to-transition-off-an-elemental-diet/
Here are a few other reader stories which you may also find inspirational on your healing journey:
35 Years with Colitis- Finally a Breakthrough: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/35-years-with-crohns-finally-a-breakthrough/
5 Years Crohn’s/Colitis Free: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/five-years-crohns-colitis-free/
You Saved My Life- Father of Two: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/you-saved-my-life-father-of-two/
I hope some of that information is useful to you! Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Kind regards,
Savannah B
Customer Care
Dear Jini and the Ltyg team I want to thank you for your support and the helpful advise on how to help my wife’s UC.
She successfully started the elemental diet on her 2nd try (on 1st try we started to fast and with to much of the shakes and her body didn’t tolerate it well) but now we went slow and increased gradually and her body adopted quite well to the absorb plus shakes.She is already 6 days on the shakes and since yesterday and today she has no bleeding at all,completely normal fecal matter.I wanted to ask you how long does it usually take for pain to stop(after hawing the liquid bowel movements) since her bleeding now stopped?We also started the Natren powder probiotics and we are gradually increasing the dose,the antimicrobal treatment we didn’t start yet until her pain stops?Any advise?Until now she is responding good to the supplement and her probiotics.Thank you once more.
Hi Ivan,
It is great to hear that your wife is now responding positively to the elemental shakes. Starting slowly and gradually increasing is key to make sure your body is not having an adverse reaction to any supplements you are taking. With the bleeding gone as well, I am happy to hear she is improving. Other than pain, are there any other reaction(s) after she take the shakes? Some reactions mimic the Herxheimer or Die-Off effect you experience when bad bacteria and yeast are leaving your body. You can learn more about this here: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/bowel-issues-on-an-elemental-diet/
Best,
Savannah B
Customer Care
Hi. I tried the elemental diet before and it worked great. My only challenge was that I had neither constipation nor diara but stopped going to the washroom at all for almost a week and then I stopped the diet. Is it a normal reaction ?
Hi Sabina,
Were you using shakes only, or consuming food along with it? It is normal to have lessened or liquid stool, and you can read more about potential bowel issues here: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/bowel-issues-on-an-elemental-diet/
Sometimes it helps to use broths in conjunction with your elemental diet as well. Here is a recipe for homemade bone broth, and also one for vegetable broth:
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/the-health-benefits-of-broths/
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/vegetable-broths-for-an-elemental-diet/
In good health,
Savannah B
Customer Care
Hi, thank you for your story, it is really fascinating it really gives us hope. I have a question, did you ultimately heal from your issues?