Extreme Discomfort with Vega

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by vrega on September 22, 2010 at 10:23am

Thanks, this is very useful. The WFHO is my only major protein source. I'm 73kg at 5'8 and fairly physically active. I suppose I'll have to figure out some other way to get 73g of protein a day.

Michele Schmidt said:

WFHO in 2-3 smoothies per day, every day for almost 6 months? How many scoops per smoothie? When you went to the doctor for the antacid script, did you disclose to you doc how much WFHO you've been consuming and exactly what is in it? Just one of many possibilities is that you've od'd on Iron. 3 servings of WFHO would give you 54 mg of iron, which is almost 10mg more than the upper limit for an adult. One of the side effects of too much iron is gastro distress: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iron/

Hopefully you disclose to your physician ALL supplements you take -- vitamins, minerals, herbs, even WFHO. When he/she asks if you are taking any medications, this includes all of the above.

Good luck to you.

vrega said:

Hi,

I've had a very similar experience with WFHO. For many months, it has been a great supplement, until September when I got a ton of this stuff in a sale at liquid nutrition, where I usually get it.

I got nasty stomach cramps, gas and acidity and the doctor gave me a regular antacid prescription which helped alleviate the symptoms a bit. I got off WFHO for 2 weeks and the symptoms were almost gone, though my stomach is still recovering from what seems to be an ulcer.

Not sure if this has anything to do with WFHO, but I resumed it today and the nasty cramps returned pretty much exactly as they had started. Since I have been having WFHO (between 2 - 3 smoothies a day) for almost 6 months now, it's strange that I am suddenly experiencing this only now.

I am afraid to try it again now, and I have 3 boxes from the sale lying at home.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Miroki on September 22, 2010 at 10:09pm

Wow. This is so incredibly fascinating. Outside of a discussion regarding gluten intolerance, I haven't read such details about inulin and digestion. I know personally when I started drinking Vega shakes, I drank too large a serving for someone my size so I was often bloated and far too full. But that was the worst of it and I've been better since I took a half scoop out of the 2 scoop serving.

Brad, I would have no idea what advice to give you, and I'm sure other members have given you far more valuable tips. I hope all will go well with you and sort it out. Vega is a good product, but certainly not worth suffering for if it continues. There are plenty of other ways to get all your vitamins and minerals without Vega. I guess if you really wanted to see, I would literally write down all the ingredients, and then get allergy tested for it? That's how I found out I was intolerant to certain ingredients in otherwise healthy food...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jasond on September 29, 2010 at 3:29am

Have you ever been tested for Celiac disease or gluten intolerance? There is currently a gluten issue with the Health Optimizer. I had a sample tested and it came back at 30ppm. Sequel Naturals are supposedly looking into the source of the contamination. You're symptoms are the same as mine and I have celiac disease.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jen James on September 29, 2010 at 8:43am

I also have IBS and this is what I have been doing. I still get days where the IBS flares up a bit, but I think that's due to the huge change in how much fiber/veggies I'm consuming. It's likely a normal reaction that anyone would have with this sort of transition.

I opted to go with straight hemp protein from Manitoba Harvest for smoothies. I throw that in with things like a frozen banana or mango chunks, maybe a little avocado, pineapple, spinach and kale, and if it's a straight fruit smoothie, hemp milk. If it's a green smoothie, apple juice and carrot juice. I usually add in one or more of the following: Chorella, ground flax, macha, acai powder or green tea or rooibos powder.

I know, it's not as convenient as a pre-prepped smoothie, but if you have everything cut in chunks and ready to go it's pretty quick.

~Namaste

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Park on September 29, 2010 at 9:11pm

Have you taken the vega sport protein?!? It is awesome and will help you reach your protein goal
just curious though why do you need so much protein???

vrega said:

Thanks, this is very useful. The WFHO is my only major protein source. I'm 73kg at 5'8 and fairly physically active. I suppose I'll have to figure out some other way to get 73g of protein a day. Michele Schmidt said:

WFHO in 2-3 smoothies per day, every day for almost 6 months? How many scoops per smoothie? When you went to the doctor for the antacid script, did you disclose to you doc how much WFHO you've been consuming and exactly what is in it? Just one of many possibilities is that you've od'd on Iron. 3 servings of WFHO would give you 54 mg of iron, which is almost 10mg more than the upper limit for an adult. One of the side effects of too much iron is gastro distress: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iron/

Hopefully you disclose to your physician ALL supplements you take -- vitamins, minerals, herbs, even WFHO. When he/she asks if you are taking any medications, this includes all of the above.

Good luck to you.

vrega said:

Hi,

I've had a very similar experience with WFHO. For many months, it has been a great supplement, until September when I got a ton of this stuff in a sale at liquid nutrition, where I usually get it.

I got nasty stomach cramps, gas and acidity and the doctor gave me a regular antacid prescription which helped alleviate the symptoms a bit. I got off WFHO for 2 weeks and the symptoms were almost gone, though my stomach is still recovering from what seems to be an ulcer.

Not sure if this has anything to do with WFHO, but I resumed it today and the nasty cramps returned pretty much exactly as they had started. Since I have been having WFHO (between 2 - 3 smoothies a day) for almost 6 months now, it's strange that I am suddenly experiencing this only now.

I am afraid to try it again now, and I have 3 boxes from the sale lying at home.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Frances Worster on October 3, 2010 at 10:08am

I too used to have IBS (in great part also due to a gluten allergy).
I have to say that I've had the same reaction when I tried Vega. I can use Vega Sport, but not Vega WFHO. I make my own shakes with water, fruit, greens, a little high-quality juice, chlorella, MSM, Maca, raw rice protein, flax oil/Vega's oil product, and coconut water. I take separate probiotic and iron supplements (I'm anemic). I guess it might be the inulin, I'm not sure what the problem is for me, but it's better to tailor the nutrition to your body's needs, than to try and shoehorn yourself into a pre-existing product that doesn't work for you!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jasond on October 4, 2010 at 8:02am

Jill said:

Ann,

Thanks for your feedback! If you're looking for a product without inulin, you could try Vega Shake & Go Smoothie: http://myvega.com/products/vega-shake-and-go/features-benefits. It has many of the same great base ingredients as the Whole Food Health Optimizer, without some of the supplements. Alternatively, you could try just a straight hemp protein...

I've passed along your suggestions, thank you - all the best!

Jill

I just tried the Shake &Go. It took less than an hour to turn my intestines to liquid, my classic gluten response. So it's not the FOS that I was reacting to. It's not the extra fiber, I drink green smoothies every day. The person from Vega who had been updating me on the search for the gluten contamination has not returned my last few emails. Unfortunately I'm going to have to give up on Vega. I would advise those with Celiac or gluten intolerance to listen to their bodies.
Jason

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jasond on October 4, 2010 at 1:26pm

I just heard from Sequel. They are continuing to investigate the source of the gluten. I'm told that the levels are always under 20ppm and usually under 10ppm, but that is using a test that might not be entirely accurate. I will keep the board updated.


Michele Schmidt said:

Thanks, Jason. I'm giving up on it too. I thought the nausea was worth the "goodies" in Vega, but I'm sick of feeling sick, even if it is but once a week (I only take Vega once a week). Hours of fighting back vomiting is not my idea of fun, and in fact, I believe my body's way of saying not to force this stuff! The rest of my supply is going in the trash. I appreciate your sharing your experiences with us.


Jasond said, "I just tried the Shake &Go. It took less than an hour to turn my intestines to liquid, my classic gluten response. So it's not the FOS that I was reacting to. It's not the extra fiber, I drink green smoothies every day. The person from Vega who had been updating me on the search for the gluten contamination has not returned my last few emails. Unfortunately I'm going to have to give up on Vega. I would advise those with Celiac or gluten intolerance to listen to their bodies. Jason"

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Melissa Marie Edman on October 4, 2010 at 9:29pm

Vega is a suppliment made from very wholesome food. How often are you using it and how much. Maybe cut your amount in 1/2 until your body gets used to the nutrients in it. Are you exercising as well. That helps me with my IBS.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ronald joseph on July 14, 2011 at 7:20pm

I have been using VEGA HEALTH OPTIMIZER with SOY MILK and a bananna for breakfast everyday not for 4 months and lately have noticed that I have had diarrhea sometimes really bad and a couple of weeks ago I was getting stomach cramps along with the diarrhea.  Now I have the chills and my body has been getting cold and clamy.  I have been dinking the shake every morning and think it's time time to go on a vacation form Vega to see if the symptoms persist.  But it's good tohear that you are getting back to normal because I would like to continue using Vega at sometime in the future to supplement my diet.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tiana Marie on March 7, 2012 at 6:14pm

I started eating a whole foods plant based diet a few months ago and after the initial detox felt great. That recently came to a screeching halt and I started getting severe stomach pains after using Vega WFO or the Performance Protein. Being an athlete this really bothered me, because I love both those products. In addition to the pain I was extremely fatigued, which surprised me given how great I initially felt going to a plant based diet. Thankfully I have been following the Thrive Fitness plan which has a food journal. I began to notice that the pain and fatigue all occurred after I ate wheat, particularly whole wheat (which I often ate with Vega). I decided to eliminate it from my diet and guess what? No pain, no fatigue, etc. since I cut wheat out. I thought it was Vega, but discovered instead a wheat sensitivity. For those of you who used Vega with no issues and then developed issues later, it might be something else keep a food journal and you might be surprised by what you find.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lisa Johnson on January 31, 2013 at 11:38am

I have been using Vega One Vanilla Almond for 2 days and have had horrible stomach cramps.  Since I am also gluten-free, it cannot be wheat intolerance.  Will Vega refund my money?  I think I am just one of those people who cannot take it.

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page