I would like to find a diet pill or drink to lose some weight, but I am not sure what to take because I have IC.  I have joined the gym and have 25 pounds to lose.  Are there any supplements that would be ok to use that would not cause an IC flare?

One thing that is interesting in people with IC is that they either have excess weight to lose, or they can’t seem to keep weight on.  Scientifically, we don’t understand enough about maintaining a normal weight yet to truly help people on both sides of the coin, but we are getting there.

There are many physical, genetic, psychological, and emotional reasons why your choice to eat or not eat.  For example, some people can’t physically make themselves eat when they are in a state of stress, and others can’t seem to stop eating.  Since having a chronic illness is definitely a stressful situation, it seems plausible that when someone has a chronic illness they might fall back on their natural tendency to either over-eat or under-eat.  Add to that a special diet that is often perceived as vague, medications that disturb the brain’s satiety centers, and reduced physical activity, and you have a recipe for difficult weight problems.

That being said, there are many things you can do to help get your weight under control.  You have made a great first step in joining a gym.  Many trainers and physical therapists are educated in helping people with limited physical conditions, so investing in a few sessions with a professional trainer can be priceless when it comes to regaining some control over your body.

At this time, I am not aware of any diet pill or drink that can help an IC patient lose weight without the potential to make their symptoms worse.  On the other hand, there are still plenty of things you can do to control your appetite just using food alone:

1. Drink plenty of water: I know, I know, you drink enough water every day to keep a US Navy battleship afloat, but this is one dieting trick that really works.  Water fills you up.  Water is critical for proper digestion and metabolism of foods.  Water helps flush out all the junk that is left over from using stored fat for calories (which is what weight loss actually is.)  And, when a person loses weight, the composition of their urine changes, often increasing IC symptoms.  Drinking plenty of water can help dilute the urine so that those effects are minimized.

2. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables: If you are a person who can’t eat many fruits, concentrate on vegetables.  Include fresh blueberries on your cereal, in a smoothie, or grab a pear to eat on the way to work.  Start each lunch and dinner with a generous green leafy salad topped with a teaspoon of olive oil and herbs.  You can also add pear or blueberry juice to the olive oil to make a tasty dressing.  Need a snack?  Grab some carrots, celery, or sweet pepper strips for a lot of flavor and even more nutrition.

3. Select lean protein: Eggs, chicken, lean beef, lean pork, fish, and low-fat dairy not only provide essential proteins, but provide a feeling of fullness sooner than other foods like white breads, pastries, or creamy desserts.

4. Fill-up on key “non-animal” proteins: Almonds, cashews, pine nuts, and most legumes (beans, pea pods, alfalfa, etc.) are tolerated by a majority of IC patients.  In addition to the protein, nuts provide a generous source of healthy monounsaturated fats, and legumes are a rich source of other vitamins and minerals.  (Exceptions seem to be soy and soy containing products which are infamous for irritating an IC bladder.)

5. Choose your carbs wisely: Studies by Dr. Susanna Holt from the University of Sydney in Australia demonstrated the satiety effects of various foods.  In addition to higher protein foods and produce, the studies confirm that all carbohydrates are not the same.  Throw out the idea that “white foods are bad” and concentrate more on the “whole food” idea.  In fact, the food with the highest level of hunger satisfaction was a whole baked potato – with three times the satiety of a plain piece of white bread!  Other high carbohydrate foods that helped people feel fuller longer were brown rice, whole grain pastas, oatmeal, bran cereals, and popcorn.