OpenHealth Q&A

Redness on Upper Abdomen After Meals

A 39-year-old male, standing 5'9" and weighing 190 pounds, primarily leads a lifestyle that is mostly inactive but engages in running for half an hour, two times per week. He describes a troubling issue that has persisted for several months: red blotches appear on his upper stomach post meals. On a few occasions, he experienced brief episodes of sharp pain, which were fleeting and did not recur thereafter. This strange skin reaction seems to have begun after altering his diet in November. Initially, he consumed fewer calories than necessary and later found himself overeating, leading to a surplus of 2000 calories in one day. Following this, he noticed that the reddening of his abdomen occurred more frequently, not limited to just after binge episodes. He tried adjusting his caloric intake multiple times and unfortunately dropped it too low, resulting in heightened hunger soon after meals. Throughout this period, he underwent approximately three binge experiences. Prior to November, his diet consisted of moderate protein, a higher carbohydrate intake, and moderate fats, often indulging in desserts or sweet lattes. Since that time, his choices have shifted to cleaner, slowly-digesting carbohydrates, excluding bread and sweets entirely. In late March, he transitioned to a high-fat, moderate protein, and low-carb ketogenic diet. Although he considers the possibility that his high fat intake might be a contributing factor to his abdominal blotching, he feels compelled to continue with keto due to his unmanageable hunger with carb consumption, especially during the evening hours. His dairy intake has increased, yet he has never experienced issues with it in the past. He has been consuming four eggs daily since November but recently omitted them for two days without noticing any improvement in his symptoms. Previously, he supplemented with Betaine HCl alongside NOW Super Enzymes — the latter contains 200 mg of Betaine HCl. He perceived some benefits for his blotching with this regimen; however, he discontinued Betaine HCl after experiencing warmth in his stomach post-ingestion, suspecting his stomach acid levels were sufficient. His current supplementation includes an array of products: 500 mg of Berberine, 600 mg of NAC, 28 mg of Saffron, B vitamins (100 mg B1, 50 mg B2), Curcumin, 500 mg of Quercetin, Zinc and Copper (twice a week), 200 mg of Magnesium Glycinate, 0.25 mg of Melatonin, and L-Glutamine. In terms of digestion, he notes stability in his stools. There was a phase when consuming carbs produced pale, orange, or sometimes loose stools; presently, they are generally brown and solid, with occasional loose stools, which he attributes to high fat consumption. Additional symptoms reported include a sensation of “trapped gas,” which has improved with dietary changes. Prior to adopting his keto diet, he experienced restless sleep but now reports it has become more restful. His fasting glucose levels measured around 5.8 via a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), while his A1C was recorded at 5% in December. Overall, hormone levels are within a normal range. He has a history of hemochromatosis (compound heterozygous) with a current ferritin level of approximately 260. An ultrasound conducted a month or so ago revealed an enlarged liver, but no indications of fat or other irregularities. Additionally, he carries the MTHFR heterozygous variant for C677T and is curious whether his increased egg consumption (from none to four per day starting in November) might have triggered some histamine response. He looks forward to insights regarding the potential causes of the abdominal blotching.

Answers (1)

4/3/2025, 7:40:54 PM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you are experiencing a concerning and persistent skin reaction on your abdomen after meals, which appears to be linked to dietary changes and is accompanied by some digestive discomfort. There are several potential factors that could be contributing to the redness and your overall symptoms, including dietary choices, possible food sensitivities, and your history of hemochromatosis.

Explanation

The red blotches on your upper abdomen may be due to a few reasons:

1. Dietary Changes: Transitioning to a high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet can affect how your body processes fats, potentially leading to reactions if your body is not used to high levels or certain types of fats. As you mentioned, the abrupt shift in diet, including a significant increase in fats and dairy, could be the culprit.

2. Histamine Reaction: The increase in egg consumption and other foods could have triggered a histamine response, particularly if you are sensitive to histamine-rich foods. Many individuals with MTHFR mutations can have histamine intolerance.

3. Overeating Episodes: The binge episodes you've described may have caused temporary digestive distress that can lead to skin reactions, especially if food sensitivity is a factor. The sharp pain episodes, although fleeting, could also relate to your digestive system's adjustment to sudden dietary changes.

4. Inflammation: The combination of increased fats, potential food intolerances, and the underlying condition of hemochromatosis (which can lead to liver stress) may be contributing to an inflammatory response, presenting as redness on the skin.

Next Steps

1. Dietary Review: Consider keeping a food journal to track your intake and symptoms. Pay attention to any consistent patterns, especially after consuming specific foods (like dairy, eggs, or high-fat meals).

2. Gradual Adjustment: If you suspect fats are causing your symptoms, gradually reintroduce carbohydrates or manage fat intake to see if there's an improvement. This trial might help you understand which combination of macronutrients your body tolerates best.

3. Elimination Diet: You may want to try an elimination diet, removing potential allergens such as eggs, dairy, and high-fat foods for a few weeks and then reintroducing them one at a time. Watch for any recurrence of redness or discomfort.

4. Supplements Review: Reassess your supplementation with a focus on reactions to high doses or combinations of any new products, particularly those targeting digestive health. You may not need all of them simultaneously, especially if they're influencing your symptoms.

5. Hydration & Stress Management: Ensure you are well-hydrated, as that can help with digestion and reduce skin inflammation. Considering stress management techniques may also benefit overall health and reduce digestive discomfort.

6. Skin Care: Keep the area clean and moisturized to prevent irritation. If redness persists, consider gentle topical treatments suitable for sensitive skin.

Monitor your symptoms closely and adjust these approaches as necessary. It's essential to make changes gradually and allow your body time to respond. Let me know if you need further details or have any specific questions!