Do you feel sick after eating carbs?

Carbohydrates, also known as carbs, are a major source of energy found in food which is essential for most organisms. It is widely referred to as sugars, starches, and fibers found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products. Rice, pasta, bread, and sweets are the common types of food that are rich in carbohydrates.

Overconsumption of carbs tends to cause discomfort in citrin deficiency patients. In most cases, citrin deficiency patients would naturally avoid food with high carbs content subconsciously and in turn, choose to take in food with high fats or protein contents.

“I never really got stressed from thinking why I get sick when I eat rice and noodles. However, it did feel like mud was accumulating in my body when I ate rice and noodles so when I had a choice to choose my own food, I primarily ate the side dish and drank tea or water but not juices.”

– sharing by a citrin deficiency patient (click here to read more)

Citrin deficiency may lead to 1) neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis (NICCD); 2) adaptation/ compensation stage with unique food preference from childhood to adulthood; and 3) rarely, adult-onset type II citrullinemia (CTLN2). The treatment of NICCD aims to prevent the progression of cholestasis, and it includes medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) milk and lactose-free milk, in addition to supplements and medications (e.g., vitamin K2, lipid-soluble vitamins, and ursodeoxycholic acid). [Okano et al 2019] Post infancy, a low carb diet along with the appropriate energy intake is recommended for citrin deficiency patients.

According to a medical treatment guideline prepared by Dr. Yoshiyuki Okano for citrin deficiency patients, these patients tend to show strong and unique food preferences, including the dislike of high carbs food such as rice, sweets, and alcohol while preferring high protein and high fats food such as bean products, dairy products, egg, fish and meat. [Okano et al 2019]

For more details, please read the said medical treatment guideline, titled “Current treatment for citrin deficiency during NICCD and adaptation/compensation stages: Strategy to prevent CTLN2”, published in Molecular Genetics and Metabolism. Citrin Foundation is the sponsor of the study conducted by Dr. Yoshiyuki Okano that helped to prepare this treatment guideline for citrin deficiency. We hope that this paper could serve as a useful and effective guideline for the global medical community in the treatment of citrin deficiency in the future.

Dr. Yoshiyuki Okano is one of the doctors/ researchers who are working with Citrin Foundation in conducting research on citrin deficiency. For more information on research projects funded by the Citrin Foundation, please visit the “Current Research” page.

Disclaimer: Not every case of feeling sick after eating carbs is due to citrin deficiency. Citrin deficiency patients have a higher tendency to present strong food preference/ food aversion, but it does not mean that all patients display the same symptoms. Please consult your doctor if you feel sick after eating carbs.