Gluten Intolerance

 

Have you been hearing a lot about gluten intolerance these days?  Have you wondered why humans are suddenly becoming gluten intolerant?  Interesting question!  The gluten we are consuming has been genetically modified, perhaps the reasons can be found here!

Regardless of the reasons, we as a species are having issues with gluten.  How do you know that you are intolerant of gluten?  Here is what you can look for to determine if you should eliminate gluten from your diet.

Signs of gluten intolerance:

 1. Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and even constipation.

 2.  “Chicken Skin” on the back of your arms. This tends be a result of a fatty acid deficiency and vitamin A deficiency.  These deficiencies are attributed to fat-mal-absorption caused by gluten damaging the gut.

 3. Fatigue, brain fog, or feeling tired after eating a meal that contains gluten.

 4. Diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus, psoriasis, scleroderma or multiple sclerosis.

 5. Neurologic symptoms such as dizziness or feeling of being off balance

 6. Hormone imbalances such as PMS, PCOS, or unexplained infertility.

 7. Migraine headaches.

 8. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia.  

 9. Inflammation, swelling, or pain in your joints such as fingers, knees, or hips.

10. Mood issues such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, and ADD.

11. Breakouts like you were a teenager.

The New England Journal of Medicine listed 55 diseases that can be caused by eating gluten.  These include osteoporosis, irritable bowel disease, inflammatory bowel disease, anemia, cancer, fatigue, canker sores, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and almost all other autoimmune diseases. Gluten is also linked to many psychiatric and neurological diseases, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, dementia, migraines, epilepsy, and neuropathy.

Gluten sensitivity creates inflammation throughout the body and has a wide ranging effect on all of your systems including your brain, heart, digestive tract and more.

Fortunately, it has become easier to eliminate gluten from your diet.  Food manufacturers have recognized the problem and are now labeling gluten free food.   Of course, my recommendation would be to make your food from scratch using fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and meat. This makes life a lot easier when you are dealing with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.  For example, many salad dressings contain gluten, but if you make your own you will know that it does not include gluten. 

If you are not suffering serious issues from consuming gluten, I would still suggest that you cut back on your gluten consumption.  I have known individuals who develop serious problems later in life after consuming gluten for 50 plus years.  My contention is that if you are not gluten intolerant yet, if you continue to consume products containing gluten eventually you will have issues.  Start gradually eliminating gluten containing products from your diet and live a healthier, happier life.

Jean Sumner has pursued an interest in wellness her entire life. An avid runner, she is passionate about exercise, eating healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Jean was diagnosed with cancer in May, 2009 this only served to fuel the flames of her passions and encouraged her to learn more about wellness. This diagnosis actually led to the beginning of World Wellness Education with a mission of “Teaching the world about wellness — one story at a time.”

As Jean pursued alternative methods of treating cancer she met countless individuals who had great stories to tell regarding how nutrition, spirituality and exercise helped them to overcome their various illnesses. Since these stories were moving, motivating and timely she thought that each of these stories may make a difference in others’ lives. With the knowledge that we learn from stories more quickly than other teaching methods an organization was born in hopes to make a difference in the well-being of every individual on the planet.

Prior to Jean’s involvement with World Wellness Education she was a bank manager.  With the significant change that was going on in the banking industry, Jean learned that her staff did much better with change if they took it one step at a time.  She has now transferred this learning to the Wellness industry and created small weekly changes that one can make which will lead up to a significant amount of positive change by the end of the year. 

This information is not meant to be medical advice. No action or inaction should be taken solely on the contents of this information. Instead, you should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to your health and well-being.