Aren't Celiacs Supposed to be Skinny?

Many of those who suffer intestinal disease such as Celiac Disease cannot understand the mysterious weight gain, and sometimes inability to drop pounds after diagnosis. Aren't we all supposed to be anorexic and gauntly in appearance? Weight gain should not be a problem for us!

Contrary to that popular belief, about 39% of Celiacs battle unwanted bulge. One explanation is our inability to absorb some nutrients and not others, for instance we may be able to absorb some vitamin C but cannot absorb the B vitamins. This, according to www.glutenfreeworks.com, causes us to crave foods with those nutrients, and it can send us on an over-indulging frenzy. They explain, "Undigested nutrients that are not absorbed are then dumped into the colon where bacteria ferment them into short chain fatty acids which are then absorbed into the body and stored as fat because the body doesn’t need all that energy. For example, if unabsorbed proteins are fermented in the colon, the body will get the protein for use in muscle repair or enzyme production or hormones. Instead it will receive energy, in the form of fatty acids, in greater amounts than the body needs."

Another explanation is that gluten free food is not always healthy and balanced. When we are diagnosed we go through a psychological change regarding food. Suddenly we want what we cannot have and we are pissed about it. Even though we may not have even LIKED bran muffins before or sandwhiches or lasagna... now this mental and emotional process is telling us we are victims and we should deserve to have those things. So when we are shopping up and down the gluten free isle in Wholefoods and spot some muffins in the freezer that are gluten free, we throw 4 in our cart like they're free and we've never eaten before. And, oh look! Gluten free donuts? Cookies!? Cake? Animal crackers! Pound cake mix!? oooooh gluten free oreos. SCORE. But even the "healthy" gluten free items are packed in sugar and simple carbohydrates. Because they cannot use whole wheat flours, they are stuffed with high starch flours such as tapioca, potato, corn and soy flours. All of which are processed into your body as sugar and eventually stored as fat.

Also, I have even heard some people say that in order to LOSE the weight, they are going to just start eating gluten and hitting up the bottomless pasta bowls at Olive Garden.

Makes sense, right? Because when we were sick, any gluten in that amount would just come right on out the other end. We can suffer a few weeks of discomfort, sweating and napping on the toilet, no problem.

But then... that doesn't happen and instead you become constipated. Now wait a minute! You should be puking and crying on the toilet! But you're not. Sorry. That technique won't work either. If you are malnourished, like most Celiacs are, and you consume gluten during a time you are not having a Celiac "outbreak" (probably because your body has begun to heal since you started eating GF), your body will react differently than when you were at your sickest. Your body will get angry.

If you crave gluten, it's probably the amino acid glutamine that you are starving for. Gluten protein has a large quantity of glutamine, that - in healthy people- is easy to get by eating whole grains and fibers. But Celiacs can't touch that stuff and we are often very deficient in glutamine. So get a probiotic or l-glutamine supplement to take each day with your vitamins and those cravings will subside in a week or so.

Celiac Disease & Diabetes

Is there going to be a new mandatory Celiac test for those being diagnosed with diabetes? More research is being done but some numbers are showing us a significant connection between the two problems. First of all, we have to understand the base number (scary) that 1 out of 133 (some studies are showing 1 out of 100 in America) people have Celiac Disease. Out of those, only FIVE PERCENT are diagnosed. So with that in mind let's look at three other numbers: 25% of new diagnosis of Celiac in America are in patients age 60 and over. Six percent of those with type I diabetes have Celiac. One out of 125 of those with type II diabetes have Celiac.

Imagine the change in those numbers if everyone who had Celiac Disease were diagnosed, not just 5% of them. Also, diabetics who have a family history of Celiac Disease increase their chances of having Celiac Disease 5-15% than the average, healthy American with European ancestry.

According to the mayo clinic, symptoms of Type II Diabetes are (1) increased thirst (2) fatigue (3) increased hunger (4) weight loss (5) blurred vision and (6) sores that do not heal well.

Some of those symptoms mimic those of Celiac Disease. So will we see an increasing trend of Celiac testing for those with diabetes? One article regarding some research at Ottawa Research Hospital says "A research team led by Dr. Fraser Scott recently screened 42 patients with type 1 diabetes and found that nearly half showed an abnormal immune response to wheat proteins." Dr. Scott suggests that "people with certain genes may be more likely to develop an over-reaction to wheat and possibly other foods in the gut and this may tip the balance with the immune system and make the body more likely to develop other immune problems, such as diabetes.”

This basically states that a gut reaction to gluten or wheat can dismantle our immune system entirely and leave us prone to other autoimmune diseases. So undiagnosed celiac can lead to the development of diabetes.

Why wait for the diabetes to be diagnosed before testing for celiac? Should we begin to make celiac testing a mandatory issue, such as sickle cell? If you are an American with European ancestry and there is a family history of diabetes, osteoperosis or cancer... should we offer tests for celiac the same way we offer immunizations to children? And with that in mind, don't you think its TIME we figure out an accurate, trust-worthy test for Celiac Disease?

Could You Have Candidiasis?

Candida is a parasitic yeast fungus that can affect the mouth, throat, intestinal tract as well as genitals. Normally harmless, this fungus can wreak havoc on your immune system if you are lacking enough good bacteria to neutralize it. Those with Celiac Disease and other forms of intestinal disease or disorders are prone to this fungal attack in the intestines, and without much knowledge of your body, it can continue on and get worse. If you suffer any intestinal problems, you may disregard your candida as the run-of-the-mill gastrointestinal symptoms you normally suffer. Whether you have a wheat allergy or intolerance, Celiac Disease, IBS, dairy intolerance, colitis or Crohn's, you could be wondering what you ate that is leaving you with chronic symptoms. This can drive you crazy if you are certain to be on top of your diet like a dominatrix with a snappy whip.

Symptoms include: headaches, night sweats, diarrhea, brain fog, mood swings, bad breath, heart burn, muscle pain, or chronic cough, allergies or sinus infections.

Half of these symptoms are also related to every other intestinal dysfunction that affects the immune system. And be honest, pretty much everything we eat plays one role or another on our immune system so we could blow most of that off as a "bad burrito" or food poisoning... or "man, I guess I should lay off the onions". Long, lingering and chronic symptoms tend to become a part of you and you just get used to it and blow them off. Allergies, headaches, heart burn... everyone deals with that, so why be such a hypochondriac and force your doctor to investigate something so common?

Once candida begins to weaken your immune system, this creates a neat environment for it to spread and multiply like early 20th century immigration- and you are Ellis Island. Come on in fungus! Just sign your name here while I continue to take antibiotics and eat nasty crap so you can breed!

Men & women get candida in the same numbers. Prolonged use of antibiotics and other medications can leave you prone to candida, as well as pregnancy and long term unhealthy diets. It is often overlooked and requires testing to diagnose, but a study revealed that more than 70% of Americans have this.

If you have been wondering why your headaches persist, or why you continue to have intestinal discomfort despite being gluten-free, this could be your answer. Maybe not, but it's a proactive and good idea to go and get checked.

You can simply handle this issue by eliminating carbs, starches and sugars from your diet and taking a GOOD probiotic.

After a few weeks you may find yourself saying "hmm... I haven't had a headache in a while. and weird, I have more energy". Go figure, you just killed off a ton of fungus in your intestines and are now able to digest nutrients.

Time to put your complaints aside and assume that because you are gluten intolerant or have intestinal disease that you will just "deal" with the unsavory side effects for the rest of your life. "Oh, I hate the brain fog and chronic fatigue and I can't eat this because it makes me jittery and the medications for indigestion don't work...". If you are reading this, then you're not allowed to make excuses anymore. Or complain! You now have a new avenue to approach and possibly solve all of those problems for good.

Now put your gluten free pizza down and stick a vegetable in your mouth.
(Heaven forbid)

Try this saliva test. It's a simple at-home test that can determine if you have candida. When you wake up in the morning, before you drinking anything or brushing your teeth, work up some saliva and spit it into a clear glass of water. Within 1-30 minutes, look in the glass. If there are strings coming down from your saliva, or if the water turned cloudy, or if your saliva sank to the bottom, then you may have a candida issue. You've got nothing to lose by following a grain, starch, dairy and sugar free diet for a while. In fact, whether you have candida or not... following that diet is sure to clear SOMETHING up. Like deform your stomach from the permanent shape of a birthday cake.

Need tummy relief? Call Ginger!

A lot of studies and homeopathic trials have shown that ginger can settle the stomach. If you think you have been cross contaminated or ingested gluten and those tell-tale gut problems begin to show their ugly (and stinky) face, try popping in come ginger candy or tea. People's Pharmacy sells the candies and the Persimmon-Punch (which is a lovely cocktail of ginger and cinnamon).

I, personally, have not tried this. So, in fact, I'm endorsing an idea that I do not have any personal experience with. However, I have heard of this remedy for years and was told when I was pregnant and feeling nauseated to try ginger. I never did... because I'm stubborn and emotionally unstable when pregnant, so my theory was that simply whining and complaining should solve the problem. And if it didn't, then that meant everyone was out to get me. This past weekend I had a bad stomach as a result of drinking a liquor that was likely not gluten free. I was paying the price the next day. So I did my research about this ginger miracle and will be getting the tea and candies to keep in my purse just incase this happens again!

Which it won't. Because I'm perfectly careful and never make gluten mistakes.
(eye roll)

Major brand manu's that are GF

I stumbled upon a great website that lists major brand foods according to category and whether they are gluten free. http://www.glutenfreeinfo.com/Diet/S-FoodList.htm

The site is very simple and intuitive to navigate. Nothing fancy, but just another person trying to make things easier for Celiacs and those who need to live a gluten free lifestyle.

This is your brain on gluten

Our brains have glial cells that make up nearly half of the brain's mass, and are recognized for causing immune function reactions/inactions. In other words, when "poked" by stimulation, these cells are activated to send or transmit information from the brain to other parts of the body. If poked the wrong way, it's sending a bad message. If a person who is gluten intolerant, has a wheat allergy or suffers from Celiac Disease eats gluten... well then you are just pissing off your glials. Way to go.

When gluten is ingested, the glial cells are activated (and irritated) and this can snowball into what others have, for years, had no explanation for. Brain fog, lack of concentration, depression or poor mood swings. As well as many other psychiatric symptoms that seem to go hand-in-hand like moon-gazing lovers with the intestinal symptoms, even asthma or rashes and headaches. Fun, right?

Just say no.

Athletes & Gluten

Below this posting is a great article in Running Times that illustrates the benefits of being gluten free (even if you are not officially diagnosed) when you are a runner. This could go for triathletes and those in other sports who like to "carb up" before the big event.

A lot of times us runners think or attribute all our race "issues" to the adrenaline. But in fact the numbness, repeated bathroom breaks, asthma attacks and itchiness could be from loading up on pasta and bagels.

I've been gluten free for almost 11 years now and perform about ten races a year. I still get that adrenaline feeling before a race, and understand the jitters and excitement that go along with it. But if I am having more problems than I should, then I know I've done something wrong in my diet. Were those nuts roasted or raw? Was it a new shampoo or sunscreen that is not gluten free causing me to itch?

For those with Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance, these factors CAN and certainly will effect your performance so make your checklist days in advance to be sure you can perform at your best! People who have experienced these quirky physical race jitters may notice that a gluten free diet 1-2 weeks prior to race day will improve those symptoms and leave them clear to perform.

http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=11856&PageNum=&CategoryID=

It's important to note that if you are competing in events or you are an active athlete, that your body does need some source of carbohydrates to fuel that energy. Trial and error never hurt anybody as long as they substituted something in place of what they are eliminating. Rice and rice flours are good carb sources if you're looking for an alternative.

By the way, can someone get #26 a towel?

They think we're crazy!

Honest to Pete, y'all. If I had a nickel for every time a pediatrician, teacher, fellow mom or even family member looked at me like I had 4 heads, I'd be the bread winner in this family. Why would they do that (you're probably wondering because I'm so beautiful... oh stop). Because I explain to them, plead with them, inquire, request, beg, discuss (name it) our ongoing battles and journey with gluten. Sure, I think by now everyone can understand why I choose not to eat it. It will kill me. Understandable, totally maybe. But why on earth would I put my children, those precious, innocent girls through such a limited diet of deprivation!? Why? I might as well lock them up in a cold, damp dungeon and throw rice at them 3 times a day while cackling and poking their hungry bellies.

Listen to me, I prayed the second I got pregnant with the first child that I would never pass on my medical problems. I know the chances of Celiac Disease being sent down genetically and the continued mystery of where *I* got it haunts me as I am the only one in my family to be diagnosed and confirmed with it. Yet, I know I got it from someone! And no one in my family will go and get tested! (I think I just grew hair on my back typing that out. Maybe that's another side effect of Celiac... we turn into werewolves when we're angry, which might explain the increasing werewolf population in the US). So here I am, unaware of WHO sent down those CD genes to me; my mom? Dad? Both? And what siblings might have it? I could wager a strong bet on one of them. But I don't know! And I happen to be the only one in my family having children, which means I am passing on the genetic marker for this disease and I HAVE to investigate and stay in tune to this. I will follow it and haunt my kids until they are 50 if I have to.

I'll tell you what, though. Being overly cautious and suspicious is not crazy. I spent my entire life sick. In and out of hospitals, anxious, depressed, confused, out of energy, lacking sleep due to insomnia, missing school because I had at least 1 bad migraine a week not to mention infections that would spread and no one could tell me what was wrong other than I was weak or sensitive or whiney. I can't let that happen to my kids; they need to live a normal life. They should thrive in school, be with friends. My 5 year old is already have regular headaches and painful bowel movements as well as anxiety and trouble sleeping and the 2 year old has had chronic ear infections with 2 tube surgeries and 1 surgery to remove adenoids and has had a distended belly since she began solids.

Why would anyone question me as to my intentions in providing them a gluten free life? They do better on a gluten free diet? Whether they medically need it or not, they feel and look BETTER. Statistically, if they do not have Celiac Disease there is such a high risk and chance that they have at least a gluten intolerance (lower grade reaction) or wheat allergy simply because they came from me and I breastfed them.

I wish that I were a scientist and could explain it all in graphs, charts and everyone would say "OH!" and that figures. I would never make my family eat gluten free simply to be mean or deprive them. But I see a clear, tangible difference in both of my kids when I do. Sometimes I feel that my husband would benefit from a gluten free lifestyle but I know he would NEVER do it. It took him 8 years to agree to having a gluten free house! He is very supportive but the man loves his carbs.

Hopefully people will begin to understand that this isn't a "fad" and respect those who eat gluten free just like you would a vegetarian or vegan. Whether it's because you have to due to Celiac Disease or because you choose to; we're not crazy for taking a journey into better health.

Gluten Free is the New Sexy

When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease back in 2001, I had already been down a long road to reach that diagnosis. I had medical records that would break your back if you tried to carry them. But since I was around 7 years old, no one could figure out my issue other than "weak immune system" or hypochondriac or "whiney". By the time I was in my teens, even I bought into the notion that all my suffering could be in my head and felt I had to invent reasons why I hurt a certain way or felt a certain way, because the most obvious answer was usually discredited and I instinctly began to overlook the obvious as well. At that point, I just seemed crazier than I was before. Feeling faint in church and not being able to stand a long time would turn into me claiming I had a possible sprained ankle? What the heck else could it be? Why couldn't I stand in church? But my ankle didn't really hurt. Something was wrong though but how do you tell your parents (your very religious and devout Lutheran parents), who already think you're crazy, that for no apparent reason you cannot stand in church without feeling sick or faint? Ludicrous. It just became normal for me to feel so many ways and go through certain things, that I wouldn't even mention 90% of my problems to doctors for fear of sounding nuts. If I got mono or an ear infection (again!), fine. But constant rashes, painful periods, migraines, fatigue, depression, hair loss, horrible acne, weight loss, weight gain, bloating and gas, joint pain, and silly things like my hands or toes tingling out of nowhere, hearing going in and out, spasms in my eye, dry mouth etc. I'd already learned not to complain or mention stupid stuff like that, but what the hell was it? Does it happen to everyone else? Is that shit normal? But I just shrugged oh well and moved on until something major happened; like in 2001. I had an auto accident and my car rolled over several times. Afterwards I just could not recover at all. I lost so much weight and had a ton of GI problems. One doctor accused me of making myself throw up; which wasn't a far fetch because I did have a history of anxiety and eating disorders (another common link to CD). I finally asked to see a doctor who specializes in tummies (I had to ASK) and at that point my life changed. He took one look and ordered an endoscopy and I've been gluten free for 10-1/2 years due to Celiac Disease.

Back then the medical community or society as a whole did not know much about Celiac and even the specialist who diagnosed me gave me zero guidance other than "google it online and don't eat wheat". Those were his instructions! Literally! My mother and I did so much research and luckily had websites to guide us, but in 2001 there were few gluten free product options. Bread fell apart when you picked it up and it tasted like cardboard and nothing was labeled. It took me a good 4 years to reduce my cravings and temptations. I was even told by a doctor in Washington DC that I had Crohn's because I just was not getting better and my large intestine was so damaged. Turns out I DO NOT have Crohn's Disease, but further research (now) is showing that Celiac, when left untreated for a long time after it 'erupts') can go into the large intestine, whereas before, and still, it is known as a disease of the small intestine). When I was diagnosed with Crohn's, I was told to follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which I did... and never felt better in my life. I've been on/off it since and swear by it.

Nowadays, Gluten Free is the new sexy. 1 out of every 133 people in the United States is said to have this disease but only 5% are diagnosed. It takes an average of 11 years to diagnose CD, and most tests are inaccurate. This is why we are hearing a lot about wheat allergies and gluten intolerance because people are coming back with negative test results but feel better on a gluten free diet. In 10 years, the products and awareness has increased dramatically which is good for me! But at the same time, it's getting negative feedback from naysayers who think that gluten free is some "fad". This is a dangerous line of thinking and judgement, as this is how I've been "poisoned" in restaurants a few times. Gluten free? "Oh, that condescending hippie thinks she's above everyone else so she can force us to cater to her special diet. Whatever". It's not a "diet". It's my TREATMENT. And it has made me incredibly sick when wait staff and cooks have this attitude.

I am proud of society as a group for getting educated about gluten and how it can effect you entirely. I am proud of parents who have figured out that a gluten free diet has improved their ADD children's behavior and social life, and I'm proud of those who choose to live a gluten free lifestyle because they are so aware and focused with their bodies enough to know how it effects them. They stand up and say "No, I do not have celiac disease, but I know that I am more focused and energized when I am gluten free"... that is amazing that a person can be that internally instinctual about their health, and nothing is wrong with that! And I am proud of the Celiac community for organizing so much awareness in the last decade.

It's damn sexy!