Have you noticed how many foods nowadays seem to have the words 'gluten free' on their packaging? Wonder what all the fuss is about?
It can take a while to comprehend all the information about glutens detrimental effects on our healing ability.
Did you know that experts are now saying that there isn't a single disease that doesn't have an association with gluten sensitivity!
Could gluten be impacting your health?
Most of us were raised on cereals or oats for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, crackers and biscuits for snacks, and pasta for dinner. So you see how easily it becomes to track back how much gluten we've all been ingesting at virtually every meal of our entire lives. Is it a wonder that it's now causing so many problems for so many people?
Initially this topic was overwhelming for me to even consider. Everything I was learning couldn't be true, could it?
The most obvious sources of gluten
Gluten is found in all grains: wheat, barley, rye, oats. Then there's derivatives of these grains like kamut, cous cous, semolina, and others.
And then, there's hidden sources of gluten in dressings, sauces, beer, and other strange places!
Gluten is responsible for the elasticity in texture of products such as breads, pastries, pasta, cereals, cookies.
Let's face it, it sure tastes yummy and one bite is never enough!
The case against gluten
It's difficult to ignore all the negative attention gluten and grains are getting. The case against gluten is very convincing, undeniable actually.
Dr David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain and recipient of humanitarian of the year award (American College of Nutrition) enlightened the world about the prevalence of gluten sensitivity.
As a neurologist, his area of expertise is the brain and nervous system. Through his indisputable research he discovered the impact that gluten had on every neurological disorder.
From depression, headaches, seizures, autism, MS, ADHD, to Parkinson's, epilepsy, dementia, bipolar, and even suicide.
You can watch a very informative interview with Dr Perlmutter and Dr Mercola here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2oMVzbLewk
In fact ALL inflammatory illnesses were linked back to gluten, because ingestion of gluten causes the gut to launch an inflammatory response, on the body's own tissues and organs!
The inflammatory response starts in the stomach lining. Gluten erodes this lining thus making digestion and absorption difficult.
The symptoms of gluten complications are on a continuum and can range from a mild sensitivity to full blown allergy and intolerance.
What's 'leaky gut' got to do with it?
This is where the term 'leaky gut' comes from. This term has been used by natural health practitioners for over 100 years, so it's great to see that finally 'leaky gut' has been recognized by the American Gastroenterology Association.
Leaky gut occurs when undigested particles pass thru into the bloodstream, into the brain causing a further irritation and inflammatory havoc. It's not surprising that one of the first areas that people present with are mental symptoms.
All symptoms of allergy seem to indicate a 'leaky gut' issue also.
How prevalent is it?
Apparently hidden gluten sensitivity can be found in epidemic proportions in some populations.
Holistic doctors now widely claim that everyone has gluten sensitivity and experiences sub-clinical symptoms. This is the reason damage that gluten inflicts can go unrecognized for decades.
It is often difficult to diagnose unless serious tissue damage has already occurred. Apparently 70% of gut lining needs to be eroded before it will show up on tests, and it is only then that a doctor will diagnose it as Caeliac.
What symptoms could your body be giving you??
Are you curious to know which 5 areas of the body are most affected? Watch this short explanatory clip here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp6dEfbbWOg
Carbohydrate addiction
Gluten contains a protein called gliadin which acts as an opiate in the brain as explained by Dr William Davis, cardiologist and bestselling author of Wheat Belly.
Apparently that is why it is so difficult to stop eating these carbohydrates (grains) because they have an addictive effect on our brain.
Watch a fascinating interview with Dr Davis where he discuses the effects of wheat here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGpDduReFOw
Is gluten silently sabotaging your best efforts to heal?
Every time you ingest something containing gluten, and for most of us that's at every meal, your immune system thinks gluten is an invader, and attacks.
Once activated, your immune system can get confused and may then attack structures that are similar to gluten. Our body can mistakenly attack glands and tissues and this is how autoimmune conditions develop.
Is gluten free the solution?
The issue of avoiding gluten isn't as simple as it appears, and it can be a challenging journey.
It's important to mention that the reason why many people who go on a gluten free diet don't get the results they are hoping for is due to cross reactivity.
This is mainly because there are many other hidden ingredients, and foods that your body reacts to in a similar way as to gluten.
Also, many commercial 'gluten free' products are very high glyceamic, which can pose more problems for people with insulin resistance.
Oh boy, there's so much to be aware of. The more you know, the more you realize you don't know. Where does one start?
I guess this reminds me of the famous quote: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step". And that's the only way to look at it.
If you found these insights informative please feel free to subscribe here:
http://www.journeythruwellness.com/my-blog.html
References:
Dr David Perlmutter
http://www.drperlmutter.com/
Dr William Davis
http://www.wheatbelly.com/
Dr Joseph Mercola
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/07/23/why-is-wheat-gluten-disorder-on-the-rise.aspx
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24077239
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