July 19, 2009

Going Gluten-Free... Is it a Fad?

The Gluten Free Diet is buzzing! I have found people going Gluten Free because it makes them feel better, because they have Celiac Disease or because of Autism. These are all great reasons, but what if you don't have to go Gluten Free? What if going Gluten Free, although it makes you feel good, is causing more problems than doing good? Most people believe that the signs and symptoms of Celiac Disease are frequent diarrhea and extreme weight loss. I DISAGREE! I didnt have weight loss or diarrhea, in fact I had the opposite! Here are some symptoms a person with Celiac Disease may have...
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Irritability or depression
  • Anemia
  • Stomach upset
  • Joint pain
  • Muscle cramps
  • Skin rash
  • Mouth sores
  • Dental and bone disorders (such as osteoporosis)
  • Tingling in the legs and feet (neuropathy)
  • Weight loss
  • Abdominal cramps, gas, pain and bloating
  • General weakness and fatigue
  • Foul-smelling or grayish stools that may be fatty or oily
  • Stunted growth (in children)
  • Osteoporosis
  • Anemia
  • Dermatitis herpetiformis
If you feel going Gluten Free is the way to go, please...
  • See your doctor. There could be something else happening with your body and going Gluten Free may be a temporary solution to a long term issue.
  • Make sure you consult your doctor. If you start eating Gluten Free and the doctor needs to run tests, the results may not be accurate.
  • Make an Appointment with your doctor. You get what I'm saying? If your doctor will not run tests there are places that only charge $30.00 to run a blood test.
I cant stress enough how much you need to see a doctor before going Gluten Free.
Posted by Lindsy Riches (Anti-Glutite) at 11:22 AM
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What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is a disease of the small intestine. The small intestine is a 22 foot long tube that begins at the stomach and ends at the large intestine (colon). The first 1-1/2 feet of the small intestine (the part that is attached to the stomach) is called the duodenum, the middle part is called the jejunum, and the last part (the part that is attached to the colon) is called the ileum. Food empties from the stomach into the small intestine where it is digested and absorbed into the body. While food is being digested and absorbed, it is transported by the small intestine to the colon. What enters the colon is primarily undigested food. In celiac disease, there is an immunological (allergic) reaction within the inner lining of the small intestine to (gluten) that are present in wheat, rye, barley and, to a lesser extent, in oats. The immunological reaction causes inflammation that destroys the lining of the small intestine. This reduces the absorption of dietary nutrients and can lead to symptoms and signs of nutritional, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies.

I found this information at the link below.
http://www.medicinenet.com/celiac_disease/article.htm

BTW I dont claim to be an expert or doctor. This is information I have found or what has worked for me.