Answers on gluten - and case history

June 2nd, 2008,

I get a lot of questions asking about gluten sensitivity,
celiac disease, and gluten-free foods.

Without going into a medical school definition, a gluten
sensitivity is when your body has a negative reaction to
gluten, kind of like an allergy. Celiac disease, on the
other hand, is a specific genetic intolerance to gluten
that can develop at any age.

The symptoms of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease are
usually similar and can include:

* Digestive problems like pain, bloating, acid reflux,
constipation, diarrhea, gas, nausea, vomiting, and weight
loss or gain
* Fatigue and weakness
* Vitamin and mineral deficiency
* Headaches
* Joint pains
* Irritability, mood swings, depression
* Inability to concentrate
* Skin problems
* Low blood sugar
* Hair loss
* ADD/ADHD or autistic-type behaviors
* Nosebleeds
* Respiratory problems
* Nerve damage
* Seizures
* Easy bruising
* Abnormal menstrual cycles or infertility

With such a wide range of symptoms, celiac disease is
often misdiagnosed.

With the prevailing attitude most doctors have, if someone
came into their office with mood swings, depression and
fatigue, they'd be sent on their way in only a few moments
with a prescription for an anti-depressant, with no thought
whatsoever to gluten.

Sad but true.

With all the possible life-altering and often permanent
side-effects. They still hand them out like candy.

It's worse than sad.

If you suspect you may have a gluten sensitivity or celiac
disease, insist on being tested for it, and if your doctor
won't or can't do it, find one that will. It's that simple.

And to clarify what gluten actually is: Gluten is a
protein found in wheat, rye and barley and all products
derived from them. Sounds easy, but it gets tricky when
you don't see the words wheat, rye or barley spelled right
out.

For example, "wheat" includes: wheat starch, hydrolized
wheat protein, wheat germ, flour, cake flour, bulgur,
semolina, spelt, durum, kamut, graham, farina, couscous,
seitan and matzoh.

Barley also includes malt, malt flavoring and malt
vinegar.

Here is a list of foods that usually contain gluten
(unless they specify they are gluten-free):

* All forms of wheat
* Barley and all its derivatives
* Beer
* Breads, bread crumbs, rolls, biscuits
* Cereal
* Cookies, cakes, cupcakes, donuts, muffins, pastries,
pie crusts, brownies and other baked goods
* Cornbread
* Crackers
* Croutons
* Gravies and thickened sauces
* Imitation seafood
* Licorice
* Marinades
* Pasta
* Pizza crust
* Pretzels
* Rye
* Soy sauce
* Stuffing

Note that celiac disease is commonly associated with other
conditions like Crohn's disease, diabetes, thyroid disease,
ulcerative colitis and lupus. So, it's extremely important
for someone with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity to
combine their foods properly. Eating to maintain easy
digestion and keep acid and toxins low is essential to help
minimize the chances of developing another chronic
condition.

Great Taste No Pain makes it all a breeze. With the
exception of a few breads and desserts, all of my recipes
(in the recipe portion of GTNP) are either naturally gluten-
free or are very easily modified to make them gluten-free.

So if you have a gluten challenge, you can stay gluten-
free, correctly combine your foods, and enjoy every
delicious bite. Let Great Taste No Pain be your guide.
- http://www.greattastenopain.com

To your health,

Sherry

PS: Tambra can now eat spaghetti sauce with no Tums
afterwards:

Dear Sherry,

I just finished my 4th day of your program and I'm truly
amazed! I'm so happy to report that I've been pain free
the entire time of following this eating plan.

The real test was on day two when I ate pasta with
marinara sauce which I absolutely love, but have always
suffered for days after eating it. Usually I've tried to
avoid it and other dishes with red sauce before starting
this plan.

I'm so happy & pleased to be able to say ....I had no ill
effects whatsoever!!! I didn't even have to eat any Tums
that I had become accustomed to eating like candy everyday.

Even my husband has noticed a difference in my attitude.
Before when I was so miserable all the time with the
constant pain everyday, so I wasn't a very happy person.
Now that I feel good, I'm not in any pain anymore, and I'm
a much happier person all together!

I can't stress enough how much this plan is working for
me, and I highly recommend it to anyone that is suffering
the way I was. The plan is so simple to follow! I'm not
even deprived of any of the foods I love.

This is definitely the way I will be eating for the rest
of my life.

Thank you Sherry for making this plan available! I only
wish I could have found out about it sooner.

A much happier wife,

Tambra

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(c) copyright 2008 Holistic Blends