By Karen Masterson Koch
What do a world class tennis player, actor, teacher, policeman and child next door all have in common? The answer is: a food sensitivity to Gluten!
Understanding gluten and the factors influencing Celiac Disease (CD) will give you the keys to unlock the mystery behind much of the early aging and disease development that affects each child and adult to some degree. Novak Djokovic, the number one tennis player until 2013, winning six Grand Slams, attributed his unmatched ability in sports to eating “gluten free.” Following in his footsteps are excited parents everywhere who are passing on the granola bars and whole grain cereals – allowing the kids to stay off 41 ADHD pharmaceutical drugs, with just a few other dietary tweaks!
Like it or not, the gluten free craze is here to stay because reducing or leaving gluten out of the diet altogether really does allow one to feel better in a short period of time. Doctors are also getting on board with an improved definition of CD. Collective research in 2003, spearheaded by Dr. A. Fasano, MD, gave a better understanding of the broader symptoms that exist with ingesting gluten (through mother’s milk) in newborn babies, throughout childhood and with adults. Previously CD was thought to be rare, with just one in 10,000 cases. At last, this explained why so many patients living with chronic digestive issues (ulcers and failing health), were minimized and written off as psychiatric imbalances.
The classic symptoms of CD are diarrhea and weight loss due to poor digestion, and malnutrition. Surprisingly though, most people with CD experience few or no outward digestive issues, yet other symptoms are present.
- Only about 30% of people diagnosed have diarrhea.
- 20% experience constipation issues.
- 10% actually becoming overweight or obese (not underweight).
- 40% have other health issues related to diet (see list).
Regardless of what type of digestive or health issues one might be facing, the advice is to be suspicious of dietary gluten found in whole grains; wheat, rye and barley. Other similar inflammatory complex carbohydrates cause reactions including oats, brown rice, sometimes corn, many thickeners, refined sugars (honey and stevia are OK) and also milk. To read more about contributing factors to failing health and bowel disease, along with getting some good tips on food replacements using low gluten grains, delicious recipes, plus the most valuable supplements used for health support – check out the self-help book called Beyond Gluten Intolerance GIS, available at your local health food store.
What, the Hull?
Brace yourself for this next fact – the outer fiber from grains tests the highest in the gluten molecule which is made up of protein and carbohydrate! If this confuses you, believe me, you are not alone. The entire world population has been brainwashed to think that the whole grain fiber was the healthiest choice – not the case. Truly it is best to rely on food fibers from fruits, vegetables (non-grain) and beans (as tolerated). Making the switch, you will begin to experience the truth first hand.
Eating the offending foods when sensitive causes gas, bloating and ulcers from the inflammation that takes place primarily in the small intestine, due to poor digestion. As years pass, if this inflammation continues in the gut without making dietary changes or adding supplements, the destruction of tissues in the intestinal tract results in malnutrition. It also allows larger food molecules to circulate through the blood. This elicits systemic flare-ups in the mouth (mouth blisters) and on the skin (skin blisters). A cascade reaction may also occur, referred to as the Gluten Inflammatory Syndrome(GIS), throughout the nervous system, causing other symptoms of CD and reducing body wellness, including:
- Digestive; (all types) diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, gas, bloating, acid reflux, heart burn, swollen belly.
- Immune System Imbalances; (all types) decline and over-active autoimmune.
- Weight Loss & Weight Gain; plus Obesity.
- Anemia; pernicious type and malnutrition induced – lack of B12, Iron, Folic Acid, Protein, Vitamin C, B, E, Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc.
- Slow Development & Pre-Mature Aging; failure to thrive, scoliosis, Osteoporosis, short stature, delayed puberty, dyslexic.
- ADD, ADHD, other learning disabilities, lack of muscle coordination.
- Mental Illness; (all types) anxiety, aggressiveness, Bi-polar, depressive, OCD.
- Skin; (all types) rash, itchy, blistery, bruising, acne, dermatitis, white spots and advanced skin issues.
- Headaches, Allergies & Fatigue.
- Weak Dental Enamel
- Nervous System; tingling, numbness in hands and feet, balance, tremors, asthma, heart palpitations and swallowing.
- Joint Pain
Anemia is one of the most common and important symptoms of CD. Mayo Clinic has elaborated about it as being a culprit behind much of the body fatigue experienced today. Anemia is linked to nutritional deficiencies and is experienced in epidemic numbers across the globe. The World Health Organization classifies anemia as the number one nutritional deficiency facing humans. It is linked directly to the multiple health issues including shortening ones lifespan. Anemia prevents life-giving oxygen from reaching the 100 trillion body cells that build the body. Nutrients that are critical for avoiding anemia and allowing proper functioning of the entire body and nervous system includes B12, Iron, Folic Acid, Protein and Essential Fatty Acids called essential nutrients. Also, the secondary essential nutrients required for complete metabolism for healthy blood cells are vitamin C, B-Complex, E and the minerals, Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc. Ninety –one nutrients are known to be required to cover all the health bases for optimum health of the body, sourced from foods or supplements and a robust digestive system is a must to absorb them into the cells which calls for Aloe. In 2003, research at the University of Davis in California showed a remarkable increase, up to 300% greater in B12, vitamin E and C absorption when taken with a quality Aloe juice.
Today, many people are experimenting with lowering gluten in the diet. It is quite remarkable how quickly energy, focus and health begins to return – especially adding a few natural health shortcuts. Most people don’t have the urgency to get a formal diagnosis. They just want to feel better mentally and physically. In fact, because certain biological markers that may be missing (in advanced cases), a false negative from the routine gluten blood test is common. People are improving their family’s health dramatically without ever getting ay true confirmation of the disease. Feeling better in every category is worth the effort, focusing on improving the dietary choices, digestion and absorption of the foods.
Health Shortcuts for Body Wellness for a Three-Month Trail
- Eat a more Mediterranean Diet; fish, lean meats, beans, red & yam potatoes, raw nuts & seeds (as tolerated), vegetables and fruits in season (organically grown when possible). Hard cheeses in smaller amounts plus butter, eggs and almond milk (unsweetened). Keep dry snacks, fried & junk foods, citrus and tomato products lower.
- Drink a quality whole leaf Aloe Vera juice, dark in color, showing more yellow sap anti-inflammatory agents present (concentrated if possible for strength), or take tablets before meals to increase digestive strength for kids and adults.
- Supplements; Probiotics (milk free), Liquid B12 (under tongue), B-Complex, Omega-3 (fish oil or algae type), Daily Greens (powder or tablet), Multiple Vitamin & Mineral (tablet, chewable or liquid). Children or adults may require a liquid mineral if no yogurt can be eaten without symptoms (Greek type only).
Overwhelmed? Change is never easy, especially with foods and our lifestyles. Peer pressure in families can also be challenging. Do it for you first, don’t try to change the world.
The main regret that is shared from clients is wishing they had begun the renewal diet years before, in childhood! First – focus on eating three meals per day and reduce the quantity of breadstuff, cereals, junk foods and milk. Go with your natural cravings (not addictions) and eat foods that are grown (not processed) and those choices will make a big improvement. Next, get the quality Aloe and Probiotics started with a liquid B12, and then the Greens. Taking a daily greens is “healthy fast food” that decreases hunger and gives the body real nutrition without harm. Focus on one day- then one month and before you know it, in three months brand new cells are built and systems function better in the body very significantly, which allows you to “Feel Good Again” – Enjoy!