AUDREY DICKEY MINISTRIES
Glory International Center
"A Center for God's Presence"
Why are we seeing more and more Gluten-Free products in the stores? Why are so many people going Gluten-Free and looking for healthy substitutes?
WHY GO GLUTEN-FREE:
Celiac disease, also known as Sprue and coeliac disease, is an autoimmune disorder and is a condition that creates inflammation in the small intestine, and damage in the lining. The damage to the lining of the intestine comes from a reaction to eating gluten. Gluten, from Latin gluten, “glue,” is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat. Other grains, like barley, rye and spelt have similarly shaped proteins which can cause the same reaction (listed below) in sensitive individuals. Gluten gives elasticity to dough, helping it rise and keep its shape and often gives the final product a chewy texture. Gluten is also used in cosmetics, hair products, and other dermatological preparations.
Gluten is the composite of a Gliadin and a glutenin, which is conjoined with starch in the endosperm of various grass-related grains. Gliadin, a protein in wheat that causes the afflicted persons immune system to attack its own bowel tissue. This causes villous atrophy, or the erosion of the nutrient absorbing villi that line the small intestine and causes damage to the intestines. Without villi, the person cannot absorb nutrients effectively. This means that no matter how much the person eats, they could end up being malnourished. The good news is when they eliminate gluten foods from their diet, their body starts to repair itself, thus being a treatment for celiac disease. Studies also show that by removing gluten from the diet it also improves memory and brain function. See other benefits of removing gluten and the treatment of it below.
SYMPTOMS OF CELIAC DISEASE THROUGH DIFFERENT RESEARCH STUDIES:
According to the National Institutes of Health, PubMed Health, People with Celiac disease are more likely to have: Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjogren syndrome; Addison’s disease; Down syndrome; Intestinal cancer; Intestinal lymphoma; Lactose intolerance; Thyroid disease and Type 1 Diabetes.
No Symptoms – Not everyone who has celiac disease has symptoms. Even if they don’t have symptoms, they may still have damage to their intestines, resulting in malnutrition that can lead to long-term problems, including anemia, osteoporosis, and even certain cancers.
Children with celiac disease may have: defects in the tooth enamel and changes in tooth color; delayed puberty; diarrhea, constipation, fatty or foul-smelling stools, nausea or vomiting; irritable and fussy behavior; poor weight gain; slowed growth and shorter than normal height for their age.
In adults celiac disease might not always cause digestive problems. Instead, they might have problems with their bones or joints, anemia, depression or anxiety, seizures, reproductive problems, canker sores, skin problems, easy bruising, hair loss, itchy skin with a rash (dermatitis herpetiformis), missed menstrual periods, mouth ulcers, muscle cramps, nosebleeds, and unexplained short height.
Chronic Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, indigestion, gas or bloating. Also you may experience lactose intolerance, nausea and vomiting. For days after consuming gluten, the stomach may be distended and filled with gas. Chronic diarrhea episodes may be smelly, oily, explosive, and painful as well as stick to the toilet when flushed. The color of the stool may be pale or white and typically floats on the surface of the water. On the other hand, some people may be afflicted with constipation. The body may be trying to pull all the nutrients possible from the food as the damaged villi will not work as efficiently. The constipation may be marked by periods of heavy diarrhea as the person consumes gluten.
Weight loss or Gain: Many people who suffer from celiac disease have unexplained weight loss as their body reacts to the missing nutrients. The diarrhea caused by gluten may stall the absorption of calories from the food purging the body from its fuel. Conversely, a sufferer may in fact gain weight instead of losing it. Their bodies may be screaming for nutrients, so they eat in excess to achieve proper nutrition. They may have a hard time losing weight until they restrict gluten from their diet. In addition, if you are consuming alcohol and caffeine it reduces the ability of the body’s fat to be burned.
Fatigue: Fatigue is a common complaint. Undiagnosed celiac sufferers may have their bodies suffer from malnutrition caused by absorption issues. Their body will respond with extreme fatigue and malaise in response. They may crave sugary foods and drink excessive caffeine just to stay energized. After removal of gluten from the diet, fatigue may be the first symptom to be eliminated.
Trouble Concentrating: A person may suffer something called a “brain fog.” This symptom exhibits immediately after eating gluten and can persist for days. The feeling that it gives is confusion, trouble concentrating, and short term memory loss. A sufferer may forget to pick your children up from school or even forget what they are writing mid sentence. This symptom does not persist as a person removes gluten from their diet.
Problems Falling and Staying Asleep: A person may commonly suffer from disordered sleeping, regardless if the rest of their diet is healthy or not. Sleep disorders are more common to those suffering from celiac disease vs. the rest of the general population. The disordered sleeping can be shown through an inability to fall asleep, and being unable to stay asleep. The study found that the cause of the inability to sleep well include depression, fatigue and anxiety.
Numbness and Tingling: Many celiac sufferers exhibit neuropathic symptoms. Problems with the neuropathic system can affect gross and fine motor control and sensory nerves. An undiagnosed celiac disease sufferer may find their extremities exhibit nerve problems. This can include a tingling sensation in the hands and feet, ranging from mild to “fallen asleep.” Conversely, they may not feel anything in their hands and feet, as numbness is a common complaint. Other parts of the body may be affected, such as the facial muscles and body nerves.
Connection between the Gut and the Brain: Experts have already found that gluten sensitivity is associated with decline in memory power and neurological health conditions such as Parkinson’s, ADHD, and Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, gluten sensitivity is a condition that causes inflammation and can directly affect a person’s immunity to disease, as well as the brain, causing various symptoms including deterioration of memory power, extreme headaches, difficulty in concentration and brain fog. The results of the study show that eliminating gluten-rich foods helps to heal the gut and treat the symptoms that are linked to celiac disease.
A GLUTEN-FREE LIFESTYLE:
MANY HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS FOODS ARE NATURALLY GLUTEN-FREE AS LISTED BELOW AND MORE IN VARIOUS RECIPE BOOKS:
Beans, Seeds and Nuts in their natural, unprocessed form
Fresh eggs
Most Dairy products
Real Cheese
Lean protein (not breaded, batter-coated or marinated)
Fish (not breaded, batter-coated or marinated)
Poultry (not breaded, batter-coated or marinated)
Fruits
Vegetables
Flavorings are usually gluten-free but can contain wheat or barley. By law wheat would have to be labeled
GRAINS AND STARCHES:
Spices are gluten-free if there is no ingredient list on the container, only the pure spice
Quinoa
Flax
Rice
Amaranth
Arrowroot
Gluten-free organic cereals
Gluten-free oatmeal
Millet
Buckwheat
Corn and cornmeal
Gluten-free flours (rice, almond, potato, bean, etc.)
Hominy (corn)
Sorghum
Tapioca
Teff
It’s important to make sure that they are not processed or mixed with gluten-containing grains, additives or preservatives. Some food labels include a “may contain” statement if there is a chance of cross-contamination (gluten-free foods that come into contact with foods that contain gluten. It can happen during the manufacturing process). It can also take place in the home if you use the same toaster to toast gluten-free bread products and regular wheat or rye bread.
SOME FOODS THAT HELP FLUSH GLUTEN FROM THE BODY:
Ginger (also in capsule form)
Apples
Lemons
WHEN ON A GLUTEN-FREE DIET:
AVOID ALL FOODS AND DRINKS CONTAINING:
Wheat
Barley (malt, malt flavoring or natural flavoring and malt vinegar are usually made from barley);
Pearl Barley; Barley extracts
Rye (usually only in rye bread not used for processing)
Triticale (a cross between wheat and rye)
AVOIDING WHEAT CAN BE CHALLENGING BECAUSE WHEAT PRODUCTS GO BY NUMBEROUS NAMES IN THE MARKET PLACE:
Bromated
Enriched
Phosphated
Plain and self-rising
Flour
Bread Flour
Modified Food Starch
Wheat Flour
White Flour
Whole Wheat Flour
OTHER WHEAT PRODUCTS TO AVOID:
Bulgur
Durum floor
Farina
Graham floor
Kamut
Semolina
Spelt
Oatmeal (Gluten - Free included)
Oat Bran (Gluten - Free included)
AVOID UNLESS LABELED ‘GLUTEN-FREE’ OR MADE WITH RICE, ALMOND OR OTHER GLUTEN-FREE GRAINS:
Wheat Breads
Cakes and pies
Candy (including licorice)
Cereals
Cookies and Crackers
Matzo
Croutons
French fries
Pastas
Gravies
Frozen Dinners
Vegetables in sauce
Imitation meat or seafood (veggie Burgers, veggie meats)
Hot Dogs and Sausages
Processed luncheon meats, Deli meats
Salad dressings when contains modified food starch
Sauces
Ketchup
Yogurt
Some milk products
Soy sauce (some brands don’t include wheat)
Seasoned rice mixes
Seasoned snack foods, such as potato and tortilla chips
Self-basting poultry
Soups and soup bases
Pickles (malt vinegar made from barley. Corn based vinegar is ok)
Certain Vitamins or Supplements
Medications
Flavored potato chips
Ice Cream
Beer (barley)
Certain grains, such as oats, can be contaminated with wheat during growing and processing stages of production. For this reason, doctors and dietitians generally recommend avoiding oats unless they are specifically labeled gluten-free.
BE ALERT FOR OTHER PRODUCTS THAT YOU EAT OR THAT COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT MAY CONTAIN GLUTEN:
Food additives such as malt flavoring, modified food starch and others
Medications and vitamins that use gluten as a binding agent
Play dough
EXAMS AND TESTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE:
Bone density
Cholesterol (may be low)
Complete blood count (CBC – test for anemia)
Comprehensive metabolic panel
Folate level (serum)
Iron level (serum)
Prothrombin time
Vitamin B12 level (serum)
Vitamin D level
Blood tests can detect antibodies, called antitissue transglutaminase antibodies or anit-endomysial antibodies (EMA) which may help detect the condition. The health care provider will order these antibody tests if celiac disease is suspected.
If the tests are positive, upper endoscopy is often performed to sample a piece of tissue (biopsy) from the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). The biopsy may show a flattening of the villi in the parts of the intestine below the duodenum.
Genetic testing of the blood can also be done to help determine who may be at risk for celiac disease. A follow-up biopsy or blood test may be ordered several months after the diagnosis and treatment.
If you choose to be tested you should not begin the gluten-free diet before you are diagnosed. Starting the diet will affect testing for the disease because the body would have already begun to heal itself.
TREATMENT:
A good nutritionist or naturopathy doctor will also be able to assist with a diagnosis, all natural supplements and a gluten-free diet or
eating lifestyle.
Furthermore, your symptoms will go away and the villi in the lining of the intestines will heal if you follow a gluten-free healthy eating lifestyle. Do not eat foods and beverages or take medicines that contain wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats. (You can purchase gluten-
free oats).
Celiac disease is a condition that creates inflammation in the small intestine, therefore, one of the leading products on the market that fights inflammation having over forty (40) anti-oxidants is www.xangojuice.com; Xango Juice is not only delicious but effective! All natural, and on the overall will not interfere with prescribed medications because it is all natural. It is suggested that if you are on medication to monitor it because you may have to adjust the amount of medication because the prescribed amount may no longer be required.
Another product that fights inflammation but is grown in mineral-rich soil and that has forty-six (46) anti-oxidants and ninety (90) nutrients and comes in a bottle of 120 vegetarian capsules is called Dead Sea Moringawww.deadseamoringa.com It is a superior natural source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and delivers increased energy, focus and strength to the immune system for those seeking overall health and wellness. It too offers a number of benefits including reduced joint inflammation and pain, strengthening of the immune system, blood sugar regulation, cleansing of the body’s system from heavy metals and toxins, natural replacement for dark leafy green vegetables when they are unavailable and much more! You can also call 855-208-6302 to place an order.
SEEK HOLY SPIRIT FOR HEALING AND DIRECTION:
The medical field is very good at diagnosing symptoms and giving it a name, but there is One name that is above every name and that is the name of Jesus! For who the Son has set free is free in deed! What is impossible with man is not impossible for God!
The Lord’s prayer for our health for each and every one of us is: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers,” 3 John 2 AMP. Your bold confession should be: I pray that I may enjoy excellent health and that all may go well with me, even as my soul (my mind, will and emotions) stays well and prospers.
“Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains… But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and whole,” Isaiah 53:4-5 AMP; Matthew 8:17; I Peter 2:24. Your confession is: I boldly rebuke any illness and receive now the healing and wholeness that Jesus paid for me to have!
“And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you,” Romans 8:11. Your confession is: I boldly declare (regarding that part of your body which is being attacked by the enemy) and quicken (restore life and make alive my mortal body by His Spirit that dwells in me designed to bring life to my bones and heal my cells) and speak life, wholeness, and total restoration now in Jesus’ name, Amen.
May the God of hope fill me with all joy and Peace as I trust in Him, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, Romans 15:13 NIV.
REASONS YOU MAY NOT WANT TO GO GLUTEN-FREE
This diet is not for everyone, according to the Harvard Health Blog. If you are not sensitive to gluten and you give it up, it may just be a more expensive way to eat. Going gluten-free can actually cause you to miss out on necessary nutrients, in particular folate, which is found in fortified grains. Most gluten-free foods are not fortified with folate, according to Fitness Magazine.
CONCLUSION:
If you do want to go gluten-free, take a multi-vitamin including B-12 which will give you the folate your body needs. A liquid multi-vitamin or capsule is recommended because it will be absorbed faster with better results than dry ingredients such as large vitamin pills or tablets.
Avoiding gluten is a challenge, but it can be done. There are still options to choose from a host of foods (see above list of foods that are gluten-free) giving you more choices while protecting your health. Today, more gluten-free products are on the market than ever before as people are becoming aware of glutens sides effects mainly because wheat is processed differently than years prior.
It may be a little difficult at first to change your diet (eating lifestyle) because wheat and barley grains are common in the American diet. However, over time, most people are able to adapt and feel better and enjoy a healthy eating lifestyle while maintaining delicious food choices.
Compiled by Audrey L. Dickey, PhD
Christian Love Fellowship Church, Inc.
July 1, 2014
References:
National Institutes of Health, PUBMED Health
The Mayo Clinic
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Study published with Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Dr. Don Colbert, M.D. and Nutritionist
WHY OR WHY NOT A GLUTEN-FREE LIFESTYLE
Dr. Audrey L. Dickey, Los Angeles, CA