Good Morning!
Hope your day is off to an amazing start! 🙂
Since we have added “No-Wheat” challenges to our LYL programs we have seen a significant increase in our client’s fat loss results, especially in the belly area. In addition to increased energy, better sleep patterns, decreased joint pain, glowing skin, lower stress levels and less bloating and discomfort. Many of our clients feel so GREAT after just 1 week of eliminating gluten and wheat from their diets that they have opted not to reintroduce it. Here is a great article from my Naturopathic friend Mark Kibyuk that will provide you with a deeper insight into gluten sensitivity and how you can help your body heal.
Take it away Mark! 🙂
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Thanks Courtney!
There is a huge shift going on right now in the world of grains, many people are noticing some symptoms and disease signs that can be associated with gluten and wheat allergies. Due to the popularity of books like Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis, which outlines manifestation of wheat and gluten`s harm on the digestive and immune systems the topic is on everyone`s mind as of late. Many people have been tested for celiac disease which is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs in genetically predisposed people of all ages from middle infancy onward. This autoimmune reaction is caused by the gluten protein and its symptoms include chronic diarrhoea, failure to thrive (in children), and fatigue.
What is gluten?
Is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat and related grain species, including barley and rye. Gluten gives elasticity to dough, helping it rise and keeps its shape and often gives the final product a chewy texture.
Where is gluten found?
Glutein is found in a number of products mainly in grain or bread foods. Breads that have gluten include: white, whole wheat, multi grain, spelt, kamut, ancient grains, sour dough, rye, barley, wraps, bagels, English muffins. Many popular breakfast brand cereals contain gluten as well as, pancakes, waffles, pasteries, cookies, nutragrain bars, and granola bars. Other foods that have gluten are: malt vinegar, terriaki sauce, breaded chicken, anything breaded, such as chicken fingers, chicken, fish, mozza sticks, sauces which have been thickened, like gravy, cooking sauces, cream based sauces, dipping sauces, and food dips. Pasta is known to have gluten; people with sensitivities should avoid these types of foods. Gluten may also be found in some cosmetics, hair products, and other dermatological preparations.
What are some signs and symptoms of intolerance?
Many people go far too long having symptoms without getting them looked at. Gluten sensitivity can show like other daily struggles, like fatigue, headache, ear ache, mental fatigue, cloudy thoughts, difficulty with memory, joint pain, stiffness, muscle cramps, bad breath, digestive symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, belching, difficulty losing weight that has been gained, as well as unexplained weight gain, and water retention, as well as an overall feeling of unwell
What can I do to fix this problem?
You may be wondering if you have gluten sensitivity, your MD can order some tests which can determine if you have an antigen (immune marker) in your blood that would show gluten sensitivity, they may also do an endoscope and look for intestinal inflammation and ulcerations. However this does not have to be done to determine if you have gluten sensitivity. You can simply follow an elimination diet, which means to eliminate the known substances of gluten for a given period of time such as 2-3 weeks and note your symptoms after this is done. If it is known that you have sensitivity to gluten, the only true way to eliminate the symptoms is to stop eating the substances that contain gluten, there are many great grains, and recipes that one can follow to help with this condition. There are also many supplemental support systems which will help your body rid this issue of chronic inflammation in the intestine. Naturopaths can help the body heal by introducing food options that help decrease inflammation in the intestine as well as a host of supplements, minerals, vitamins, therapies, and homeopathic remedies which can help the person recover from their gluten sensitivity.
Outcomes of eliminating wheat and gluten from the diet
Most times when clients follow a gluten free diet the body responds quite quickly. The first signs we see clearing up are energy levels, they usually increase throughout the day. This is partly due to the fact the body is making more digestive enzymes, and breaking down more food for the cells to use as fuel. Sleep patterns usually improve as well during this time as hormones start to be changed due to the inflammation going down in the body. Joint pain and inflammation decrease, the intestine starts to heal itself as the inflammatory causing substance is eliminated from its daily routine, hormones rebalance, sexual desire increases, stress levels decrease, bloating diminishes, skin eruptions such as eczema and psoriasis can improve, and weight loss from key areas mainly the mid section starts to occur.
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Great info Mark, thanks so much for sharing!
If you have experienced better health and faster fat loss by eliminating gluten foods and products from your diet or wonder if you might have a sensitivity to gluten, please post your comments below. Mark and I would LOVE to hear from you 🙂