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"Eating Gluten-Free"
Post about Gluten, Fad Diets, Symptoms and Lyme Disease
There are many reasons to avoid gluten.
Many people are gluten sensitive and do not even know it. The most severe form of gluten intolerance is Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is the small tip of a VERY large iceberg. Just because you might test negative on a Celiac panel does NOT rule out gluten sensitivity.
"Some" of the Symptoms, (there are over 200 symptoms )
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Nutritional deficiencies due to mal-absorption (e.g. low iron levels)
- Gastro-intestinal problems (bloating, pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea)
- Fat in the stools (due to poor digestion)
- Aching joints
- Depression
- Eczema
- Head aches
- Exhaustion
- Irritability and behavioral changes
- Infertility, irregular menstrual cycle and miscarriage
- Cramps, tingling and numbness
- Slow infant and child growth
- Decline in dental health
Many of these symptoms are also Lyme Disease symptoms, and can indicate inflammation in the body.
Wheat is a pro-inflammatory agent. A pro-inflammatory agent is rapidly converted to sugar, causing a rise in the body’s insulin levels, causing a burst of inflammation at the cellular level.
Wheat is a relatively new food for the human race. Ancient man, the hunter-gatherers, lived on meat from the animals they hunted, fish and wild vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds that they gathered. It was not until the agricultural period that began about 12,000 years ago that wheat and other grains were introduced. This is not a long enough time for the human body to adapt.
Your digestive system provides a barrier between the foods you eat and your blood stream. If this barrier breaks down gliadin/gluten gets into the blood stream. The immune system reacts to the gliadin/gluten and they become a toxin. Any immune response releases chemical mediators that cause inflammation and leads to symptoms such as pain, edema, and headaches and so on.
Those suffering with Lyme disease can benefit from a Gluten free diet. Lyme Disease is a multi system disease. Gluten sensitivity can also make your symptoms worse and prevent you from healing from Lyme Disease.
Burgdorferi, the spirochetal agent of Lyme disease, promotes inflammation
Gluten-free "should" have more than one meaning. I'm sure it can be a fad diet for some, but it is really serious for others. Gluten sensitivity is a really large gray area we simply can NOT over look. Gluten sensitivity is REAL and is a serious issue for many. It should not be frowned on. Gluten sensitivity isn't any less serious because a person might not have a "Celiac disease” label.
We have come along way however, mainstream medicine is often slow to change and doesn't always offer alternative testing methods.
Click here for information about Testing
Do I believe those who are diagnosed with Lyme Disease should be tested for Gluten sensitivity? My answer to that question is YES...... Do I believe those with Lyme Disease should try a gluten free diet, I will give you the same answer, YES................ Testing
If you have Lyme Disease, you might not realize gluten is an issue. You have to give your body enough time to heal before you notice a change.
Also to note:
- Refined wheat has little nutritional value.
- Humans don’t fully digest wheat.
We would love your thoughts and comments.
