| Everyone knows that exercise is good for you, | | | | the counter does it to me! Step away from the |
| right? With the obesity epidemic on the rise, | | | | kitchen, and go exercise. Exercise has been |
| related disorders and diseases such as diabetes | | | | shown to release hormones known as endorphins |
| and heart disease rapidly increasing, exercise is | | | | which can boost mood. Also, the neurotransmitter |
| potentially one of our most potent weapons | | | | serotonin is released which can also assist in |
| against these problems. However, there are some | | | | maintaining a positive mood. |
| special considerations that people with celiac | | | | 4-Improved overall circulation. |
| disease should think about. Exercise should | | | | This could also assist in keeping the gut healthy, |
| become a part of lifestyle for all of us-but here is | | | | or in healing damage already created from gluten |
| why celiacs in particular can benefit. | | | | in a small way. Blood flow to the gut is decreased |
| 1-Weight Control. | | | | during an actual exercise bout (and directed to the |
| For some people with celiac disease, | | | | working muscles,) but overall the circulation to and |
| malabsorption may have been an issue to the | | | | activity of the digestive tract is improved with |
| point where they lost weight. For others, they | | | | regular exercise. |
| may have gained weight. For all, the prevalence of | | | | 5-Improved Nutrition. |
| processed, low nutritive but high calorie gluten | | | | Of course this doesn't come directly from |
| free foods is a potential cause for weight/fat gain. | | | | exercise. But exercising may cause you to make |
| Exercise can assist in maintaining a healthy weight, | | | | healthier nutrition choices. The "halo effect" or |
| and the inclusion of weight training can also aid in | | | | where the positive qualities of one thing transfer |
| achieving healthy body composition as far as | | | | to another, may make you reach for the carrot |
| muscle to fat ratio. Our everyday lives for the | | | | instead of the gluten free muffin. Doing one good |
| most part tend to be very sedentary in nature. | | | | thing for your body may create a domino effect |
| Adding exercise can boost the caloric burn you | | | | where you do a second and third good thing for |
| create throughout your day, which would allow | | | | your body. Improving your nutrition by eating |
| you to maintain a caloric balance more easily. | | | | more vitamin and nutrient rich whole foods will fill |
| 2-Bone health. | | | | in any deficiencies you may have experienced due |
| Osteoporosis and osteopenia are unfortunate and | | | | to malabsorption. Also you may experience |
| very common consequences of celiac disease and | | | | weight/fat loss of that is your goal given an |
| resultant malabsorption of nutrients. Weight | | | | appropriate caloric intake level. |
| bearing exercise such as walking, and running can | | | | -A couple considerations to keep in mind. You do |
| aid in remodeling of bone. Unfortunately, cycling | | | | want to be sure to get adequate levels of iron |
| and swimming have not been found to be as | | | | and calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D to sustain |
| beneficial when it comes to bone health. Weight | | | | energy levels and maximize bone health. Also |
| training has a very positive impact on bone health. | | | | keep in mind, especially if weight training, that |
| You may not be able to reverse the weakening | | | | protein needs may be higher. Generally accepted |
| of bone you already have, but you can certainly | | | | levels for weight training athletes (yes you are an |
| keep it from worsening. | | | | athlete) is approximately 1g of protein per pound |
| 3-Improved mood. | | | | of bodyweight. |
| Certainly non-celiacs demonstrate this as well. | | | | So what will exercise do for you? Potentials are |
| Sometimes though, we celiacs get a case of the | | | | limitless-but looking better, feeling strong, keeping |
| "why me's?" or get frustrated with the challenges | | | | bones healthy, thinking positive, and eating |
| of everyday living gluten free. Walking into the | | | | well-sounds pretty good to me! |
| break room at work and seeing crumbs all over | | | | |