Why Gluten-Free?

Gluten-free is a phrase that has become moreto or create gluten intolerance: high sugar; trans
commonly used as more and more people arefat; over-processing; addition of chemicals
recognizing the problem of gluten intolerance andpreservatives; not enough nutrient-rich food
celiac disease. Some traditional grocery stores are(fresh vegetables and fruit); high stress levels;
even including gluten-free products now withfast food; too many prescription drugs usage;
accompanying shelf-talkers. Perhaps you'reimproper chewing so that food is gulped down
wondering what this is all about.fast. In addition, modern wheat is quite different
Gluten is a sticky grayish substance found infrom what our grandparents ate. Wheat now is
wheat and other grains; it is glue-like, holdingoften genetically modified and so over-processed
everything together. When you ingest gluten, itit doesn't even resemble the hearty, nutritious
swells and becomes tacky inside of your intestinalwheat once used.
tract, a glued-together constipating clump in yourWe are also inundated with high stress which can
gut. The undigested gluten then triggers yourbreak down many systems and is a main
immune system to attack the lining of your smallcontributor to many disorders like adrenal fatigue.
intestine which can cause great intestinalWhen the adrenals are burned out, digestion
discomfort: bloating, constipation, diarrhea,issues are always part of the equation, and very
abdominal pain and nausea. For some people it isoften gluten intolerance is present. If the individual
simply a sensitivity or intolerance that develops atcontinues to eat food with gluten, then it further
some point in their life while for others it is thedepletes the adrenals and a vicious cycle is
response from celiac disease.established in which the individual cannot regain his
Unknown to most people is the seriousness ofher health. Health will continue to decline with a
consuming gluten if you have gluten intolerance orsnowball effect.
celiac disease. Celiac is an autoimmune disorderCutting out gluten products can be a daunting
that is hereditary, and gluten intolerance developstask since so many foods contain gluten. To
during a lifetime; both can affect virtually any partfurther add to this dilemma, many products
of the body. Here are just some of the disorderscontain hidden gluten. The person with either
linked to gluten sensitivity and celiac disease:gluten intolerance or celiac disease must learn to
alopecia areata - hair loss; narcolepsy; ADHD;check the label of every product that doesn't
Autism; headaches - especially migraines; sinusvisibly say gluten-free on the product. To make
issues; dry eyes; halitosis; inflammation anywherematters even more difficult, gluten isn't limited to
in the body; intestinal disturbances - gas, bloating,just food. It can be found in body and hair
cramping, diarrhea, IBS, ovarian pain; adrenalproducts, office supplies, and various household
fatigue; obesity; diabetes; rheumatoid arthritis;items. And labeling can fool you because
dermatitis. If left untreated, it can contribute tomanufacturers are not required to list every single
cancer and cardiovascular disease, both of whichingredient. The product could contain a wheat filler,
are leading causes of death today.which is very common, or it could have been
In more recent years celiac disease has becomedusted with wheat for easier packaging. So it
more prevalent. In fact, it is one of the mostmeans you must assume the role of detective,
often undiagnosed intestinal disorders in ourto the point of possibly contacting a manufacturer
country. When a person has this disorder theyto be sure of all ingredients!
cannot digest wheat and other gluten grains.There are tests to diagnose celiac and gluten
Some are allergic to the gluten, while others areintolerance, but you can be your own detective
sensitive or allergic to the grain itself. Eating it inand pay attention to your symptoms and how
spite of can cause malnourishment since ityou feel an hour or two after a meal and beyond.
interferes with ingested nutrients and digestionEliminate gluten products for five days and see
and causes malabsorption, often bulging out thewhat happens when you again ingest them. One
stomach. Individuals with this disorder can becomeclient of mine decided to eliminate gluten and cut
very sick if they consume gluten, often causingdown sugar since she wanted to lose weight, and
them to be irritable and both allergy and diseasein 5 weeks, with doing nothing else but eliminating
prone; it can be life-threatening. Celiac disease isgluten and lowering sugar, lost 25 pounds! She also
genetic so is passed from generation tonoticed she had more energy and experienced
generation.better mental clarity.
Why is this disorder on the rise? We have seen aFor those who want to know what to do to eat
breakdown of health over the last few decadeshealthier and consider removing gluten from their
due to many factors, many of them related todiet, check out my new e-Book entitled Simple,
diet and stress. In addition, the chemical age weHealthy & Gluten-Free Cooking that contains
live in has added many toxic ingredients thatmany facts with lots of information along with 113
disrupt the digestion, assimilation and eliminationrecipes with color photos to help you get started
processes. Here are a few things that areon a new path.
prominent imbalances in dietary choices that add