(I've got to say it: This is not medical advice. You can only get that from your doctor. If you have any questions about your health, please see your doctor. Thank you!)
Life-changing... That sums up gluten free living for me.
Decades of unexplained health scares, culminating in a near-fatal event, left me terrified and frustrated. Then, as hard as it is for me still to believe after just 3 days of living gluten free, I found hope.
That was nearly four years ago. After feeling so good for so long, I find myself sometimes forgetting how I felt prior to eliminating gluten from my diet.
Recently I've had a few reminders. I’ve experienced some of the “old feelings”... Aches, abdominal pain and bloating, mental fog. Somehow, from somewhere, gluten has gotten in.
I can tell it’s a very small amount. I’m working on determining the source. Perhaps some of the bulk bins I've been purchasing grains and seeds from used to have gluten-containing items in them. There are some near-by. I’ll keep you posted on my ongoing “gluten investigation”.
With this on my mind, I thought it'd be a good time to chat about going gluten free, Celiac Disease (CD) and Gluten Sensitivity (GS).
Hardly a day passes where I’m not asked to explain “what is gluten?” or “how do you know if you have Celiac Disease?”
You might get the same questions. Or these might be your questions... They might still be your questions if "gluten free" is new to you.
Perhaps this will help with some understanding... keeping it simple.
Life-changing... That sums up gluten free living for me.
Decades of unexplained health scares, culminating in a near-fatal event, left me terrified and frustrated. Then, as hard as it is for me still to believe after just 3 days of living gluten free, I found hope.
That was nearly four years ago. After feeling so good for so long, I find myself sometimes forgetting how I felt prior to eliminating gluten from my diet.
Recently I've had a few reminders. I’ve experienced some of the “old feelings”... Aches, abdominal pain and bloating, mental fog. Somehow, from somewhere, gluten has gotten in.
I can tell it’s a very small amount. I’m working on determining the source. Perhaps some of the bulk bins I've been purchasing grains and seeds from used to have gluten-containing items in them. There are some near-by. I’ll keep you posted on my ongoing “gluten investigation”.
With this on my mind, I thought it'd be a good time to chat about going gluten free, Celiac Disease (CD) and Gluten Sensitivity (GS).
Hardly a day passes where I’m not asked to explain “what is gluten?” or “how do you know if you have Celiac Disease?”
You might get the same questions. Or these might be your questions... They might still be your questions if "gluten free" is new to you.
Perhaps this will help with some understanding... keeping it simple.
First, What is Gluten?
Gluten is the protein portion of certain grains such as wheat (including spelt and kamut), barley, rye, triticale, and malts. While oats do not contain gluten, they are often processed in the same facilities that handle gluten-containing grains; therefore, oats that are not certified gluten-free may contain gluten.
In baking, gluten provides the elasticity needed to lend structure and texture to items such as breads and cakes and to yield a tender finished product.
You might be thinking, "How, without gluten, can you make bread and, if you can, how could it possibly be any good?!"
The answer lies in using a mix of alternative flours (rice, tapioca, quinoa, millet, etc.). Bakers (including me!) are experimenting with new combinations all of the time. It is absolutely possible for us have our (gluten free) cake, and enjoy it, too!
At first, I thought of "going gluten free" as having to give up something in baking. I quickly got over that, accepted the challenge and opened my mind. I discovered exciting new ingredients and techniques that are, in many ways, far more streamlined and easier than traditional gluten-filled baking.
Just check out my Naked Banana Coffee Cake...
In baking, gluten provides the elasticity needed to lend structure and texture to items such as breads and cakes and to yield a tender finished product.
You might be thinking, "How, without gluten, can you make bread and, if you can, how could it possibly be any good?!"
The answer lies in using a mix of alternative flours (rice, tapioca, quinoa, millet, etc.). Bakers (including me!) are experimenting with new combinations all of the time. It is absolutely possible for us have our (gluten free) cake, and enjoy it, too!
At first, I thought of "going gluten free" as having to give up something in baking. I quickly got over that, accepted the challenge and opened my mind. I discovered exciting new ingredients and techniques that are, in many ways, far more streamlined and easier than traditional gluten-filled baking.
Just check out my Naked Banana Coffee Cake...
You’ll never miss the gluten that's not in these!
Why Go Gluten Free
Going gluten free for some may be a personal choice.
For most (and for me!), removing gluten from the diet is a necessity. They have CD or GS and must go gluten free to avoid having potentially quite serious negative health reactions.
What are Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity?
CD is a genetic disorder of the immune system affecting the lining of the small intestine. When people with CD consume gluten, the body responds by attacking the villi of the small intestine. This leads to poor nutrient absorption and other health issues.
While there are over 300 symptoms associated with CD, here are some of the more common ones: Gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas), fatigue, headache, joint pain, depression, inability to concentrate, irritability, mouth sores, tingling or numbness in extremities, and skin rash or irritation. On the other hand, some people with CD have no symptoms at all.
Those with GS (you may also hear it called "gluten intolerance") may not technically have CD. Ingesting gluten does not produce the antibodies in the bloodstream that indicate CD or lead to damage of the small intestine. Nevertheless, they do experience many of the same symptoms as those with CD. Those with GS must adhere to a gluten free diet to avoid the problems gluten causes them.
For most (and for me!), removing gluten from the diet is a necessity. They have CD or GS and must go gluten free to avoid having potentially quite serious negative health reactions.
What are Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity?
CD is a genetic disorder of the immune system affecting the lining of the small intestine. When people with CD consume gluten, the body responds by attacking the villi of the small intestine. This leads to poor nutrient absorption and other health issues.
While there are over 300 symptoms associated with CD, here are some of the more common ones: Gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas), fatigue, headache, joint pain, depression, inability to concentrate, irritability, mouth sores, tingling or numbness in extremities, and skin rash or irritation. On the other hand, some people with CD have no symptoms at all.
Those with GS (you may also hear it called "gluten intolerance") may not technically have CD. Ingesting gluten does not produce the antibodies in the bloodstream that indicate CD or lead to damage of the small intestine. Nevertheless, they do experience many of the same symptoms as those with CD. Those with GS must adhere to a gluten free diet to avoid the problems gluten causes them.
A Bit on Diagnosing Celiac Disease
Diagnosing Celiac Disease is a bit of a puzzle... It's not obvious like a broken arm.
Instead, CD shares some symptoms with many other common illnesses. Common misdiagnoses are: Irritable Bowel Disorder (including Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis), chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and even depression.
According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, blood tests for certain antibodies are the first step to diagnosing CD. These antibodies are produced as a response to gluten in someone that may have CD.
If doctors discover the antibodies, they order an endoscopy of the small intestine. This is where a thin, flexible tube is inserted into the small intestine via the mouth. This tube has a camera on it and can take a tissue sample for a biopsy. Depending on the results of the endoscopy, the patient may be diagnosed with CD.
Instead, CD shares some symptoms with many other common illnesses. Common misdiagnoses are: Irritable Bowel Disorder (including Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis), chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and even depression.
According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, blood tests for certain antibodies are the first step to diagnosing CD. These antibodies are produced as a response to gluten in someone that may have CD.
If doctors discover the antibodies, they order an endoscopy of the small intestine. This is where a thin, flexible tube is inserted into the small intestine via the mouth. This tube has a camera on it and can take a tissue sample for a biopsy. Depending on the results of the endoscopy, the patient may be diagnosed with CD.
This is the Simple Version...
There is certainly much more to Celiac Disease, Gluten Sensitivity, and the health challenges they pose.
Think of this just as a primer... something simple and in everyday English. My hope is it will help the next time you get any questions about gluten or be wondering what it is yourself.
Again, this is not medical advice. You can only get that from your doctor. If you have any questions about your health, please see your doctor. Thank you!
Finally, I’d welcome your thoughts and would truly appreciate it if you would join in the conversation. Every bit of input is a great help for us all. Take care out there...
xo,
Gigi
P.S. Right now, I’m in sunny Orlando, FL where I'll be “tweeting” from the 37th Annual Gluten Intolerance Group Education Conference. Just follow @glutenfreegigi to get the updates on what we're learning and who we're meeting!
I'm staying in the lovely Gaylord Palms hotel where we'll also be doing this week’s Sipping Sunday. I can’t wait to find out what they have in store for us!
Think of this just as a primer... something simple and in everyday English. My hope is it will help the next time you get any questions about gluten or be wondering what it is yourself.
Again, this is not medical advice. You can only get that from your doctor. If you have any questions about your health, please see your doctor. Thank you!
Finally, I’d welcome your thoughts and would truly appreciate it if you would join in the conversation. Every bit of input is a great help for us all. Take care out there...
xo,
Gigi
P.S. Right now, I’m in sunny Orlando, FL where I'll be “tweeting” from the 37th Annual Gluten Intolerance Group Education Conference. Just follow @glutenfreegigi to get the updates on what we're learning and who we're meeting!
I'm staying in the lovely Gaylord Palms hotel where we'll also be doing this week’s Sipping Sunday. I can’t wait to find out what they have in store for us!
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