Gluten Sensitivity-how to spot and what to do

When it comes to irritation of the digestive tract, ie IBS, abdominal bloating/pain, constipation, there are usually three sources of the irritation: Celiac disease/gluten sensitivity, bacterial infection/ parasites, or an overgrowth of bad bacteria and/or yeast.  

  In both Celiac disease and gluten intolerance, the body experiences adverse effects when gluten which is the protein found in wheat, rye, and spelt is eaten.  Symptoms can often look the same with both Celiac disease and Gluten intolerance.

I have found that probably the easiest and most profound way to determine if you have an intolerance or sensitivity to Gluten is to eliminate it for 30 days and then add it back in.  Notice any allergic reaction that you might experience which can range from bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, puffiness, 2-3 pound weight gain overnight (due to histamine production) or sleepiness after eating a high carbohydrate meal.

Sometimes, it can seem overwelming to take gluten completely out of your diet.  I have some wonderful menus and recipes that can help.  If you are interested in receiving these, please e-mail me.

There is are simple tests to determine if you might have a parasite or bacterial infection, overgrowth of bad bacteria/yeast or a gluten sensitivity.  If you do suffer from gassiness, bloating, reflux, or even anxiety, I would recommend completing a simple stool test that you can do in your own home and mail off to the lab.

Toxins and your muffin top

Retaining fat around your stomach is often a sign of toxic buildup in your system. When your body  becomes overloaded from the chemicals in the foods you eat as well as your environment, it seeks to protect itself as best as it can.  One of the ways that your body does this, is to retain fat in order to have a place to store the toxins.  Yes, fat cells are the storage sites for toxins and in particular, in the visceral fat which is the fat that forms in your abdominal region and causes the muffin top.  Detoxifying is a great step towards losing weight in you abdominal area.  The following are some steps that you can take to detoxify your system.

• Eat organic foods and as much raw foods as you can (including raw dairy products, if available in your state)
• Minimize or eliminate processed and fast foods
• Eliminate refined sugar
• Eliminate carbonated beverages and energy drinks and drink pure, fresh water instead.
• Start each day with a glass of warm water with organic lemon
• eliminate dairy and gluten grains if you have a sensitivity to these.
• Take probiotics and eat probiotic rich foods, such as fermented foods and yogurt.

A fun food to add that can also help are Chia Seeds.  They help to stabilize blood sugar, contain lots of fiber and improve your sensitivity to insulin which is a FAT storing hormone.  They are also a source of protein and good fats.

Fresh Greens will help fill you up, giving your body the enzymes it needs for full digestion.  Greens are also big in fiber and nutrition and are a carbohydrate that do not raise your blood sugar.  Greens go well beyond lettuce and spinach.  Try out kale, arugula, cabbage, endive, fennel cilantro, parsley, as they all have wonderful detoxifying abilities.

The health of you digestive system plays a big role in lowering your toxic load.  Start to notice which foods really make you bloated afterwards and avoid those foods.  If you find that you bloat with many foods, you may have what is termed Leaky Gut Syndrome, which can be determined by a simple salivary test and then healed.  If you do have Leaky gut, Syndrome, you may find that is is difficult for you to digest raw vegetables and nuts.  To get around this, while your gut heals, cook your vegetables and puree them for soups and soak your nuts to help breakdown fiber.

Salivary tests to determine leaky gut are available through a Living Balance

In Health,

Cindy