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Tag Archives: celiac disease

Gluten Tips–Joint Pain

22 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by yeloros in gluten

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Tags

body talk, celiac disease, food journal, gluten sensitivity, gluten-free diet, joint pain, wheat allergy

Joint pain at wooden mannequin isolated on whiteAre you one of the millions suffering joint aches and pains that interfere in your life? Are you spending big bucks on pain meds, injections, ibuprofen, and other remedies to relieve that pain? Whether mild or excruciating, pain is your body warning you that something is wrong. What if your pain is being caused by what you’re eating?

As I recounted in the post “Goodbye Arthur” (now in the archives), I thought I had arthritis or that perhaps I was a candidate for a hip or knee replacement. Continuing exercise class was out of the question when even raising my arms became too painful. It was an effort to get in and out of the car as well as the bed. Thankfully, I had been keeping a food journal for a long time and I soon identified the “wrongdoer” — gluten, the protein found in wheat. I was tested for celiac disease, and to my relief, the test was negative; however I am gluten sensitive. There’s a wide range of symptoms associated with gluten, and joint pain is just one of them (brain fog is another).

9729249_sAll the goodies we love to eat, from mouth watering pastry to tempting pasta; from scrumptious cakes and fluffy croissants, to crunchy coating on chicken; if it’s made from wheat, rye or barley, it will cause much distress for those of us who can’t tolerate gluten. Many of those foods can now be purchased gluten-free but some are rated low in vitamins, minerals, fiber, texture and taste, and high in fat, cost and calories.

Unfortunately, gluten is often hidden in some brands of a surprising number of products and foods, such as beer and popcorn. For a better understanding of celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergy, read the post “Tips–Gluten No-No’s” (in archives). There you’ll find information about other grains considered safe as well as those to avoid. Also included is a list of ingredients to watch out for.

?????Why not start your own food journal and then really pay attention to “body talk” to see which foods trigger your symptoms? Perhaps you’ll discover that the problems inflicting misery on your body are similar to symptoms of gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. But wait! Before switching to a gluten-free diet, discuss your findings with your doctor. If he or she decides to test you for celiac disease, in order to get an accurate diagnosis, gluten needs to be in your system, otherwise the test will show a false negative. However, even if you don’t have celiac disease, your symptoms could be due to gluten sensitivity, then you can eliminate gluten because it’s a problem for you.

(A recent article on health stated that 35% of adults search online to try to diagnose health conditions, and believe it or not, 41% of those who self-diagnose had their condition confirmed by a physician.)

Good luck!

Watch for a series of posts on “Gluten Tips” and a series on “Body Talk” revealing other health issues many of us are experiencing. Hopefully, you’ll be able to identify the culprit robbing your well-being.

Always check with your primary care doctor before making any major changes.

Related post: “No Wheat, No Weight? — Part 2”

Let us know your thoughts. You’re the reason for this blog (see the “About You” page). So please, leave a message in the Comments section below and arrow down to click the Post Comment button. What you say may be just the thing to make someone’s day. Thanks.

Images:

  • fotolia.com
  • 123rf.com

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No Wheat, No Weight? – Part 1

23 Saturday Feb 2013

Posted by yeloros in mind/body

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Tags

Alzheimer's, aqua jogging, belly fat, bocce ball, body mass index, bone loss, celiac disease, chair exercises, daily food journal, exercise, gluten sensitivity, glutten-free, obesity, overweight, physical activity, subcutaneous fat, visceral fat

man and woman abstractLet’s just say that this is Mary and Joe Scofield on their way home from their doctor’s office, where once again they heard their yearly lecture.  Obviously, they are in that 68.8% of Americans who are overweight or obese and experiencing the consequences. When reading their charts, everything that should be low is high, and everything that should be down is up, including their weight.  The doctor reminded them that getting rid of the weight would probably eliminate some, if not all, of the medications they are taking for heart problems, elevated cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes.

This time the doctor was impressed with their optimism as they began talking about what they will do to improve their health.  Watching the HBO special “The Weight of the Nation” was a wake-up call for them to go online to research their conditions. They even had a list of questions to ask the doctor about a sensible diet, a safe exercise program, and they set realistic short-and long-term goals as an important first step.  They’re particularly excited about being able to exercise at home and showed the doctor a printout of how they can get a full-body workout with chair exercises.  (Read “Move It! You’re Losing It” and cdc.org at end of post.) Because they have been inactive, part of the plan is to gradually build up to a variety of more intense exercise routines.

According to The National Institutes of Health, 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week can have positive results, even when spread out in ten-minute sessions throughout the day.

The couple was also motivated after reading that Honey Boo Boo’s mama even lost over 100 pounds by being more physically active (walking and moving) while taping their TV show, 365 lbs. to 263 lbs. so far.

To jump-start their physical activity, Mary and Joe decided to make brisk walking part of their daily regimen. Studies show that those who regularly walk (not stroll) to lose weight, are more likely to keep it off.  Their pedometers will let them know how close they are to their goal of 10,000 steps a day, but even if they don’t reach 10,000, every step is better than none at all.  Plus, brisk walking will help melt away that dangerous, deadly (visceral) belly fat.   This is the kind of fat wrapped around the organs in the abdomen, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, even death. (*See web site at end of post for body mass index.) According to the American Cancer Society, there’s strong evidence this type of fat may even cause colon cancer.  Moreover, it is linked to a higher risk of other cancers and poor brain health, increasing the risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.  Research has also linked belly fat to bone loss in men.  Experts say this fat is often the first to go when combined with diet and physical activities you do regularly, like walking, biking, dancing, even housework and working in the yard.  Crunches, sit-ups and other abdominal exercises are good for getting rid of fat located directly under the skin (subcutaneous).

6975217_sJoe is excited about golfing (no cart) with their neighbor and joining a group of friends a few days a week to play bocce ball.  Mary is looking forward to shedding pounds by aqua jogging (running in water) with her friends.  She is also motivated to plant a garden, which promises to be a great form of physical activity.  Consequently, she is looking forward to shopping (more walking) for that new wardrobe after her weight loss. They both realize that daily physical activity and a healthy diet translate to a life-long change, now that they are seriously aiming for longevity and working on their bucket list.  Who knew fun and games could equal health and wellness?

Because they have heard so much about this thing called gluten, they are wondering if it could be the answer to some of their complaints, such as bloating, joint pain, diarrhea, gas, and stomach aches.  (Read “Tips-Gluten No-No’s”.) Since so many people are boasting about losing weight on a gluten-free diet, they are hoping it might work for them also. The doctor is testing them for celiac disease even though they don’t fit the profile, for studies show that even overweight people can have the disease.  In the meantime, they will plan their meals for the week, keep a food journal and take note of when their symptoms worsen. The journal will also allow them to see just how much, what and when they are eating and document all junk food, sugary drinks, processed foods, snacks, and “grazing”.

For years they have tried many ways to lose weight, but failed: diets, treadmill, gadgets, pills, drinks.  Nevertheless, they wonder if there’s any scientific evidence to back up those gluten weight loss testimonials, because it all sounds too good to be true.

Dieting couple

*To calculate your body mass index (BMI) go to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Web site, http://www.nhlbisupppot.com/bmi.

Related posts:

  • “Move It! You’re Losing It”
  • “No Wheat, No Weight? – Part 2”
  • “Tips-Gluten No-No’s”
  • “Goodbye Arthur“

Resources:

  • (http://www.mayoclinic.org)
  • (http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/growingstronger/exercises/index.html)
  • Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
  • National Institutes of Health (www.nia.nih.gov/Go4Life)
  • University of Washington Medical School
  • American Cancer Society
  • American Heart Association
  • Harvard Medical School, Boston
  • HBO Special – “The Weight of the Nation” – 4 parts
  • (http://www.clevelandclinic.org)
  • (http://www.celiac.org)
  • (http://www.webmd.com)

Images:

  • Fotolia.com
  • 123rf.com

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TIPS-Gluten No-No’s

21 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by yeloros in gluten no-no's, mind/body, tips

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Tags

celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, gluten-free, hidden gluten, wheat allergy, wheat substitutions, WPLongform

TIPS

Click here to read “Goodbye Arthur” first

Just what on earth is gluten anyway?

VICTIM #1

Gluten is a protein in wheat, rye, and barley causing one to suffer pain and distress as it attacks the lining of the small intestine in those with celiac disease.  The resulting inflammation interferes with the absorption of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients, causing the person to feel sick most of the time.

As for symptoms:  Gluten drains your energy and will make you irritable and anxious.  Bloating, gas and severe stomach pains can send you to bed.  Because of your aching bones and joints, you are pretty sure you will soon be on medication for arthritis, using a cane or a walker, or having a hip or knee replacement.  You will be spending a lot of time running and sitting–with diarrhea and/or constipation. It causes your head to ache, and your mood to tank.  Brain fog will have you doubting your sanity.  Over time, this “villain” may cause some celiacs to develop anemia and/or osteoporosis. Symptoms are varied and there are many more than I’ve listed here.

Gluten affects each person differently and some may have only one worrisome reaction while someone else will have numerous complaints.  Others may have no symptoms at all, plus, not all celiacs look undernourished.  It runs in families and attacks all ages, even infants.  It may take a few days, or unfortunately, even months, before those with celiac disease feel better after going gluten-free, depending on how long it takes for their intestine to heal.  In order to avoid a false negative, a blood test must be done before going on a gluten-free diet, and an intestinal biopsy will help diagnose celiac disease.

VICTIM #2

Gluten also inflicts misery on those unfortunate enough to be gluten-sensitive, causing us to experience many of the same symptoms as the celiac when we eat gluten.  But thank goodness, we feel better shortly after gluten is eliminated from our diet and there’s no damage to our small intestine.  There’s no test for gluten-sensitivity.  Keeping a food journal to see which foods cause discomfort, is our trial and error test. Gluten sensitivity may be the reason for some health problems in children.  Treatment for us, and those with celiac disease, is a life-long commitment to a gluten-free diet.  Some of my friends and family think I’m being deprived because I can’t eat “their” kind of food.  Believe it or not, but there are hundreds, or thousands, of gluten-free alternatives on the market replacing anything they think I’m giving up.  Even better, many recipes can be found online.

What a blessing to have found the cause and “cure” for my gluten problem that didn’t call for an operation or several unproductive visits to doctors.  I also didn’t end up with many useless meds promising a litany of side effects, including coma, stroke, seizure, heart attack, cancer, suicide, or even early death–is there a late death?

VICTIM #3

Then there are those who have a wheat allergy, one of the more common food allergies in children.  It isn’t as prevalent in adults.  Symptoms are quite different in children including, but not limited to:  itching, swelling, watery eyes, rash, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting or anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction requiring immediate medical treatment).  Some children may even experience the same symptoms as those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.  Blood and skin tests are done to make a diagnosis, and their intestine is not damaged.  Children will usually outgrow this allergy.

But wait, in spite of all the bad-mouthing above, let me make it clear, gluten is not “bad” for most people.  It doesn’t trigger an immune or negative reaction in everyone.  It’s like dairy causes much distress for those who are lactose intolerant, and some people can’t eat soy, seeds or nuts, but those foods don’t cause problems for most people.  So, if gluten doesn’t steal your well-being, be thankful and enjoy your food.  Don’t get caught up in the false notion that all those packaged gluten-free foods are “healthier” or “higher quality”.  The gluten-free foods that are healthy are vegetables, fruits, beans, lean meat, poultry, dairy, fish, nuts, seeds and some grains.

Gluten is what gives dough elasticity which helps it to rise and keeps it from falling apart.  It makes bread and rolls soft, light, fluffy and oh, so tempting.  It’s what makes pasta, pizza, crackers, and baked goods, good.

Store-bought gluten-free foods often have more calories, fat, sugar and salt, than foods with gluten.  They may also have less fiber and are missing some vitamins  routinely added to wheat flour.

Those of us victimized by gluten must be diligent about reading labels and also look for the warning stating that the product is made in a facility that processes foods containing wheat.  This can result in cross-contamination and leave us suffering and feeling terrible again.

Some gluten no-no’s:  couscous, spelt, kamut, triticale, durum flour, graham flour, semolina, malted grains of rye, wheat or barley, bulgur, white flour, wheat germ, wheat starch, brewer’s yeast, farina, and enriched flour.

Watch our for these products with gluten:

  • Beer–malt in most beer is made from barley
  • Malt products
  • Some rice milk and soy milk–processed with barley enzymes
  • Soy sauce*
  • Bouillon cubes
  • Cold cuts
  • Hot dogs
  • Sausage
  • Gravy
  • Rice mixes
  • Soups
  • Mustard
  • Mayonnaise
  • Ketchup
  • Vanilla extract
  • Croutons
  • Baking powder
  • Some brands of dried spices
  • Licorice and some other candies

HIDDEN GLUTEN

Many foods have gluten hidden in the list of ingredients:  vegetable protein, wheat starch, gelatinized starch, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, modified starch, vegetable gum, vegetable starch, soy bean paste and some  natural flavoring.

Gluten may also be found in a surprising number of products: toothpaste, cosmetics, hair products, play dough, Communion wafers, medicines, supplements, lip balms, and even in some pet food.  The glue on some envelopes and stamps may also harbor gluten.

According to WebMD:

Take note that some cereals contain wheat starch and some use malt flavoring. Most crackers have wheat as one of their main ingredients.  Beware of breaded foods, check ingredients. Crunchy coating on most chicken nuggets and fish sticks is generally made from wheat flour.

Of course cakes, pies, cookies as well as bread are loaded with wheat flour. When using frozen or canned fruits and vegetables, check for additives that might contain gluten. The same goes for processed cheese spreads and flavored yogurt.

*Read the post “Crackers and Seeds”

To see a short video for wheat substitutions in recipe

(http://www.video.about.com/foodallergies/tips-for-recipe-substitutions-with-wheat-allergies.htm)

Check with your health care provider before making any major dietary changes.

Resources:

  • University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center
  • Mayoclinic.com
  • Celiac.org
  • Medlineplus.gov
  • National Institutes of Health (nih.gov)
  • National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
  • American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
  • The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center
  • Livestrong.com
  • Webmd.com
  • About.com

Image: Fotolia.com

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Goodbye Arthur

03 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by yeloros in mind/body

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

aches and pains, arthritis, body talk, celiac disease, couscous, daily food journal, fatigue, gluten-free, nuts, pasta, seeds, semolina, wheat additives, wheat-free

green round headsHave you ever noticed how your body is really good about talking to you, hoping you will be wise enough to listen?

I was all set to go to the doctor to get medication for what I thought was arthritis and dreading the possibility of having a knee or hip replacement.  However, I was pretty sure that arthritis is not “sometimey”.  So, because I’m used to listening to my “body talk”, I knew I had better pay attention.

In really bad times, the pain was so intense in my legs, knees, thighs, and hips, I thought they would actually break.  It was an effort to walk, sit, stand or even get in and out of the car or bed. Trying to raise my arms in exercise class was so painful I had to stop the lessons.  I was also extremely tired most of the time.  Consequently, I decided to look back through my Daily Food Journal to see if this pain could be caused by something I was eating.  I’ve been keeping a journal for a very long time, ever since I had similar symptoms years ago.  At that time, I was surprised to discover that two of my favorites,  nuts and seeds, were the offenders, so I have carefully avoided them at all cost.

Looking back through the journal this time, I noticed that I was eating a lot of whole wheat bread and many other wheat products.  Sure enough, when I went wheat-free, the symptoms stopped.  But then they would start again, even though I had stopped eating all wheat–or so I thought.  Much to my dismay, there it was in black and white.  The aches and pains came back in spades when I ate couscous or pasta, yes, good ole PASTA.

How could this be?  Well pasta, couscous and a variety of other foods are made from something called semolina.  Without hesitation, off I went to Google and what do you know?  Semolina is the granular product made from durum WHEAT!  Needless to say,  I stop eating the obvious wheat products.  In the process, I learned that lots of foods you might never suspect contain wheat additives and there are many gluten no-no’s to watch out for.

My doctor ruled out celiac disease well before I eliminated gluten; however, I am gluten sensitive and will regret it if I eat anything with gluten. Coincidentally, the biggest revelation came in the form of ENERGY!!!  The extreme fatigue vanished with the elimination of gluten.  For me, being tired was normal, just one of the many “pains” that come along in life.  I thought everybody was tired.  Well apparently not.  Now I can walk from one end of the mall to the other, go up to the next level and do it again, which was totally out of the question before.

Could there be something in your diet destroying your well-being?

Maya Angelou says that when you know better, you do better.  Doing better in your case could be as simple as keeping your own food journal to help pinpoint problems you may be having. For instance, my sister started keeping one and discovered that her “hay fever” was caused by the type of honey she was putting in her tea!

We are victims of so many ailments beyond our control.  Why suffer needlessly from our self-made conditions, when all we have to do is be more attentive when our body is telling us that something is wrong?  Look for the root cause and not merely treat the symptoms!

Since we are all aiming for longevity, wouldn’t it be wonderful to live many more years in optimal health?

Incidentally, I thanked my body for telling me to investigate the cause for so much pain, and oh yeah, Goodbye Arthur Ritis.

Read the posts “Tips-Gluten No-No’s” and “No Wheat, No Weight?- Part 1”and “No Wheat, No Weight? – Part 2”

Click on “Fannie’s Kitchen” for “Savory Gluten-Free Muffins” recipe

I am anxious to hear your story.

More information see:WebMD.com/gluten-free

Images from: 123RF.com

Check with your health care provider before making any major dietary changes.

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