We have discovered that undiagnosed celiac disease and gluten sensitivity creates symptoms well beyond digestive problems and in fact is known to have adverse effects on most symptoms of the body. There are over 100 symptoms associated with gluten intolerance.
Why? Gluten acts as a toxin to many people. It slowly erodes and damages the small intestine. As the small intestine is responsible for turning food into the fuel which nourishes all the cells of the body (we have trillions of cells, by the way), one can imagine what problems might be created when food is unable to be converted into fuel. A damaged small intestine (or leaky gut) also signals a weakened immune system, another reason gluten reactions can create disease in many different areas of the body.
Different bodies react differently to gluten. One person may have irritable bowel syndrome, another may feel exhausted or stressed, and another may develop thyroid problems or an autoimmune disease like arthritis or diabetes. Symptoms truly are all over the map. And therein lies the problem. We live in a medical community which likes to take individual symptoms and give them drugs to mask them. That not only does nothing to address the root cause but it negates the whole concept that there IS a root cause.
Food should be healing. It nourishes the body and provides much needed fuel. If you are thinking of going gluten-free, let me know during your next visit. I would be more than happy to help you in getting started.
To your health,
-Nicole
