Could Gluten and Other Foods Be Making You Sick?
Have you ever wondered if what you are eating is affecting your health? We have found that food sensitivities have been the underlying cause of a multitude of symptoms people are experiencing, such as headaches, migraines, arthritis, asthma, colitis, sleep disorders, eczema, bedwetting, fluid retention, and even depression.
Did you realize that the majority of “food allergies” reactions are delayed reactions, meaning they may not present themselves for up to 3 to 4 days after consumption? In other words, the reaction you are having today may be due to something you ate 3 to 4 days ago. This is not the same test as what an allergist might run. Those tests are looking for acute Hypersensitivity as opposed to a delayed onset hypersensitivity reaction. This is a blood test which measures your antibody (immune) response as well as cross reactive foods.
Have you ever wondered if what you are eating is affecting your health? We have found that food sensitivities have been the underlying cause of a multitude of symptoms people are experiencing, such as headaches, migraines, arthritis, asthma, colitis, sleep disorders, eczema, bedwetting, fluid retention, and even depression.
Did you realize that the majority of “food allergies” reactions are delayed reactions, meaning they may not present themselves for up to 3 to 4 days after consumption? In other words, the reaction you are having today may be due to something you ate 3 to 4 days ago. This is not the same test as what an allergist might run. Those tests are looking for acute Hypersensitivity as opposed to a delayed onset hypersensitivity reaction. This is a blood test which measures your antibody (immune) response as well as cross reactive foods.
Are Hidden Food Allergies Making You Fat and Sick?
Food allergy is an IgE immune system response that is typically characterized by hives, shortness of breath, upset stomach and in some cases anaphylaxis. The most common food allergies are to nuts, shellfish, wheat and dairy. According to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, only about 4% of the United States population has a food allergy. Food Sensitivity Testing does not detect Food Allergy.
Food intolerance, on the other hand, is much more common than food allergies and is characterized by digestive disorders, migraines, obesity, chronic fatigue, aching joints, skin disorders and behavioral issues. It has been stated that upwards of 70-80% of the US population has food intolerance. Unfortunately for many, those food intolerance symptoms are often identified as individual problems and treated as such, thus treating the symptoms and not the cause.
Serum tests provides patients and healthcare professionals information to successfully overcome a wide variety of conditions. The inability to tolerate foods and environmental factors, also known as sensitivity or intolerance, induces chronic activation of the innate immune system and gives rise to inflammatory processes. This inflammation has been linked to countless chronic conditions including: digestive disorders, migraines, obesity, chronic fatigue, ADD, aching joints, skin disorders, arthritis, and many more.
The evils of GLUTEN!
What if your path to a better quality life is avoiding food that is killing you and your family?
Gluten is one of the biggest culprits in causing chronic health issues such as fibromyalgia, thyroid issues, chronic fatigue, and Irritable Bowel that I see in my office. Therefore, it is EXTREMELY important to be tested properly for gluten sensitivity. People who have chronic health issues may have already been tested for gluten and the results may have came back negative; the problem is that most methods of testing for gluten traditionally done from saliva or stool may only test for alpha gliadin and 1 isomer of transglutaminase, but many people can react to any of the 10 other particles of the breakdown of gluten, including wheat germ agglutinin. In our office, we run a food sensitivity test from a lab called Cyrex Labs which tests all components of wheat and gluten as well as 24 other foods that may be cross-reactive.
Gluten isn't just a fad diet...Gluten is being recognized as a contributing factor to many of the chronic conditions we are being faced with as a society.
So what is gluten anyways? Gluten is the protein in wheat, barley, rye and oats. The reason that so many people across the country are gluten-sensitive is that we’ve been eating genetically-engineered wheat since the late 1940’s. Our bodies were not made to eat genetically-engineered wheat. Our bodies were not made to eat chemicals and that’s exactly what we are consuming! If you are sensitive to gluten, it will cause your immune system to attack your body, whether it’s your thyroid, your joints, your pancreas, or elsewhere. This sensitivity leads to chronic gut inflammation and absorption issues of proper nutrients; and in time poor health.
It is estimated that just under 1% of the US population is sensitive to gluten due to celiac disease. Most people I work with in my office are under the misconception that only those diagnosed with celiac disease should steer clear of gluten. The reality is that over 90% of the patients I see with chronic health issues are sensitive to gluten in some form and must make dietary changes in order to resolve their symptoms and change the quality of their life.
In order for you to be healthy, one of the best things that you can do is to avoid gluten at all costs. Also, people who are gluten sensitive are usually addicted to grains and will go through withdrawal symptoms when going gluten free, so be patient and give it a few weeks after making the switch to a gluten free diet. Your body will thank you.
Gluten is one of the biggest culprits in causing chronic health issues such as fibromyalgia, thyroid issues, chronic fatigue, and Irritable Bowel that I see in my office. Therefore, it is EXTREMELY important to be tested properly for gluten sensitivity. People who have chronic health issues may have already been tested for gluten and the results may have came back negative; the problem is that most methods of testing for gluten traditionally done from saliva or stool may only test for alpha gliadin and 1 isomer of transglutaminase, but many people can react to any of the 10 other particles of the breakdown of gluten, including wheat germ agglutinin. In our office, we run a food sensitivity test from a lab called Cyrex Labs which tests all components of wheat and gluten as well as 24 other foods that may be cross-reactive.
Gluten isn't just a fad diet...Gluten is being recognized as a contributing factor to many of the chronic conditions we are being faced with as a society.
So what is gluten anyways? Gluten is the protein in wheat, barley, rye and oats. The reason that so many people across the country are gluten-sensitive is that we’ve been eating genetically-engineered wheat since the late 1940’s. Our bodies were not made to eat genetically-engineered wheat. Our bodies were not made to eat chemicals and that’s exactly what we are consuming! If you are sensitive to gluten, it will cause your immune system to attack your body, whether it’s your thyroid, your joints, your pancreas, or elsewhere. This sensitivity leads to chronic gut inflammation and absorption issues of proper nutrients; and in time poor health.
It is estimated that just under 1% of the US population is sensitive to gluten due to celiac disease. Most people I work with in my office are under the misconception that only those diagnosed with celiac disease should steer clear of gluten. The reality is that over 90% of the patients I see with chronic health issues are sensitive to gluten in some form and must make dietary changes in order to resolve their symptoms and change the quality of their life.
In order for you to be healthy, one of the best things that you can do is to avoid gluten at all costs. Also, people who are gluten sensitive are usually addicted to grains and will go through withdrawal symptoms when going gluten free, so be patient and give it a few weeks after making the switch to a gluten free diet. Your body will thank you.
Conditions Commonly Associated With Gluten Sensitivity
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Hypothyroidism / Hashimotos
Migraines Fibromyalgia Type 2 Diabetes Dementia Alzheimer's Osteoporosis Multiple Sclerosis |
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis Dyslexia Irritable Bowel Syndrome Heart Disease Peripheral Neuropathy Leaky Gut Syndrome Chronic Pain & Fatigue |
Gluten Sensitivity Tests Give Deeper Insight into Gluten Intolerance
The main issue with standard gluten intolerance blood testing is that it only looks at antibodies to one component of gluten called alpha gliadin. The literature shows that there are many different components of gluten that one can be sensitive to. This is problematic because if gluten is in fact destroying someone’s health and he or she does not test positive for alpha gliadin but is in fact sensitive to the other components (for example Gluteomorphin), then that person who should avoid gluten, would be cleared to eat gluten containing foods. Another extreme downfall in gluten intolerant testing is the fact that food proteins other than gluten can react in the exact same way as gluten. Researchers have identified the most common foods that have this gluten mimicking reaction. New testing is available to detect sensitivities to these foods. A prime example of the importance of having these foods tested is in the case of those suffering from celiac disease. Those patients are instructed to eliminate gluten containing foods from their diet so they switch to gluten free quinoa, for example. Quinoa is one of the foods that have the potential to react like gluten. Knowing this information is invaluable to those with known gluten intolerance.
The main issue with standard gluten intolerance blood testing is that it only looks at antibodies to one component of gluten called alpha gliadin. The literature shows that there are many different components of gluten that one can be sensitive to. This is problematic because if gluten is in fact destroying someone’s health and he or she does not test positive for alpha gliadin but is in fact sensitive to the other components (for example Gluteomorphin), then that person who should avoid gluten, would be cleared to eat gluten containing foods. Another extreme downfall in gluten intolerant testing is the fact that food proteins other than gluten can react in the exact same way as gluten. Researchers have identified the most common foods that have this gluten mimicking reaction. New testing is available to detect sensitivities to these foods. A prime example of the importance of having these foods tested is in the case of those suffering from celiac disease. Those patients are instructed to eliminate gluten containing foods from their diet so they switch to gluten free quinoa, for example. Quinoa is one of the foods that have the potential to react like gluten. Knowing this information is invaluable to those with known gluten intolerance.
"CELIAC DISEASE IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON LIFELONG DISORDERS IN BOTH EUROPE AND THE US"
New England Journal of Medicine. June 19, 2003 - Vol. 348, No. 25
New England Journal of Medicine. June 19, 2003 - Vol. 348, No. 25
THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE LISTED 55 "DISEASES" THAT CAN BE CAUSED BY EATING GLUTEN.
New England Journal of Medicine 2002, Jan 17, 346(3): 180-8
New England Journal of Medicine 2002, Jan 17, 346(3): 180-8
Cross-Reactive Foods & Other Foods You May Be Sensitive To
Gluten has received the majority of the attention because it is the the most researched. It is extremely important to understand that other foods (even gluten-free foods) can react in the same manner as gluten. The issue that occurs most often when someone goes on a Gluten free diet is the possibility that they do not notice any improvement or even feel worse. This happens for various reasons - the most common is that they are eating foods that are Cross-Reactive. Listed are some foods commonly cross-reactive with Gluten. They are...
Gluten has received the majority of the attention because it is the the most researched. It is extremely important to understand that other foods (even gluten-free foods) can react in the same manner as gluten. The issue that occurs most often when someone goes on a Gluten free diet is the possibility that they do not notice any improvement or even feel worse. This happens for various reasons - the most common is that they are eating foods that are Cross-Reactive. Listed are some foods commonly cross-reactive with Gluten. They are...
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Cow's Milk
Casomorphin Milk Chocolate Spelt |
Alpha Casein
Rye Kamut Polish Wheat |
Coffee
Beta Casein Cheese Barley Yeast |
There are also foods that are not cross-reactive, but patients on a Gluten-Free diet are frequently sensitive to. They are...
|
Sesame
Sorghum Quinoa Rice |
Hemp
Millet Tapioca Potato |
Buckwheat
Amaranth Corn |
Accurate Cross-Reactive testing is available for the above.
Intestinal Permeability “Leaky Gut” Testing
The gut of those who are gluten intolerant can be damaged by gluten intake. This damage can lead to what many call “leaky gut syndrome”. This means that things like large food proteins and bacteria that are meant to stay within the lumen of the gut now enters into the blood. The body’s immune then reacts to naturalize the “foreign invaders”. This reaction creates inflammation, which if allowed to continue, can damage organs and lead to other chronic diseases. Testing for intestinal permeability is important in the recovery from long-term gluten exposure.
Is leaky gut ruining your health?
In many people, gluten and other food proteins cause long-term inflammation in the gut, which eventually leads to intestinal permeability, or “leaky gut syndrome.” Leaky gut allows undigested food particles, bacteria, and other materials to enter into the bloodstream where they can trigger the immune system creating allergies, sensitivities, and inflammation in other parts of the body.
There are several different ways leaky gut can occur:
- Breakdown of intestinal cells
- Loosening of the junctions between cells
- Infections (bacteria, yeast, candida, etc.)
How can a leaky gut test help me?
Leaky gut testing pinpoints which of these is causing leaky gut so your practitioner knows what to specifically target for faster and more efficient gut repair. This test can also be used to monitor the intestinal support used by your doctors. As the leaky gut improves, you should see a improvement in your leaky gut test results.
Leaky gut testing pinpoints which of these is causing leaky gut so your practitioner knows what to specifically target for faster and more efficient gut repair. This test can also be used to monitor the intestinal support used by your doctors. As the leaky gut improves, you should see a improvement in your leaky gut test results.