Becoming Gluten Free is a Big Deal

Discovering one is gluten intolerant is no small event. One needs to confront an extraordinary change of diet, and knowing that it’s a life-long change can be quite daunting. Some make the transition rather easily, but all too often the best intentions end in less than stellar results.

Zero Tolerance is the Only Way to Go

Does ‘almost’ count on a gluten-free diet? I’m afraid it does not. Unless a zero-tolerance policy is adopted, you are running the risk of increased mortality from all causes.

I have a patient whom we discovered was gluten intolerant several years ago. Upon beginning a gluten-free diet his fatigue disappeared, his 30-year sinus problems similarly were a thing of the past, and all his digestive complaints and abdominal pain vanished. He was definitely a ‘happy camper’. He doesn’t live locally to the clinic, which is perhaps part of the problem, and over the years he has had some small setbacks. When these have occurred he has gone to various local doctors.

As is too often the case, these doctors have treated his symptoms with drugs, but haven’t stood back and tried to diagnose the root cause of his complaints. Inevitably, and sadly sometimes as much as 6 months to a year later, he would return to our office, frustrated at the negative changes in his health.

One for one we have discovered that each and every time his health faltered it was due to gluten sneaking its way back into his diet. This gentleman doesn’t like to cook and while his wife takes very good care of him, he typically eats out once to twice per day.

During the most recent visit, it was discovered that he was ingesting gluten 20 times per month in the form of either beer or soy sauce. He had heard that these things contained gluten but he had justified that it couldn’t be significant as they were liquids. For some reason, he couldn’t quite get his head around the fact that a liquid product could contain enough gluten to cause him harm.

As a doctor, I am constantly educating myself. I do so to stay on the cutting edge of gluten intolerance research and clinical nutrition as a whole. I do so also as part of my licensure requirements. Many fields have ‘required continuing education’.

Continuing Education for the Human Body

I think that as owners of a human body we should have ‘continuing education’ also. Children receive some basics in school but then the education ends (it’s also a bit flawed in my opinion). I believe that as owners of these incredible machines, we should take some time to understand how they work and the best way to care for and feed them.

Of course if one is gluten intolerant that education needs to be more comprehensive because one’s life is literally at stake if one makes a mistake.

I can’t tell you how often the above scenario occurs in patients. A great deal of harm is done simply out of ignorance. Sadly, some of this harm done is irreversible.

We Can Help You with that Education

If you have celiac disease, are gluten intolerant, or suspect that you are, take some time to fully educate yourself on where gluten resides, both obviously as well as its ‘hidden’ locations. Your body will appreciate your efforts and you will enjoy the benefits of good health and vitality. If you need some help we have a great page here. I hope you found this helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like assistance in improving your health.