Celebrate Your Sensitivity

Let me ask you a question.

Has the following thought crossed your mind in recent weeks, while celebrating the holidays?

“I wish I could eat whatever I want – gluten included – and not have it impact my body!”

OK, let’s be honest here.

While that would be good news indeed, for most of us it isn’t the reality, is it?

Sure, it would be great – fantastic, even – to be able to eat gluten-containing foods again, but at the same time, doesn’t your body feel really good based on what you’ve chosen to eat instead?

I, for one, am not even wishing for a cure.

Why?

As daunting as it might be (especially in the beginning) the most impressive thing about Celiac Disease (and it’s sister condition “Non-Celiac Gluten-Sensitivity”) is that better health requires nothing more than changing your diet.

There are no medications to take. (Seriously – this is a good thing!)

No surgery is required.

Which is why I’m suggesting that you jump up and celebrate your sensitivity this holiday season.

Because being sensitive is NOT a bad thing!

Let me explain what I mean.

 

Sensitivity 101

When you react to something – whether it’s something you ate, or something in the environment – it’s your body’s way of communicating with you.

In short, your immune system only kicks in when it’s been triggered.

So, while you might feel uncomfortable in the moment – because of a headache, stomachache or other discomfort brought on by the offender – it’s only because your immune system is doing exactly what it is supposed to do.

It’s trying to protect you!

Yes – that is how the human body works, and it’s quite amazing when you think about it.

Isn’t that as good a reason as any to celebrate?

 

Say “Goodbye” to Pain & Suffering

The average patient with gluten sensitivity endures about eleven years of suffering, from the first onset of symptoms.

They are also seen, on average, by at least five different doctors before finally getting a diagnosis.

That’s the sobering truth.

However, once you’re diagnosed, you know where things stand – and that means you’re already one step ahead of everyone else!

How great is that?

And since Celiac Disease and Non-Celiac Gluten-Sensitivity aren’t just limited to the gut, you’re whole body is likely thanking you.

That’s right – your skin, your brain, your joints, in short almost every system in your body.

  

You’re Well Ahead of the Curve

Medical experts now know that the human body isn’t designed to digest gluten.

Period.

And they’re finding more and more, that most people do not handle gluten all that well. (They just don’t realize it – yet.)

While you or I might feel the effects immediately, after coming into contact with gluten – it makes it that much harder to accept that others won’t notice a thing.

We could become endlessly frustrated, and envious at this point – but what good is that?

Won’t those negative eventually emotions eat away at us?

 

 

You’re More In Tune With Your Body

OK, we’ve established that you’re sensitive to gluten (and possibly a number of other foods) – and that puts you way ahead of the curve.

It also means that you’re probably a lot more aware of other messages that your body might be sending you.

(What – even more messages?)

Hey – there’s no telling what else you might be sensitive to.

In other words, while a clean, healthy diet is certainly the easiest and quickest way to support your health, what we don’t always realize is that there are other things in the environment that could be undermining your hard work.

We call these “environmental triggers”. (And yes, food is one of them).

That’s why it makes sense to check “under the hood” and see what else might need fixing.

But that’s the beauty of it!

Why not recognize, instead, that your sensitivity is actually a gift?

And that ultimately, that gift could spare you from the long-term consequences of not knowing.

 

Now it’s your turn.

Are you one of those people who suffered for years before you finally had a diagnosis?

Once you finally had answer, wasn’t that a good thing?

Can you see how your sensitivity is actually a blessing, rather than a curse? Why or why not?