Should you remove gluten from your diet? (I get asked this question a lot).
The short answer is “It depends”.
What do I mean by this? In a nutshell, it depends on what’s going on in your body.
It depends on the signs and symptoms you’re experiencing.
And it also depends on your test results!
Of course, if your tests come back negative, then you’re in the clear – at least for the time being – more on that later.
But it’s super important that you get the RIGHT tests!
You don’t want to stop there, either.
Because it’s just as important to know what other foods you might be reacting to – it isn’t always gluten that’s the culprit. Other things to consider (in no particular order) are: your gut health, exposure to environmental toxins – particularly in your home, your quality of sleep and how you manage stress.
That said, whatever your problem foods are, that’s the first thing you want to focus on – so your body can start to heal.
Signs & Symptoms
First – about those symptoms you’ve been having.
The best way to interpret any kind of symptom – whether it’s indigestion or a headache – is to understand that this is your immune system talking to you.
It’s basically saying, “Hey – something’s up.”
(Seriously, how many of us heed those warnings when they first crop up?)
Got a tummy ache?
You say to yourself, “Oh, it must be something I ate.”
Bingo!
You’ve made the connection – yes, it probably was something you ate.
And you’re reaction is likely due to one of the following:
- You have undiagnosed Celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity
- You have an undiagnosed food allergy or food sensitivity
- The food in question has gone bad
- You might have an underlying infection
- Your digestion isn’t up to par (see above)
Regardless, your immune system is now on high alert and telling you, “Whatever it is that you’re doing, I don’t’ like it – please stop!”
What Tests Do You Need?
There’s a lot of controversy here, but what it comes down to is this:
While there are one or two exceptions (which I’ll get to in a minute) typical blood work at most labs tests for only ONE gluten antibody – known as alpha gliadin. (This usually appears on your labs as ‘gliadin’, for short).
However, alpha gliadin is just one out of a possible 60 different peptides that could be screened for reactions to wheat. And that’s quite an oversight!
It’s also a big problem.
However, it’s not all grim. There are a couple of labs that offer more advanced testing – Cyrex Labs, and the Wheat Zoomer test from Vibrant Wellness. especially critical for diagnosing celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, as there are so many ways that standard tests can go awry. Translation: you’ll get a False Negative result.
In other words, you could actually have Celiac Disease or gluten sensitivity, but the tests will come back negative. For a detailed explanation, check out my video: “F is for False Negative” – and don’t stop there! My newly released “A Gluten Primer – Everything You Wanted to Know from A-Z” video series covers this at length, along with leaky gut, inflammation, autoimmune disease and SO much more! Check it out here).
The right tests are critical, I can’t stress that enough.
The Wheat Zoomer test, in particular, uses state-of-the art microchip technology & has a 99% accuracy rate – while also testing for many MORE of those 60+ proteins that make up gluten – not just alpha gliadin (the lab standard), including the reactive portion of wheat that is NON-gluten!
Together, this gives you and your doctor, health practitioner or coach – (I recommend a team approach) – a more accurate picture, so you’ll know exactly what your Next Steps should be.
It Always Comes Back to Your Diet.
In the end, it always comes down to cleaning up your diet.
If you want to be healthy, you’ve got to consume food that’s clean, and nutrient dense.
Switching from gluten-containing foods to gluten-free breads, cookies, cereal and pastas that are full of chemicals, sugar and overly processed ingredients won’t give you the results you want.
Why?
Well, a gluten-free cookie is still a cookie!
(It’s fine as an occasional treat, but every day, multiple times a day is a problem).
Do you feel yourself resisting?
Are you hesitant to take these first steps that could literally change your life – and the outcome of your health?
Do you believe the aches and pains of getting older are inevitable – or avoidable?
Still unsure?
Here’s another way of looking at it.
- When did you first notice your symptoms?
- What have you done so far to alleviate those symptoms?
- And how is that working for you?
What I typically ask my clients is this: “If what you’ve tried so far isn’t working, are you ready to try something new?
In this way, I offer a fresh perspective, and a new beginning.
If you’re you ready to set yourself up for the success you deserve, check out my newly released “A Gluten Primer – Everything You Wanted to Know from A-Z” video series”for details!
Inquiries are welcome! Contact me at info@designahealthylife.com for additional information.
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