Comments on: I was wrong … really really wrong …

By: thislusciousra

thislusciousra — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:21:33 +0000

I have read that book and found it super interesting as well. I will have to see what Dr. Oz has up on his site from the interview and YouTube too. I agree about the “gluten-free” foods that are out there … they are just as starchy even without the wheat. For me, I use them if I “have” to but mostly just find other options first. Best of luck in your g-free journey!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 04:00:16 +0000

Have you read or heard of the book Wheat Belly? I saw the doctor/author on the Dr.Oz show and it was super interesting. Check out the video interviews if you get a chance. One of his big points is that it’s not the gluten for most people, its the actual Wheat. He also stresses the importance of avoiding gluten-free foods because they shoot you blood sugar way up. Anyway, I loved your post and I hope I can follow in your foot steps. My vice is chocolate which apparently can contain wheat!! Yikes, haha

By: thislusciousra

thislusciousra — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:39:46 +0000

I started out pretty low gluten anyway, and have mostly been working on finding a few gluten-free alternatives. I found a bakery local to me that makes good GF bread and have also tried some Trader Joe’s products. I especially like the brown rice tortillas. So far so good … I’ll try to post an update after the holiday season …

By: Wren

Wren — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:05:34 +0000

It’s terrific that dropping gluten-containing food from your diet has made such a marked difference. I wonder how you’re coping with the loss of bread and cereal products, however. I’ve been, off and on, following a low-carb diet for several years. One of the hardest parts for me has been giving up the convenience of making a sandwich for lunch, for instance, or having a slice of toast with my egg in the morning. Eventually I always end up adding limited whole grain foods back into my diet… and of course, causing my weight-loss to stop dead. So frustrating! I guess what I’m asking is how you’re managing the change? And congrats!

By: thislusciousra

thislusciousra — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:53:15 +0000

Yes I have heard and do think dairy is probably inflammatory too. And if you research, there are a lot of credible folks who just feel that we don’t need cow’s milk. So many other foods have calcium and so much more benefit without the potential downsides! I have been dairy free before, and it is at least as challenging as being gluten free. Can’t say I felt as many benefits either – but it’s probably my next step too! I sure hope you don’t have RA … just like I hope I don’t have Hashimoto’s (which I suspect but don’t know).

By: thislusciousra

thislusciousra — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:50:14 +0000

Hi Vicky – I definitely have been researching leaky gut syndrome. While I don’t have directly digestive effects from gluten (at least as far as I know), I do believe that it is the leaky gut that is why the gluten proteins may be leaking out into my body and creating autoimmune reactions. So glad to hear being gluten free is helping you too!

Here’s an interesting point that I didn’t put in my blog post: my blood-based inflammatory markers have always been super low. But I think that the changes I have felt are inflammation in my soft tissue (muscles and the tissue around them) reducing. Just my theory …

By: Growing Up Gluten Free

Growing Up Gluten Free — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 12:30:52 +0000

Hashimotos, arthritis, psoriasis, excema, and celiac all run in our family. I’m also reading into the food/arthritis connection as docs think I have RA. Also reading that dairy is inflammatory and have started to take a similar approach with experimenting in how I feel with less dairy intake.

By: vicky clifton

vicky clifton — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:02:10 +0000

How refreshing to find someone who is not only open to the possibility of diet related changes with RA but who has also experienced them. I do not believe that everyone’s RA is diet related or diet affected but I do think that it is a useful concept for people to explore, at the very least. And at the very most it can make a significant difference. I have been gluten free for over a year. My swelling decreased within
a week, the pain levels decreased, my blood results showed a marked reduction in the inflammatory markers. RA is not caused by gluten but the gut is certainly affected by gluten. Google leaky gut syndrome. Happy researching to others and may you also find your pot of golden information at the end of the google rainbow. With love, V.