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"gluten Free Is All The Rage Now"

sandsurfgirl

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sandsurfgirl Collaborator
sandsurfgirl
Posted

A friend of mine was being supportive and said "Well the gluten free diet is all the rage now. People are feeling so healthy when they do it."

Part of me is thrilled that people are catchign on, there's awareness and lots of products and gluten free menus at restaurants.

Part of me is terrified that people are treating it like a fad, so it STILL will not be taken seriously and the fad will go away when they get bored, maybe go the way of the fat free or Atkins fad, while those of us who have a true autoimmune disorder are still stuck with the disease.

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Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

I have that fear too. On the bright side, it's still pretty easy to find lowfat/fat free products and that craze was a solid 20 years ago so stuff that is popular does linger on the market. I think we'll always have the niche brands like Glutino and Kinnikinnick and with an estimated 1 in 100 celiac rate, there will probably always be celiac-friendly restaurants and businesses around even if it isn't as mainstream in another ten years.

sandsurfgirl Collaborator
sandsurfgirl
Posted
  • Author

It was sweet that she was being so supportive. I live in OC, and people tend to be health conscious and into natural health, etc. so I think there is a lot of awareness of celiac and the diet than maybe in some other places. There are gluten free products everywhere, even at all the regular grocery stores.

But I just don't want people to think this is a fad because for us, obviously, it's not.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

I think I wouldn't have any problem with a friend making this comment to me as long as they understood that this wasn't just a fad diet for ME. We have to admit that, yes, it is a fad diet for some, but also use that as an opportunity to explain that for many others it is a medical requirement. It's the people that are diagnosed and yet still cheat that irk me. Or the people that suggest that I could cheat because they think it's just a a fad I'm doing. But as long as your friend understands your reasons for being strict, then it's great that she is aware and being supportive.

srall Contributor
srall
Posted

I have to be honest here. I found out I was gluten intolerant by doing a detox. That's a little "faddy" But oh do I feel better. It's life changing. But my husband will make comments like..."Oh, Stacey (me) and her special diet" when in the meantime I've been bedridden from being accidentally glutened, and years of health problems have corrected including hair loss, brain fog, fatigue, rashes, arthritis, major stomach issues etc...

Maybe more people will figure out they feel better off gluten even if they are just doing it because it's "the thing to do" right now.

curiousgirl Contributor
curiousgirl
Posted

I have to be honest here. I found out I was gluten intolerant by doing a detox. That's a little "faddy" But oh do I feel better. It's life changing. But my husband will make comments like..."Oh, Stacey (me) and her special diet" when in the meantime I've been bedridden from being accidentally glutened, and years of health problems have corrected including hair loss, brain fog, fatigue, rashes, arthritis, major stomach issues etc...

Maybe more people will figure out they feel better off gluten even if they are just doing it because it's "the thing to do" right now.

I'm single and have been single for 15 years or so. I date periodically and enjoy the company of others (so I'm not unsocial). When I read so much about significant others, family and friends, being condisending (sp) or not believing we have this disease, it just IRKS me! If you all have asked them to take a gander at this website and commit to spending 2-4 hours (not even that many) reading some of these POSTS, NOT just the info about the disease, but the posts from real people, and they still act that way, i'm so sorry you have to deal with that....well, you don't really HAVE to deal with them...if you know what I mean. There's divorce due to disrespect (and I don't mean to be disrespectful saying that). Divorce (or separation) could be less time spent together with ANYONE (go to a movie where you don't have to talk, a play, a sports event, etc.). Maybe I'm oversimplifying it? My new friends have presented a challenge because I'll suggest we meet for coffee and of course to them it means something to eat too. Just yesterday, she said, "You're not going to make me eat alone are you??" I just said I'm on an elimination diet to find out what the h_ll I'm allergic to. I'll see how it goes from there.

It seems that I have so much to say, but need to edit, edit, edit, before I post because I don't want to offend anyone here...then after all that editing, I need a nap...ha!

mommyto3 Contributor
mommyto3
Posted

I hate that it's labeled a "fad diet" but maybe more demand for gluten free products will mean greater production, development and lower prices (and hopefully more product in Canada)!

I guess we just have to keep educating on person at a time :rolleyes:

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jackay Enthusiast
jackay
Posted

I have to be honest here. I found out I was gluten intolerant by doing a detox. That's a little "faddy" But oh do I feel better. It's life changing. But my husband will make comments like..."Oh, Stacey (me) and her special diet" when in the meantime I've been bedridden from being accidentally glutened, and years of health problems have corrected including hair loss, brain fog, fatigue, rashes, arthritis, major stomach issues etc...

Maybe more people will figure out they feel better off gluten even if they are just doing it because it's "the thing to do" right now.

My guess is that there will be a lot of people that will try this diet because it is the "in thing to do". Some of those people may get very sick when go back to eating gluten and at that point come to realize that it isn't just a fad diet for them. Others will go back to their gluten and be O.K. with it and still believe that it is just a fad.

Stacey, my husband wasn't at all supportive at first but has come a long way in the past eight months. He has started to cook gluten free meals and watches so I am always careful with what I eat. He finally has his wife back after many, many years so it has become important to him, too. At first he thought it was just another one of those things that wasn't going to work, since I have tried so many.

Good luck!

srall Contributor
srall
Posted

Jackay, I agree. And I shouldn't be too hard on him. He's the foodie in the house and he's saved me in restaurants when I ordered a gumbo...he's the one (or was the one) that knows how food's cooked. I'm getting pretty good though. And also, he's seen the vast difference in my energy level and (tmi) how I have no gas/stomach issues anymore, plus he's nursed me during the gluten reactions which are very intense now that my system is clean, so he is supportive. He just has to make comments to family members to make me seem high maintainence (which I can't spell). We've made some great gluten free meals together. It's just extremely new to him (since March 2010). And new to me too.

K-Dawg Explorer
K-Dawg
Posted

Hey - recently I have had several co-workers make similar comments to me and a few of them are cutting back on their gluten intake. I have mixed feelings about this -- while I appreciate that this means there is some greater access to gluten free foods, I"m also concerned that the seriousness of celiac disease is lost in translation.

Recently I was on vacation in Niagara-on-the-lake, a great little village in Ontario, canada. A tea shop had gluten free food...BUT it was in the same glass cabinet as all the gluten containing muffins, breads, etc...and you could see that cross contamination would be a huge issue. I did not feel safe eating any of the gluten free foods...they were not safe for a celiac, but I'm sure they would have been fine for my friends who are 'trying out' the gluten free diet.

K-Dawg

A friend of mine was being supportive and said "Well the gluten free diet is all the rage now. People are feeling so healthy when they do it."

Part of me is thrilled that people are catchign on, there's awareness and lots of products and gluten free menus at restaurants.

Part of me is terrified that people are treating it like a fad, so it STILL will not be taken seriously and the fad will go away when they get bored, maybe go the way of the fat free or Atkins fad, while those of us who have a true autoimmune disorder are still stuck with the disease.

georgie Enthusiast
georgie
Posted
Hey - recently I have had several co-workers make similar comments to me and a few of them are cutting back on their gluten intake. I have mixed feelings about this -- while I appreciate that this means there is some greater access to gluten free foods, I"m also concerned that the seriousness of celiac disease is lost in translation.

Recently I was on vacation in Niagara-on-the-lake, a great little village in Ontario, canada. A tea shop had gluten free food...BUT it was in the same glass cabinet as all the gluten containing muffins, breads, etc...and you could see that cross contamination would be a huge issue. I did not feel safe eating any of the gluten free foods...they were not safe for a celiac, but I'm sure they would have been fine for my friends who are 'trying out' the gluten free diet.

That is my worry too. That all these people doing gluten-free on a casual basis because it is 'trendy' are making it look bad for those of us that have Coeliac and need to be zero Gluten.

I have just had 3 days on the couch as a shop sold my hubbie some 'gluten-free' biscuits. ( that were not 100% gluten-free). When he rang back to ask and eventually complain the store owner was like - oh they are not 100% gluten-free but most people do not react to them.... like it was no big deal to eat a gluten-free food that was only 99% gluten-free ..... and had not bothered to train her staff to explain the difference between 99% gluten-free and 100% gluten-free....

If I had bought that biscuit and eaten it immediately before driving the car I could have killed myself by driving off the road. ( I would not eat a new food now before driving but I used to in my early days). As it was I spent 3 days on the couch and been in a lot of pain. Hubbie had to ring back 4x before the store even issued an apology/we will train the staff / store credit....

GRRRRRRRRR...... :angry:

lucia Enthusiast
lucia
Posted

I'm not convinced that there are health benefits to eating gluten free, unless you're celiac or gluten intolerant. What's the reason for it?

Seems like it'd be more healthy to concentrate on eating a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh foods. I think the same thing though about "low fat" foods. Studies have shown that people eat more of low fat foods. I'd rather just have smaller portions of my yogurt or mayonnaise with all of the fat.

sandsurfgirl Collaborator
sandsurfgirl
Posted
  • Author

I'm not convinced that there are health benefits to eating gluten free, unless you're celiac or gluten intolerant. What's the reason for it?

Seems like it'd be more healthy to concentrate on eating a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh foods. I think the same thing though about "low fat" foods. Studies have shown that people eat more of low fat foods. I'd rather just have smaller portions of my yogurt or mayonnaise with all of the fat.

I tend to agree. Gluten free is NOT low carb by any means unless you are going low carb. The gluten free stuff has much less whole grain components, more fat and the junk food is just as junky as regular junk food. People who don't have celiac, wheat intolerance, blah blah etc. are better off not being gluten free and getting those whole grains. Barley and rye are especially good if you aren't celiac.

But.... on the other hand.... there is research about gluten causing inflammation in the body, even in non celiacs, so maybe the jury is out on this one.

anabananakins Explorer
anabananakins
Posted

But.... on the other hand.... there is research about gluten causing inflammation in the body, even in non celiacs, so maybe the jury is out on this one.

I went through pretty thorough testing and do not have the genes commonly associated with celiac, so I feel pretty confident that I'm 'just' non-celiac gluten intolerant. I think most of the symptoms that I've had resolve - the bloating, the headaches/brain fog, fatigue etc, are symptoms that I think a lot of people who don't think they have a problem with gluten find resolve when they follow a fad diet like this. Whether it's wheat or gluten, a lot of people feel better when they cut down.

But the symptom most people just doing this as a fad diet wouldn't consider but the one that interests me most is my balance problems. I have consistently failed the Romberg test (where you put your feet together, close your eyes and if you're me, promptly tip over) for years. My GP did a bunch of other neurological tests and didn't seen anything that concerned her so it didn't go any further. But in all my research I kept finding examples of people who tested negative to celiac but showed an improvement to their balance problems when they went strictly gluten free. Since eliminating gluten I get D, stomach cramps and overwhelming fatigue if I get glutened so I've been very careful and I'm confident I'm as 100% as I can be. And it's made a startling difference to my balance. A month ago I re-tried the test and I was better - and I did it again last night and was amazed, it was nearly normal.

So if 1 in 133 people have celiac, and many more know from symptoms that they are gluten intolerant and there are all those autistic kids seeing marked improvement on Gluten-free Casein-free diets and people with MS and then people like me with the balance problems... I really wonder just how many people truly are completely unaffected by gluten*?? Sure a lot of the gluten free products are a lot more refined and sugary than the originals so everyone swapping them isn't idea, but I don't think either they or the originals are vital in our diets. Bread sure is tasty but there are other more nutritious foods. It's popular because it's tasty, pretty cheap, easy to use and filling - it's not vital to anyone's diet, not like vegetables are.

(*Or maybe it's wheat that's the culprit, I might be picking on rye and barley unnecessarily but since I don't at all miss them - never drank beer, can live without malt, all the rye stuff seems to have wheat in it anyway - I don't care to trial them again).

sandsurfgirl Collaborator
sandsurfgirl
Posted
  • Author

I went through pretty thorough testing and do not have the genes commonly associated with celiac, so I feel pretty confident that I'm 'just' non-celiac gluten intolerant. I think most of the symptoms that I've had resolve - the bloating, the headaches/brain fog, fatigue etc, are symptoms that I think a lot of people who don't think they have a problem with gluten find resolve when they follow a fad diet like this. Whether it's wheat or gluten, a lot of people feel better when they cut down.

But the symptom most people just doing this as a fad diet wouldn't consider but the one that interests me most is my balance problems. I have consistently failed the Romberg test (where you put your feet together, close your eyes and if you're me, promptly tip over) for years. My GP did a bunch of other neurological tests and didn't seen anything that concerned her so it didn't go any further. But in all my research I kept finding examples of people who tested negative to celiac but showed an improvement to their balance problems when they went strictly gluten free. Since eliminating gluten I get D, stomach cramps and overwhelming fatigue if I get glutened so I've been very careful and I'm confident I'm as 100% as I can be. And it's made a startling difference to my balance. A month ago I re-tried the test and I was better - and I did it again last night and was amazed, it was nearly normal.

So if 1 in 133 people have celiac, and many more know from symptoms that they are gluten intolerant and there are all those autistic kids seeing marked improvement on Gluten-free Casein-free diets and people with MS and then people like me with the balance problems... I really wonder just how many people truly are completely unaffected by gluten*?? Sure a lot of the gluten free products are a lot more refined and sugary than the originals so everyone swapping them isn't idea, but I don't think either they or the originals are vital in our diets. Bread sure is tasty but there are other more nutritious foods. It's popular because it's tasty, pretty cheap, easy to use and filling - it's not vital to anyone's diet, not like vegetables are.

(*Or maybe it's wheat that's the culprit, I might be picking on rye and barley unnecessarily but since I don't at all miss them - never drank beer, can live without malt, all the rye stuff seems to have wheat in it anyway - I don't care to trial them again).

Now that is fascinating! Good for you for keeping up the diet despite the lack of testing evidence for it.

The guy who diagnosed me treats his RA with gluten free diet. He isn't celiac. He is off RA meds entirely and totally pain free on a gluten free diet.

lucia Enthusiast
lucia
Posted

The guy who diagnosed me treats his RA with gluten free diet. He isn't celiac. He is off RA meds entirely and totally pain free on a gluten free diet.

I would put him in the category of gluten intolerant. His body is clearly reacting to gluten.

I guess, then, the question is if Gwyneth Paltrow and others who inconsistently follow a gluten-free diet have a medical benefit from it. I would never discourage someone from abstaining from gluten, but I wouldn't encourage it as a health priority either unless there was a good reason for it.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I went through pretty thorough testing and do not have the genes commonly associated with celiac, so I feel pretty confident that I'm 'just' non-celiac gluten intolerant. I think most of the symptoms that I've had resolve - the bloating, the headaches/brain fog, fatigue etc, are symptoms that I think a lot of people who don't think they have a problem with gluten find resolve when they follow a fad diet like this. Whether it's wheat or gluten, a lot of people feel better when they cut down.

But the symptom most people just doing this as a fad diet wouldn't consider but the one that interests me most is my balance problems. I have consistently failed the Romberg test (where you put your feet together, close your eyes and if you're me, promptly tip over) for years. My GP did a bunch of other neurological tests and didn't seen anything that concerned her so it didn't go any further. But in all my research I kept finding examples of people who tested negative to celiac but showed an improvement to their balance problems when they went strictly gluten free. Since eliminating gluten I get D, stomach cramps and overwhelming fatigue if I get glutened so I've been very careful and I'm confident I'm as 100% as I can be. And it's made a startling difference to my balance. A month ago I re-tried the test and I was better - and I did it again last night and was amazed, it was nearly normal.

So if 1 in 133 people have celiac, and many more know from symptoms that they are gluten intolerant and there are all those autistic kids seeing marked improvement on Gluten-free Casein-free diets and people with MS and then people like me with the balance problems... I really wonder just how many people truly are completely unaffected by gluten*?? Sure a lot of the gluten free products are a lot more refined and sugary than the originals so everyone swapping them isn't idea, but I don't think either they or the originals are vital in our diets. Bread sure is tasty but there are other more nutritious foods. It's popular because it's tasty, pretty cheap, easy to use and filling - it's not vital to anyone's diet, not like vegetables are.

What you are describing so well is gluten ataxia. Gluten can attack many organs other than the gut for years before gut symptoms show up, if they do. Doctors unfortunately don't realize this. You can be celiac with no gut symptoms and it sounds like you are someone who fits in this catagory. I think the blood test and biopsy are likely more accurate for folks that have gut symptoms rather than stuff like joint or brain impact so alot of folks that could be helped aren't.

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

I went through pretty thorough testing and do not have the genes commonly associated with celiac, so I feel pretty confident that I'm 'just' non-celiac gluten intolerant. I think most of the symptoms that I've had resolve - the bloating, the headaches/brain fog, fatigue etc, are symptoms that I think a lot of people who don't think they have a problem with gluten find resolve when they follow a fad diet like this. Whether it's wheat or gluten, a lot of people feel better when they cut down.

But the symptom most people just doing this as a fad diet wouldn't consider but the one that interests me most is my balance problems. I have consistently failed the Romberg test (where you put your feet together, close your eyes and if you're me, promptly tip over) for years. My GP did a bunch of other neurological tests and didn't seen anything that concerned her so it didn't go any further. But in all my research I kept finding examples of people who tested negative to celiac but showed an improvement to their balance problems when they went strictly gluten free. Since eliminating gluten I get D, stomach cramps and overwhelming fatigue if I get glutened so I've been very careful and I'm confident I'm as 100% as I can be. And it's made a startling difference to my balance. A month ago I re-tried the test and I was better - and I did it again last night and was amazed, it was nearly normal.

So if 1 in 133 people have celiac, and many more know from symptoms that they are gluten intolerant and there are all those autistic kids seeing marked improvement on Gluten-free Casein-free diets and people with MS and then people like me with the balance problems... I really wonder just how many people truly are completely unaffected by gluten*?? Sure a lot of the gluten free products are a lot more refined and sugary than the originals so everyone swapping them isn't idea, but I don't think either they or the originals are vital in our diets. Bread sure is tasty but there are other more nutritious foods. It's popular because it's tasty, pretty cheap, easy to use and filling - it's not vital to anyone's diet, not like vegetables are.

(*Or maybe it's wheat that's the culprit, I might be picking on rye and barley unnecessarily but since I don't at all miss them - never drank beer, can live without malt, all the rye stuff seems to have wheat in it anyway - I don't care to trial them again).

As Ravenwoodglass said, you very likely have gluten ataxia. Here's a couple articles you might find interesting about neurologic diseases related to gluten in the absence of GI involvement. I'm happy to hear you figured it out!

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Researchers like Maki think that a lot more people than just folks with a formal celiac diagnisis tend to feel better off gluten. Nobody has a firm number, but I bet it's as high as 1 in 10 among people of Northern European descent who have the genetic tendencies for celiac.

Aphreal Contributor
Aphreal
Posted

This is my POV and this may have been said but I didn't read all the responses. I think people are confusing gluten-free with Low or no carb because of the correlation between breads in general and carbs. I am rather irked that they think this is some fun new toy to play with to loose weight when people like you or me struggle to not eat gluten because we have very painful and embarassing consequences.

HMPH!

chante Newbie
chante
Posted

My issue with the fad diet of gluten-free is restaurants assuming when you ask for gluten-free that you are doing it as a fad and not a medical requirement. I have had 50% of the restaurants (that do not offer gluten-free menu) ask me if I really needed gluten-free or if I was just opting to be gluten-free. And this may seem like are looking at out for me, but the tone and body language isn't that, it's pure annoyance on their end.

anabananakins Explorer
anabananakins
Posted

As Ravenwoodglass said, you very likely have gluten ataxia. Here's a couple articles you might find interesting about neurologic diseases related to gluten in the absence of GI involvement. I'm happy to hear you figured it out!

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Researchers like Maki think that a lot more people than just folks with a formal celiac diagnisis tend to feel better off gluten. Nobody has a firm number, but I bet it's as high as 1 in 10 among people of Northern European descent who have the genetic tendencies for celiac.

Thank you both, and for the links too! Very interesting reading. There are so many pieces to this puzzle.

I fit very solidly in to the Northern European category... I'm of english and irish background. Given my symptoms, I was quite surprised I didn't share the gene. Maybe it'll be clearer after a few more decades of research. I'm only 33 - who knows what we'll know when I'm twice this age.

lucia Enthusiast
lucia
Posted

Researchers like Maki think that a lot more people than just folks with a formal celiac diagnisis tend to feel better off gluten. Nobody has a firm number, but I bet it's as high as 1 in 10 among people of Northern European descent who have the genetic tendencies for celiac.

That's a really high number. Thanks, Skylark.

tater218 Newbie
tater218
Posted

I know that before I was diagnosed with celiac, I thought about doing gluten-free for my autistic son, but couldn't bring myself to change so much for something that there was no guarantee would help. Now i have no choice, and its not as hard as I thought, but I think for someone to do this diet just for it being all the "rage", seems like so much work lol. My whole life has been altered, everything has been shifted to another planet and I'm learning how to do things all over again. I probally would have got the gluten-free stuff from the cabinet next to the regular stuff and been proud that I found gluten-free muffins, only to have an unexplained tummy ache and nausea for days after. I do agree that I hope foods become more readily available and cheaper. I have 5 kids, so its cook gluten-free for all or cook 2 meals, I'd rather only have to cook once. We live on chicken, rice and veggies lol :)

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

That's a really high number. Thanks, Skylark.

That's just my own guess from observing friends and family. So far, I have four gluten-free folks among my close friends and three more friends of friends I know of. Counting myself, that's eight and only one is diagnosed celiac. I know three have negative celiac bloodwork.

One of these people might be "fadliac" and he is eating grain-free. The rest have noticeable health problems from gluten. and range anywhere from avoidance to strict gluten-free.

precious831 Contributor
precious831
Posted

I have mixed feelings about this. Oh and it really irritates me when people think it's just a fad diet. I explain to people this is not a "fad diet"(because they say I'm skinny) for me. I do this to survive.

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But I want to knos if it would be enough to do damage.” NO - this is OCD brain at its best! Hijacking your thoughts and justifying it because of the very real fear of gluten contamination. That’s OCD all over. Like a devil in the driving seat. Fears that are based on some kind of reality are hard to argue with. Boss it back! Recognise this for what it is. OCD using fear of gluten as its excuse to keep you entrapped. Own the OCD in this scenario, don’t let it own you. Normal cleanliness rules apply. Washing your hands before you handle food you’re putting in your mouth is fine. Washing after the gym is normal. Once daily cleansing wipe of your phone etc. Even if you did go rubbing your hands all over surfaces and licking them there might be a trace exposure to gluten possible. But I’m guessing you don’t usually do that sort of thing. Even if you inadvertently were to ingest trace gluten - it won’t be enough to do damage, no. It takes weeks to months of at least a few hundred milligrams of gliadin daily for the innate immune system followed by the adaptive immune system in coeliac disease to kick in and start producing antibodies and cause villous atrophy. “3. Is an endoscopy (without biopsy) enough to tell if my intestines are healed? I’d pay privately if it could help and if i dont get a refferal. Or do i need a biopsy?” Only biopsy, as the gold standard of diagnosis, can tell for certain if villi have recovered. Having said that video capsule etc. can give an indication of any inflammation. “4. Could my job (powder coating, sandblasting, etc.) expose me to gluten or damage my intestines through air/dust?” Assuming your employer provides all necessary PPE - appropriate mask and overalls etc. All you can do is take the precautions that are advised according to risk assessments and regulations of the relevant industry governing bodies? (I don’t know what this would be in the USA. Sorry. But there’s safety and governing regs in the UK for this sort of thing. Assuming it would be very similar over the pond in fairness). “5. Do I need certified gluten-free toothpaste, hand soap, shampoo, or moisturizer? (For example: Vaseline and Colgate don’t contain gluten ingredients but say they can’t guarantee it’s gluten-free.)” This comes down to personal threshold of gluten tolerance. People that are highly sensitive may need certified products. Especially those with dermatitis herpetiformis - the skin manifestation of gluten sensitivity. Listen to your body on this one. “6. Is spices like pepper with “may contain traces of gluten” safe if no gluten ingredients are listed? Or does everything need to be labeled gluten-free?” This one is easy - when following a strict gluten free diet, avoid products that say May contain traces of gluten. But it does not have to be labelled gluten free. There are many foods naturally gluten free. Having said that, there is nuance and personal tolerance threshold. If you’re super sensitive “may contain gluten” labelling is a godsend. But this kind of labelling is more aimed at informing customers with type 1 food hypersensitivity/ allergy reactions. The company is basically legally covering themselves, because there may be a risk of cross contamination. Not to be confused that it means there is cross contamination. In addition to products being labelled gluten free. Many products that are labelled can still contain gluten by the way - in fact any processed products labelled gluten free can still contain the allowable level of gluten (up to 20 parts per million according to Codex). A study was done not too long ago that showed gluten free processed products such as cereals, breads, flours etc. can and some are in fact contaminated and have above the legal allowable amount of gluten in them. While most gluten free products are fine for most celiac patients and tolerated, highly sensitive patients fail to heal fully if relying on processed gluten free products. The trace gluten exposure adds up for someone eating a typical western diet of gluten free cereal for breakfast, gluten free sandwich for lunch, gluten free pasta or pizza for dinner for example day after day, week after week. This is why, at least in the beginning after diagnosis, the gluten free diet should be one of whole real food - food that does not require a label. Meats, oily fish, eggs, beans, natural gluten free complex carbohydrates and vegetables according to custom and taste. Limit fruit as fructose worsens leaky gut and has been hypothetically linked to increased OCD and ADHD - Professor Richard Johnson published study on this recently. “7. Is continuing to only eat my own food the better choice, or could I eventually go back to eating what my mom cooks if she’s careful?” NO and YES. What you listed as your current, limited diet is nutrient poor. Correct it as soon as possible for your own sake and future health! Ditto what others have replied regarding vitamin and minerals that are lacking in malabsorption syndromes like celiacs and need replenishing. Gluten free products are not fortified. You were likely healthier, dare I say it, on a gluten containing diet for this reason. Your brain , and gut for healing and maintenance, needs lots of nourishment from omega 3s, B complex vitamins, folate, B12, iron, selenium etc. Meats, fish, natural fats that come with, do not fear - the brain is made of fat. Limit sugar, seed oils, and high glycemic cereals and fruit like bananas unfortunately as they can cause blood sugar highs and lows that can worsen anxiety in some people. Refined carbohydrates should be limited for the same reason. Fructose and simple sugars in excess feed the unhealthy gut bugs that wreak havoc with anxiety disorders like OCD. White potatoes can be problematic for some, also. It can take six weeks of elimination to see improvements. Note, consult your physician regards insulin adjustment if you reduce carbohydrates in the diet. Dr Bernstein diabetes protocol has worked for thousands. Ketogenic and low carbohydrate diets for mental and neurological conditions have shown improvements. Limited studies have and are being conducted under metabolic psychology and nutritional psychology. In a good proportion of anxiety disorders, mental, and neurological conditions including dementias, the brain is lacking nutrition and usable energy, not a drug. Similar in many autoimmune conditions, including celiacs, the prevailing hypothesis is that gut inflammation and resultant permeability allowing exposure to antigens begets triggering the genetically susceptible immune system response. Modern lifestyle exposure, one of the biggest being the food we choose to eat plays a huge role. Avoid ultra processed products, high in seed oils, refined grains, and sugar. Not just gluten can cause a leaky gut. Fructose, alcohol, egg white lysozyme, emulsifiers, added gums, the list goes on. “8. is cutlery from dishwasher safe if there are stains? Stuff like knives is used for cutting gluten bread or fork for noodles etc. I often see stains which i dont know if it’s gluten or something else but our dish washer doesnt seem to make it completely clean.” If in doubt have your own cutlery set, plate and dishes etc. for your sole use that you handwash yourself. Carry a camping fork/spoon set when out and about if needed. “9. I wash my hands multiple times while preparing food. Do i need to do the same when touching my phone. Like if i touch the fridge handle, I wash my hands then touch the phone. I dont eat while using my phone but i leave it on my bed and pillow and my face could come in contact with where it was.” That’s a classic OCD fear. Nothing to do with gluten as such. OCD brain is using gluten as the excuse here. I personally have the habit of using a cleansing wipe or dust cloth on my phone, nightly, that eases this sort of worry. For example a micro fibre dust cloth will do the trick, keep one on your nightstand? They are antibacterial as particles cling to the cloth. “10. Do i need to clean my phone or laptop if theyve been used by people who eat gluten? Even if no crumbs fall onto my keybaord, i mean because of invisible gluten on their fingers.”  NO. But again these OCD thoughts are hard to argue with. If in doubt, just a quick wipe with a cloth daily should suffice. Normal cleanliness practice. But if you don’t, or forget, don’t sweat the small stuff. “11. Does medication/supplements have to be strictly glutenfree? One company said they couldn‘t guarantee if their probiotics don’t contain traces of gluten.” Better if it is gluten free, yes. “12. I had bought supplements in the past, some of them say glutenfree and some of them dont(like the brand „NOW“ from iherb). I bought them and used them when i wasnt washing my hands so often, are they still safe? As I touched and opened them after touching door knobs, water taps etc. It was like a year ago when i bought those and even though i was eating gluten-free, I never worried about what i touch etc.” Still safe if do not explicitly contain gluten grains / derivatives AND if within the use by and use within dates. “I know this post is long. I’m just extremely overwhelmed. I’m trying to protect myself from long-term health damage, but the OCD is destroying my quality of life, and I honestly don’t know what’s a reasonable level of caution anymore.” Really hope these replies to your questions help. Just remember, in the midst of overwhelming thoughts and darkness under OCD clouded vision, the light and sunshine is always shining above. Take a moment or two when you are able in each day - even if it’s last thing at night - to meditate. Focus on something that you enjoy and appreciate. Or sit in a quiet space and try to relax and tune in to your higher self. Ask for guidance and soothing from your guardian angel. Over time it works but don’t worry if your brain is anxious. Eventually it will quieten down some. Try to focus on a real food, nutrient dense and naturally gluten free diet, this will help your anxiety and future health in the long run. Please eat real food - not cornflakes and sandwiches. Eat a steak, eggs or fish for example. Gluten exposures may happen, but don’t sweat it, dust yourself off so to speak, and carry on with a natural gluten free diet as best you can. Own your OCD don’t let it own you! Similarly, when it comes to a gluten free diet for celiac disease, own the process, don’t let it own you! You’re 18. That’s great. I’ve been managing OCD since childhood (in my 40s now. Many years of research, trial and error so to speak. Diet makes a difference. To quote Doc Brown to teenagers Marty and Jennifer, ‘ …your future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has. It’s whatever you make it. So make it a good one.’
    • maryannlove
      Gluten free thyroid medications

      By maryannlove · Posted

      Unfortunately not going to be able to let you know how Amneal is working because I still have almost 3 month supply of Mylan.  Had annual appointment with endocrinologist last week (though get scripts for blood work more often) and since was on my last refill, she sent new script to pharmacist.  Staying on my Mylan until it's gone.  (I tend to build up a supply because after trying a couple of endocrinologists for my Hashimotos, one finally got my thyroid regulated by my taking only six days a week instead of adjusting the strength which had me constantly up and down.  Will be forever grateful to her.  Apparently high percentage of folks with Celiac also have Hashimotos so all this relevant/helpful on Celiac.com.    
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