Gluten or not to gluten.....

That really has been the big question going around lately.  At first I thought it was just another fad, like no fat, low fat, no sugar or low sugar (which just means there is a fake chemical sugar that is worse for you in that product usually) .  I should actually write on all the fake sugars and what they actually do to your body, really scary!  Anyway.... there is always something we shouldn't eat or that we absolutely should because it is a miracle food it will somehow improve your life with out you doing anything except ingesting it ;).  Oh how I wish that was true!

There is something to this anti-gluten movement though.  I have read about it, experienced it with clients and believe I may have an intolerance as well.  You see you can have an intolerance but not have a major illness associated with it.  Gluten affects all of the bodies systems.  If you were wondering what it actually is, it is a protein found in grains.  And really it is in everything, it is a protein with a sticky glue like consistency and it is used as a "binder, filler, shaper, bulking agent, texturizer, and stabilizer." according to Alejandro Junger MD.  So of course something so useful to the food industry is going to be in everything.  Also according to Dr. Junger in his book Clean Gut "Gluten is associated with cancers of the mouth and throat, esophagus, small intestines, and lymph nodes.  It is also associated with Type 1 diabetes as well as thyroid disorders, such as Hashimoto's, the most commonly diagnosed thyroid dysfunction in America."  It is also associated with many other autoimmune diseases, and it is really bad for your gut!  From what I have seen everything bad that can happen can originate in the gut and once you have your gut health under control bad things can be prevented.  This is why I am such an advocate of Clean eating programs and detoxes!

One of the best most informative books that I absolutely love on this subject is by the man I have referenced in this blog.  Clean Gut by Alejandro Junger MD.  He has written several books on the subject of gut health and all of them are very good.

So in my experience I believe gluten should be avoided if not completely taken out of your diet.  You may be surprised by the difference it makes in the way you feel if you eliminate it.  Even to remove it for a time just to see how it really affects your health may really be worth it.  I have a 15 day clean eating program that does this, I will also be adding a 28 day program soon as well, so if you want to see how you may be able to improve the way you feel with some support please go check it out.  There are several programs out there so if not mine please try and stay proactive with your health and try one.

Here is to your good health! Thanks for reading!