Posts Tagged Celiac Disease

Glutenated depression is really a bully, just face it down

Saturday, December 26th, 2009
gluten foods


Its very hard for the celiacs (people with celiac disease) to swallow the fact that they need to adhere to gluten-free diet for their life. Many of them lack mental strength to accept this reality. Also, such dietary plans create many deficiencies in the body. It all starts showing up in the form of depression. However, with some simple techniques you can beat this depression for a healthy and enjoyable life!

People having celiac disease are often subjected to severe depression attacks. These may be because of three reasons. Firstly, they are not aware that they are suffering from celiac disease and so they inadvertently consume a big dose of gluten from their daily intake. Simple things like breads, pizzas and other wheat products contain huge quantity of gluten. This in turn affects their villi (lining of your small intestine) and their capacity to absorb essential nutrients is substantially reduced. This results in mal-nutrition and gives rise to several disorders in brain. This can be simply termed as ‘glutenated depression’

Secondly, on realizing that they have celiac disease, they have to accept a bitter truth that they have to take gluten-free diet for lifetime. They are told to change drastically their eating habits and lifestyle, with complete exclusion of wheat. So they will be banned from eating all sorts of breads, pizzas, they cannot drink beer and they will be cutting most of the deserts from their diet. Its very hard to accept these realities easily. Their mind and body will resist. It becomes very hard for them to say “no” to all ‘glutenated’ foods every now and then, even if they are told by their doctor that these things can harm them. Gluten is very nasty nutrient. It will immediately show up.

Starting from diarrhea and stomach upsets, it will make the person sick mentally and physically. So it will lead to glutenated depression.

Thirdly, even if a person follows a strict gluten-free diet, he/she may not be aware of the deficiencies, which such diet creates in the body. So he/she strictly adheres to gluten-free diet, but may not take in essential vitamins and nutrients, wich would have been otherwise part of his/her normal diet. So it will affect his body (mainly brains) and within a short period of time he will start feeling empty and depressed. This is the third cause of glutenated depression.

Symptoms of glutenated depression

Depression, whether glutenated or otherwise, starts showing up quickly. Continuous sad / empty feeling, loss of interest in general, fatigue and depleted energy, sleeping problems and headaches and body aches are the normal symptoms. In many cases, overdose of alcohol or drugs are some of the consequences. So the shadow of depression is cast over the entire life ahead.

How to get rid of glutenated depression

With appropriate medicines and correct strategies, you can get rid of glutenated depression. If you are tested positive for the celiac disease, then you should not waste time. In consultation with your doctor, you can work out a suitable dietary plan. This includes intake of certain vitamins and minerals which you may be missing out due to wheat restrictions.

Other ‘physical’ strategies include improvements in eating habits, taking ‘translation’ foods (like high carb snacks) and increasing physical activity, mainly exercise. There are some ‘precautionary’ strategies like postponing important decisions, setting realistic goals and diverting your attention to something else. Then there are some recreational strategies like trying to stay social and joining a support group.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician on any matters regarding your health.


Gluten Free Food Products

Monday, December 21st, 2009
gluten foods


This article will help to better explain the difference between gluten-free food and food products. The article will also give you a better understanding of what gluten is and how the body can develop an intolerance to it.

Gluten free products are those food products that carry an appropriate mark, symbol or declaration of it. It includes proper labeling of being suitable for persons with celiac disease. Gluten refers to a protein found in wheat, rye, malt and barley. It is also found to a lesser extent in oats.

Gluten is a strict no-no for people with celiac disease. When patients suffering from celiac disease consume gluten the absorptive ‘villi’ in the small intestine get damaged thereby preventing the absorption of many important nutrients. It may be noted that the long-term effect of celiac disease can even be life threatening and even a small amount of gluten can cause the symptoms to reoccur. So, celiac sufferers need to abstain themselves from consuming even little gluten. Again, people who have dermatitis herpetiformis that is gluten induced skin sensitivity need also stay away from foods containing gluten.

Though a gluten free diet is medically imperative only for the sufferers of celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis other people may also prefer to choose such diet. The gluten free diets suggested involve the complete avoidance of all foods made from or containing wheat, rye, barley and oats. Some doctors however opine that oats may be permitted though The Celiac Society disapproves of it. The Celiac Society publishes a list of gluten free manufactured food products in a booklet, which is updated each year.

There is a wide range of specially manufactured gluten free foods like bread, bread mix, pasta, biscuits, cakes, crisp bread and flour are available. Online ventures regarding concerns selling gluten free foods have also come up to facilitate procuring of gluten free foods. These websites of the suppliers promise to offer a huge selection of gourmet gluten free baking mixes, ready to eat breads, snack foods, convenience meals and even cook books. Products made with bean flours and similar other alternatives of wheat flour are provided too.

It must be ensured that the gluten free diet is not lacking in essential nutrients. Gluten free foods have been often found to be lacking in proteins and iron. It is to be ascertained that milk protein or other protein is present in adequate proportions in the gluten free foods available. Also iron rich foods like pulses, lentils, nuts and green vegetables are to be included in adequate proportions.


Gluten Free and Casein Free Diets and the Autism Connection

Saturday, December 19th, 2009
gluten foods


In the study of autism and some of the possible cures, the subject of gluten free and casein free diets is well debated among parents and medical professionals alike.

What is autism? First we must address what autism actually is. Autism is a problem more and more children suffer from, which causes behaviors such as the inability to socialize or communicate, the inability to read symbols and social cues, and the lack of ability to have proper reactions to certain social situations. It can also cause difficulty with eye contact, repetitive behaviors, and overstimulation in loud or raucous situations. The reason for autism is unsolved and has been being debated for years. Doctors have been unable to pinpoint what exactly causes autism, which makes it difficult to treat.

What are glutens? Glutens have been well publicized over the last several years for affecting autism, and other diseases like Celiac Disease. To go “gluten free” as many doctors and parents recommend, means removing all glutens from your diet. Gluten foods are things like wheat, rye, barley, and many starches, which are in things like soy sauce, other sauces, artificial flavoring and coloring, couscous, and vinegars.

What is Casein? Casein may have similar affects, and is found in milk and all products that include milk. This may cause some parents to reach for soy based products- but be careful- as many soy products include casein too. Things to avoid would be milk, butters and margarines, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.

Some children may not be able to digest casein and glutens, which is where the problems begin. It is thought that possibly if these things are not digestible, they remain in the system, and turn into peptides or opiates in the body, which cause different reactions and odd behaviors.

The first thing you can do if your child has autism and you’d like to try gluten or casein free diets are to consult with a physician and a dietician. They will make proper recommendations, which may include removing one food at a time from your child’s diet to try to pinpoint what the problem may be. Many dieticians recommend removing milk from your child’s diet first, because it quickly eliminates itself from the body, and if that is the cause, you may have a prompt diagnosis. There are many websites and books regarding this issue available, which can help you adapt to a diet free of gluten and casein. These websites often offer support groups and allow parents to discuss their recommendations, successes and failures to help you along the way.

Although many doctors say there is no conclusive evidence that having a gluten or casein free diet can help with autism, there are thousands of parents out there who swear by it, saying that their children have seen increased abilities to socialize and communicate. Introducing gluten free and casein free diets could help your child have a more normal life, so it is absolutely worth a try if you are able to commit to the lifestyle changes it can require.


The Facts On ADHD Gluten Diet

Monday, November 30th, 2009
gluten diet


When a friend of mine who is a celiac asked me where to find gluten free bread, I just went to a pharmacist in Naples and found a whole range of gluten free foods. My friend who is British was amazed. The reason is that celiac disease is quite common in southern Italy and also in Ireland. She was in her late thirties at the time and had just been diagnosed as a celiac. We now know that many kids who have ADHD are celiacs and have to follow an ADHD gluten diet.

What does this mean in practical terms ? If your child is diagnosed as a celiac and also has ADHD, then he must follow a gluten free diet. If he does not, there is a risk of permanent damage to the intestine with the possibility of developing cancer (lymphona) in the intestine in adult life. It can also lead to osteoporosis, anemia and the gluten, which is nothing more than a protein, can cause an allergic reaction and the body just cannot cope with it. This is a similar reaction to that of an intolerance to other foods such as lactose. Most symptoms related to gluten intolerance are gastrointestinal in nature, not surprising as the small intestine is the first organ to be affected.

In the case of the gluten, the effects can be more serious in that it can prevent the body from absorbing some nutrients and vitamins. An intolerance to gluten has now been linked in several studies to hyperactivity in ADHD, depression and anxiety. In the ADHD gluten diet all baked products which have used whole wheat flours such as wheat, barley and rye are off limits. These grains give some elasticity in cooking which is why we use them so much in baking. This sort of texture is lacking in some of the gluten free flours and baking procedures have to be adjusted accordingly. I was surprised to learn that there are a wide range of these gluten free flours so the ADHD gluten diet can be quite varied. The grains which have no gluten are quinoa, oats, millet, buckwheat (don’t be put off by the name), cornflour, amaranth and rice.

The best diet of all whether it is gluten free or not is one based on fruit and vegetables some protein and some dairy products. This is probably the best diet all round but it is ideal for those on an ADHD gluten diet. As I said above, baking with the gluten free flours can be a challenge but now there are more and more eateries and food chains catering for celiacs. While a ADHD gluten diet will help in reducing some of the classic ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity and lack of concentration, the best remedy in combination with gluten ADHD is an ADHD homeopathic remedy which has no side effects and no health risks at all.


The Shocking Gluten-ADHD Link – Can Celiac Disease Cause ADHD?

Saturday, November 28th, 2009
gluten diet


If you’re wondering if wheat gluten & ADHD might be related to each other, then you are smart. Celiac disease which is an allergic reaction to wheat gluten is on the rise. In this article, you’ll learn more about the connection between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and wheat gluten and what to do about it.

When a child is allergic to gluten (wheat protein), the lining of the small intestine gets compromised, which results in poor digestion and malabsorption of nutrients. This leads to gastrointestinal problems, but is also responsible for other issues related to malnourishment: poor growth and developmental delays which can lead to problems with learning and attention.Obviously, removing gluten from the diet is the first step in reversing the damage.

Anecdotal Evidence for the ADHD-Gluten Diet Link



  • Most kids who have disorders like ADHD have some form of IBS (inflammatory bowel syndrome). IBS is a classic symptom of celiac disease.

  • Kids who have celiac disease often have a neurologic dysfunction, which is the hallmark of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is a developmental disorder that seems to start in the brain, but may actually have its origins in the gut. If your child cannot get the nutrients that he needs from food, he is literally starving himself. We all know that the stomach feeds the brain.

  • A two-week study of 31 children who were put on a gluten-free diet showed marked behavioral improvements in over half the kids.



Gluten-ADHD Diet Recommendations



  • Since gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley and rye, eliminate these products from your child’s diet. Replace them with gluten-free products, but be sure to read the labels and make sure that there are no chemicals or preservatives. If your child is resistant to dietary changes, make them slowly over time.

  • Eliminate casein from the diet (milk products). Many children who have the gluten-ADHD link are also allergic to milk protein.

  • Purchase a Gluten-free cookbook and learn how to make healthy, delicious baked goods.

  • Give your child a natural remedy designed to treat ADHD, so that his brain can heal more quickly from the damage done by celiac disease.



Although following the recommendations for a ADHD gluten diet is important for kids with celiac disease, it’s not enough to just remove gluten from the diet. This is because it takes up to 12 months of following a gluten-free diet for ADHD symptoms to resolve. Additionally, since an adverse reaction to gluten has caused changes in your child’s brain and nervous system, it is essential to reverse the damage with a natural supplement designed specifically to suppress the symptoms of ADHD, while restoring proper brain function.  

Since all supplements are not created equal, look for one that contains proven ingredients like Arsen Iod, Hyoscyamus and Verta Alb. Make sure the formulation has been approved by the FDA and that the company stands behind their product with a no-questions-asked guarantee. Such a guarantee proves that the company has done their research and is confident that their product works.  This is the best and safest way to boost the effectiveness of a no gluten ADHD diet and give your child the nutrients he needs to calm his brain, focus, pay attention and get back on track.

By respecting the ADHD gluten diet link, eliminating gluten and casein from the diet and giving your child a natural remedy to relieve symptoms and restore brain function, your child will come into his own and fulfill his unique potential. Don’t feel bad that you didn’t learn of this connection earlier: just follow the steps right now. You’ll be surprised at how fast your child recovers. After all, kids are much more resilient than we think.