Why is gluten making us sick?

If people have been eating wheat for thousands of years, how could it possibly be bad for us? Why is bread so addictive, making it feel hard to give up? How does gluten damage the body?
In this podcast, Anne Buzzelli and I discuss the how roving gluten molecules go rogue on the body. Anne breaks down the complex biochemistry that causes us to feel addicted to wheat, and what we can do to overcome that addiction. She explains why gluten is one of the most inflammatory foods in the modern diet, causing great damage to our bodies. We discuss testing for gluten sensitivity, and we highlight strategies for cutting it out of our diets. Anne shares,

“Wheat is no longer wheat. Wheat’s genetic code has been tinkered with over the last few decades. The stuff on our fields & shelves is made from a different plant than our ancestors ate. We’re eating much more of it than we used to, as it’s now easily part of every meal and snack. Formerly, it was hard to process wheat by hand or with basic machinery, but now we can whip it up in our food factories. Some processing methods add enzymes to wheat to make it fluffier and longer-lasting, but that enzyme also makes it more difficult to digest and more inflammatory.”

Gluten

Many of you know that I have Celiac genes, which produce a severe autoimmune reaction to gluten. Some people with Celiac genes have LOTS of symptoms, while other people have ZERO symptoms. Gluten is like poison for me, rendering me with severe symptoms if I accidentally consume any amount. Navigating the gluten-free world comes with a lot of challenges, and this is why many people seek the guidance of a Dietitian, Nutritionist, or qualified health coach. Both Anne and I help guide clients through the challenges of testing for gluten sensitivity, as well as helping them craft an individual plan for succeeding in gluten-free living. This includes:
  • healing your gut and body from years of inflammatory damage caused by gluten (or other food sensitivities);
  • discovering the zillions of secret places where gluten hides (like in chapstick, medications, makeup, lotion, shampoos, stamps, and chewing gum);
  • understanding gluten-free ingredients;
  • eating in restaurants (even when they claim to have gluten-free items on the menu, many restaurants are often still serving gluten in their gluten-free items);
  • getting your family’s support when you choose to adopt gluten-free living;
  • navigating parties and social gatherings gluten-free;
  • avoiding genetically modified organisms (which run rampant in processed gluten-free foods)
  • gaining confidence to cook gluten-free meals for yourself and family;
  • navigating gluten-free travel in airports, hotels, cruise ships, road trips, and more;
  • building your individual blueprint for delightful gluten-free living

Find out how to work with us:

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

Anne Buzzelli, MS, RD

Bio: Anne Buzzelli is a Registered Dietitian who offers nutritional strategies designed to support your unique biochemical make-up. Your individuality does not stop at your fingerprints so cookie-cutter approaches are not enough! Anne uses a whole foods approach because that’s what humans ate before we started making food with heavy machinery. She got her Masters in Nutrition at Bastyr University in Seattle after deciding to leave her former career as a computer programmer. Anne owns an Integrative Nutrition Practice in historic Staunton, Virginia (BuzzNutrition.com), and also enjoys teaching classes and leading corporate nutrition programs.

 

 

 

Frances Arnold Johnson, RDN, CD, CLT

Frances Arnold Johnson, RDN, CD, CLT

 

Bio: Hello, I’m Frances Arnold, co-founder of NamasteNutritionist.com and the Namaste Nutritionist Podcast. My mission is to help make nutrition sane, intuitive, and deeply satisfying. My nutrition advice is anti-fad, free of special interests, and supports deep health. I specialize in helping people improve their weight, energy, digestion, aches & pains. My approach to health is to nourish mind, body and soul with real food and real joy.

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