Gluten Sensitivity - Robert Seik, PharmD

Gluten Sensitivity has become more prevalent and there are numerous research articles linking gluten sensitivity to chronic disease. Gluten is a protein in wheat and many other grains such as wheat, barley and rye. For those sensitive to Gluten, it can actually irritate the lining of our gut and cause inflammation. This inflammation can increase the permeability of the lining and cause Leaky Gut Syndrome, which was mentioned in the gut health video. Leaky Gut Syndrome is linked to Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Scleroderma, all chronic autoimmune disorders.   Since grains store so well and because they are so inexpensive, it is often a common staple in our diet as opposed to more nutrient dense foods. Also, the grains in America have become genetically modified (GMO), so our grains have more gluten in them than they ever have before. We also harvest our grains differently than we did in the past. They are not exposed to the sun and weather, but instead they go straight to the silo.   It is very difficult to eat a gluten-free diet because of these factors. You can find gluten in everything. Many Americans are sensitive to gluten and they don't even know it, but even those who are not would improve their overall health if they went gluten-free.   There are many references to live gluten-free. Gluten-Free Living for Dummies is a recommended book and we've listed other references below. If you remove grains, sugars and dairy from your diet and follow the Paleo Diet, Robert feels you will improve your overall health. He also likes to remove the soy and corn so that the top 5 offenders are removed. Soy and corn are almost 100% modified in the United States. Genetically modified crops have been linked to the development of many autoimmune disorders.   If you've been told that you have gluten sensitivity and you need to heal your gut, this means that your gut lining is irritated and inflamed and you are unable to absorb certain nutrients because of this damage. Over time, a person ends up with sever nutrient deficiencies because of this damage to the nutrient receptors in the gut.   For someone who is diagnosed with Celiac disease, it actually takes someone 10-20 years of exposure before they are actually diagnosed positive through a blood test that shows the antibody gliaten. Gliaten is only one of sixteen peptides found in wheat. By the time you have been diagnosed with Celiac disease you have lost most of your villi in your gut and have very poor absorption. What about those years before the diagnosis when the person is sensitive to gluten and the damage to the gut may be mild, but creating more and more damage over time. This is when you need to act.   There is a kit by NuMedica that was created to heal the gut called Gluten Sensitivity and there is NuMedica Gluten Sensitivity GI Restore, which is 100% Bovine Colostrum. This comes in powder, capsule and spray form, which goes under the tongue. All of these help heal the gut.   It is important to know that many commonly used medications may or do contain gluten, such as antibiotics, antihypertensives, levothyroxine, OTC decongestants, and pain relievers including acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen products. So, if you eat a Gluten-free diet and Robert recommends the Paleo diet, and take these supplements to help heal, you can improve your gastrointestinal function and watch your health soar.   Gluten-Free References Gluten-Free Gourmet Series by Bette Hagman-cookbook Gluten-Free Kitchen by Roben Ryberg-cookbook Gluten Intolerance Group-www.gluten.net   By Robert Seik, PharmD