Posts in category: Podcast

Dough Nation: A Nurse’s Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

Books by Nadine:

Regain and Maintain Your Health with a Paleo Diet EP009

February 3, 2017

by Nadine Grzeskowiak, RN with No Comment Podcast

This episode of the ‘Gluten Free RN’ podcast outlines the benefits of adopting a Paleo diet in order to regain and then maintain your health. Patients with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can get better, faster by choosing the Paleo option.

Nadine shares how changing her eating habits had an incredibly positive impact on her health as she went from feeling better on a gluten-free diet to feeling fantastic on her own variation of a Paleo diet.

Nadine gets specific about the foods you can and cannot eat and the incredible health benefits of going Paleo. Listen in and learn how to get back the health you deserve by focusing on good food!

What’s Discussed:

The foods to avoid on a Paleo diet

The foods you can eat on a Paleo diet

Nadine’s story

The concept of food as medicine

All disease starts in the gut

Where to locate organic fruits and vegetables and meat with no antibiotics/no hormones

The health benefits of a Paleo diet

Clears up lingering gluten issues
Helps achieve sustainable weight loss
Affords clearer, smoother skin
Improves the immune system
Allows for better sleep

The importance of sleep hygiene

Your body heals while you sleep
Eight to ten hours is optimal

Why fat is essential in absorbing nutrients

Vitamins A, D, E & K are fat soluble

The best sources of fat for nutrient absorption

Avocados
Grass fed meats
Olive oil or coconut oil
Nuts
Nut butters
Fish oil
Eggs

Resources Mentioned:

Paleo Magazine

The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet by Robb Wolf

Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo

The Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease and Heal Your Body by Sarah Ballantyne

Midway Farms http://www.midwayfarmsoregon.com/

Connect with Nadine:

Dough Nation: A Nurse’s Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

Books by Nadine:

Intestinal Health and Antibiotic Resistant Threats EP008

January 27, 2017

by Nadine Grzeskowiak, RN with No Comment Podcast

This time on the ‘Gluten Free RN’ podcast, Nadine explores the connection between gluten intolerance and antibiotic-resistant threats. Because damaged intestines compromise the immune system, undiagnosed celiac patients are more likely to develop infections that necessitate antibiotics.

Nadine summarizes the 2013 CDC report, Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, explaining the three microorganisms identified in the report with a Threat Level of Urgent. Listen and learn how to protect yourself and your family from the public health threat posed by these bacteria!

What’s Discussed:

The prevalence of undiagnosed celiac disease and gluten intolerance

30-50% of the population carry the HLA-DQ2 and/or DQ8 genes

The importance of healthy intestinal tissue

70-90% of the immune system is in your intestines

The soldier analogy

Healthy villi are like rested soldiers with loaded weapons on a clear day who can easily take out antigens that don’t belong
Damaged villi are like soldiers on a bender with inadequate weaponry, operating in smoke and fire – they either don’t work at all or fire randomly at antigens

The need for a more judicious approach to prescribing antibiotics

Overuse of antibiotics wipes out good microbiome along with bad

How to rebuild microbiome

Kombucha
High-quality probiotics
Fermented foods
Apple cider vinegar

The need for IgA and IgG testing to complement a celiac panel

The public health threat posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria

The 2013 CDC report details 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths yearly

The connection between damaged intestines and a higher risk of bacterial infection requiring antibiotics

The three microorganisms with a Threat Level of Urgent

Clostridium difficile (causes profuse diarrhea, 14,000 deaths/year)
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (50% fatal, 600 deaths/year)
Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The causes of inflammation in your intestines

Gluten
Dairy
Sugar

Why Nadine has concerns about the potential pandemic and huge loss of life presented by large numbers of undiagnosed celiac patients who are susceptible to bacterial infections

Resources Mentioned:

CDC Report: Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013

Enterolab Website

Cyrex Laboratories Website

PubMed

Connect with Nadine:

Dough Nation: A Nurse’s Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

Books by Nadine:

Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance in the Elderly Population EP007

January 20, 2017

by Nadine Grzeskowiak, RN with One Comment Podcast

In this episode of ‘Gluten Free RN,’ Nadine discusses potential signs of celiac disease and gluten intolerance in those 65 and older. Many go undiagnosed because their symptoms are dismissed as a normal part of aging.

Nadine explains how nutritional deficiencies triggered by gluten intolerance can cause the elderly to acquire a list of diagnoses and medications that might not be necessary and do not address the underlying cause of degeneration.

This episode outlines how health setbacks common in the older population (osteoporosis, GI issues, dementia and degenerative disease) may be symptoms of celiac disease that could be improved or even eliminated with a gluten-free diet. Listen and learn how to improve the quality of life for those 65 and up!

What’s Discussed:

The prevalence of celiac disease in the older population

30% of people diagnosed with celiac disease are over the age of 60
The elderly population has a prevalence of celiac disease 1-2% greater than the general population

The recommended diet for elderly celiac patients

Nadine advocates both a gluten- and casein-free diet

The genes that carry celiac disease

Nadine’s story

Undiagnosed celiac disease left her with multi-system organ failure at the age of 40
A gluten-free diet fixed the nutritional deficiencies and allowed her body to regenerate

The benefits of adopting a gluten-free diet as an older adult

Reverse damage done by gluten
Prevent health problems like dementia, osteoporosis, and osteopenia

GI issues that may be symptoms of celiac disease and gluten intolerance in older adults

How a nutritional panel can reveal deficiencies that may be caused by gluten intolerance

Low levels of vitamins D, B6, B12, iron, and zinc point to a difficulty absorbing important nutrients
An imbalance of magnesium and/or calcium can cause heart arrhythmia and muscle fasciculation

Why men suffering from osteoporosis and anemia should be tested for celiac disease

The connection between erectile dysfunction and potential gluten intolerance

ED can be either a neurological disorder or a condition caused by hypoxia

The probable link between Type 1 or 2 diabetes and celiac disease

The importance of testing patients on cholesterol or blood pressure medication for celiac disease

Why Nadine recommends all patients 65 and older be tested for celiac disease yearly

Not every patient will test positive but can seroconvert at anytime

How the appropriate absorption of fat can help older patients with gluten intolerance “get their brains back”

Our brains are made of fat and every nerve is covered with myelin
A brain starved of fat can cause a patient to suffer from brain fog and dementia

The good, high-fat foods that prevent brain atrophy

Listen for the list!

Miss Gloria’s story

Grumpy and agoraphobic, Gloria rarely left her bed
After testing positive for celiac disease, she eventually agreed to try a gluten-free diet
Gloria’s health improved to a point where she was able to leave the house regularly and finally move to Savannah, where she spent her last years with her son

How identifying celiac disease and gluten intolerance in the elderly can prevent suffering and early death

Resources Mentioned:

Gluten Free RN on iTunes

Gluten Free RN on Stitcher

Connect with Nadine:

Dough Nation: A Nurse’s Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

Books by Nadine:

Signs and Symptoms of Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance in Children EP006

January 13, 2017

by Nadine Grzeskowiak, RN with No Comment Podcast

In this episode of ‘Gluten Free RN,’ Nadine discusses common signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance in children as well as the importance of identifying celiac disease early to allow for the growth and development of body and brain.

Nadine employs anecdotes about her own clients at the Gluten Free RN office to illustrate the myriad of ways that gluten can affect the health and development of undiagnosed kids.

This episode explains the GI problems, developmental delays, autoimmune disorders and neurological issues that children with gluten intolerance face as long as they remain undiagnosed. Click and listen to recognize the warning signs!

What’s Discussed:

The common dismissal of celiac symptoms in children

The profound impact of gluten intolerance on fetal development and maternal health

It typically takes 9-15 years for a person to be diagnosed correctly

Signs and symptoms of celiac disease and gluten intolerance in children

Failure to thrive
Low birthweight
Short stature, stunted growth and delayed development
Lactose intolerance
Abdominal pain and vomiting
Focus and retention issues (ADD, ADHD, ODD)
Autism
Psychiatric issues
Delayed puberty
Listen for the full list

Katie’s story

After suffering from chronic constipation, her colon was removed – but her health did not improve until she learned about celiac disease and changed her diet
Because her growth was stunted as a result of malnourishment, Katie only grew to 5’3” despite having a size 10 foot

Why vitamins, minerals and supplements don’t help children with celiac disease or gluten intolerance

Why undiagnosed celiac disease patients suffer from focus issues and psychiatric disorders

Inflammation of the brain causes hypoxia
Low oxygen flow results in ‘brain fog’

Sam’s story

At 17, she was overweight and suffering from abdominal pain
She was still wetting the bed and had yet to get her period
After receiving a celiac diagnosis and adopting a gluten-free diet, Sam lost 100 pounds and has gone on to have two healthy children

The importance of testing the entire family for celiac disease once one member has received a diagnosis

The high percentage of celiac patients who are asymptomatic

Roughly 50% of people diagnosed with celiac disease would say they have no symptoms

The increased chances of developing autoimmune disorders when children with celiac disease go undiagnosed

The enormous genetic overlap between celiac disease and Type 1 diabetes

Why parents should be tested for celiac disease prior to a pregnancy

Undiagnosed expectant mothers are at an increased risk of miscarriage, complications and delivering babies with low birthweight and neural defects

How to navigate birthday parties, camps, school events, etc.

Proper planning and communication make it easy

Resources Mentioned:

How Doctors Think by Jerone Groopman

University of Chicago Medicine Celiac Disease Center Website

EnteroLab Celiac Testing Resources

Connect with Nadine:

Dough Nation: A Nurse’s Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

Books by Nadine:

Symptoms of Undiagnosed Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance EP005

January 6, 2017

by Nadine Grzeskowiak, RN with 2 Comments Podcast

This time on ‘Gluten Free RN,’ Nadine continues to cover the basics of celiac disease and gluten intolerance, reviewing the consequences of intestinal damage and gluten in the bloodstream and discussing what you can and cannot eat as part of a gluten-free diet.

A registered nurse certified in emergency care and a celiac patient herself, Nadine is well-versed in the health complications and symptoms you might experience with undiagnosed celiac disease or gluten intolerance, including neurological disorders, dermatologic difficulties and even mental health issues.

Join the Gluten Free RN on this podcast to learn the signs of undiagnosed celiac disease and gluten intolerance so that we can all be healthy and vital for years to come!

What’s Discussed:

The definition of celiac disease and its chronic nature

Diagnosis requires HLA-DQ2 and/or DQ8 genes and documented villous atrophy

The importance of healthy intestinal tissue

70-90% of the immune system is in your intestines

Grains to avoid that contain gluten

Wheat
Barley
Rye
Oats (due to cross-contamination)

Places where gluten may be hiding

Gluten-free, nutrient dense foods

Complications caused by gluten in patients with celiac disease or gluten intolerance

Chronic inflammation (suffering from an -itus of any kind)
Autoimmune disorders
Damaged immune system
Malnutrition/deficiencies

The increased risk of cancer in patients with undiagnosed celiac disease

Symptoms doctors look for before testing for celiac disease

Chronic diarrhea
Malabsorption
Extreme weight loss or malnutrition

Components of the test for celiac disease

Blood test (celiac panel)
Biopsy of the small intestines

The amount of time it takes to regenerate damaged villi in the absence of gluten

Nadine recommends you continue the clinical trial of a gluten-free diet for at least six to 12 months

Additional signs of a possible gluten intolerance or celiac disease

Additional symptoms Nadine has encountered in undiagnosed patients

Indicators of gluten intolerance in children and elders

Resources Mentioned:

Montana Gluten Free Website

Kite Hill Non-Dairy Foods

Gluten: Zero Global by Rodney Ford

Connect with Nadine:

Dough Nation: A Nurse’s Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

Books by Nadine:

Intro to Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance EP004

December 30, 2016

by Nadine Grzeskowiak, RN with No Comment Podcast

This episode of ‘Gluten Free RN’ covers the basics of celiac disease and gluten intolerance – what those terms mean and what they might mean for you. Nadine explains which genes suggest a predisposition to gluten intolerance and what circumstances lead to a diagnosis of celiac disease proper.

Nadine talks you through what happens in your digestive tract that leads to gluten proteins attacking your organs and preventing your body from absorbing the nutrients it needs. She also outlines the foods and products you need to avoid to achieve ‘gluten-zero,’ as well as the foods you can enjoy as part of a gluten-free diet.

Listen in and learn where gluten is hiding and how to modify your diet to reverse the adverse effects of gluten!

What’s Discussed:

The definition of celiac disease and its chronic nature
- 30-50% of the population carries the genes
How a trigger event (i.e.: a cold, pregnancy, stress, an injury) initiates the autoimmune disorder
Options for getting tested for the genetic predisposition
The closed system of the digestive tractand how food is processed
- While some food is used for energy, much just passes through
Villous atrophy and the four stages of tissue damage
- Marsh 1: microvilli destroyed; body cannot break down sugar and milk
- Marsh 2/3: villi themselves fold over or atrophy; tight junctures between villi (that keep things your body can’t utilize in the GI tract and out of your bloodstream) open up
- Marsh 4: villi gone and only red, inflamed tissue remains; ‘leaky gut’
The effects of increased permeability of the intestinal wall
- Damaged immune system
- Rather than passing through the GI tract, gluten proteins get into bloodstream and wreak havoc on organs
- Body can’t absorb nutrients out of food
The importance of healthy intestinal tissue
- 70-90% of the immune system is in your intestines
The soldier analogy
- Healthy villi are like rested soldiers with loaded weapons on a clear day who can easily take out antigens that don’t belong
- Damaged villi are like soldiers on a bender with inadequate weaponry, operating in smoke and fire – they either don’t work at all or fire randomly at antigens
The long road to recovering from villous atrophy
- It takes 6 months to a year to reverse the damage
Grains to avoid that contain gluten
- Wheat
- Barley
- Rye
- Oats (due to cross-contamination)
Places where gluten may be hiding
Gluten-free foods
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Plain meats and fish (not breaded or beer battered)
- Beans/legumes
- Tree nuts
- Rice, corn and potatoes
- Quinoa and teff
- Dairy
What a gluten-free rating means
- The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) certifies products that contain less than ten parts per million

Resources Mentioned:

Gluten: Zero Global by Rodney Ford

Enterolab Website

Glutenpro Celiac Test

Country Life Vitamins

Kite Hill Foods

Connect with Nadine:

Dough Nation: A Nurse’s Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

Books by Nadine:

Gluten and Your Urinary Health – EP003

December 19, 2016

by Nadine Grzeskowiak, RN with 6 Comments Podcast

In this episode of ‘Gluten Free RN,’ Nadine discusses the urinary system and urinary issues associated with the ingestion of gluten, gluten intolerance and/or celiac disease. If you are experiencing health problems related to the urinary system, it is possible that eliminating gluten and dairy will eliminate the problem.

Nadine utilizes anecdotes from her own experience and those of her friend and colleague Wendy Cohan, author of The Better Bladder Book, to illustrate the connection between diet and urinary health.

This episode explains how your urinary system works and outlines the difficulties you may be experiencing. Click and listen to learn how changing your diet could alleviate your pain!

What’s Discussed:

The symptoms of interstitial cystitis (IC)
The connection between gluten and IC
After adopting a gluten-free diet, colleague Wendy Cohan no longer has IC
Other urinary issues that may be caused by the ingestion of gluten
Kidney and brain stones
Repeat urinary tract infections
Bed wetting
The health problems specific to men that are caused by inflammation in the urinary system
Chronic prostatitis (CP)
Prostate cancer
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
When it is appropriate to treat urinary infection with antibiotics
Antibiotic stewardship means we use them judiciously
Why implementing a gluten-free diet may be better than taking medication for urinary issues
95% of female IC patients and 77% of male CP patients reported food sensitivities
The ways in which other body systems are affected by urinary issues
It is rare for these difficulties to occur in isolation
Large numbers of IC and CP patients report having additional symptoms, i.e.: irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia
The importance of addressing the underlying cause of your urinary issues
The components of the urinary system
What healthy urine looks like
The need for additional research to confirm the effects of gluten on urinary health

Resources Mentioned:

The Better Bladder Book: A Holistic Approach to Healing Interstitial Cystitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain by Wendy L. Cohan

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