nutrition – Gluten Free RN

Never assume. It makes an ass of u and me!

Not only do assumptions make you feel foolish, they can be dangerous. If you suffer from celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, assuming that a product is safe and gluten-free can be hazardous to your health! Gluten is hiding is some surprising places, from cashews to PlayDoh, and it is in your best interest to remember that anything processed in the same facility with wheat is at risk for contamination.

Today the Gluten Free RN shares the many places she has discovered gluten ‘hiding in plain sight,’ including personal care products, olive oil and communion wafers. She offers advice around supporting companies that are 100% gluten-free, alternatives to gluten-containing products, and choosing nutrient-dense foods that will help you heal.

Nadine also covers labels, discussing why you can’t necessarily trust the information you find there, the many different names for wheat to look out for, and why you should take a look even when the product should be naturally gluten-free. She reveals some of her favorite gluten-free products as well as several companies that are committed to maintaining gluten-zero production facilities. Listen in and learn how to make good choices—without giving up the activities you love. Eating gluten-free doesn’t have to be a punishment, and the Gluten Free RN can’t wait to share!

What’s Discussed:

Why Nadine sticks with clearly marked gluten-free products

Some of the surprising places gluten hides

Olive oil, kombucha, hard ciders, smoothies and other drinks
Alcohol and malted beverages
Lipsticks, lip balms and gloss
Communion wafers
Supplements and medications
Play-Doh

Why you can never assume a product is naturally gluten-free

Anything processed in same facility with wheat is at-risk for contamination

Why Nadine encourages the support of companies striving to be 100% gluten-free

Don’t have to worry about safety
Sends message to companies with unclear labels

The many different names for wheat to watch out for on labels

Alternatives to gluten-containing products like bread, crackers and chocolate

Why you can’t trust labels

Companies have six months to change a label after ingredients, info has changed
Must read label every time buy product, refill prescription medication

The cumulative effect of consuming products that contain just under 20 ppm of gluten

Why Nadine urges you to be picky

Don’t settle for cheap filler foods
Only nutrient-dense foods will help you heal

The average human takes between 14 and 20 breaths per minute. But if you are conscious of those breaths, that’s a problem. Perhaps you’re experiencing chest tightness, clogged sinuses or a nagging cough that make you very aware of every breath you take. If so, the ingestion of gluten may be a contributing factor to these respiratory issues.

Today Nadine explores the relationship between the lungs and celiac disease, offering anecdotal evidence as well as explaining the way that inflammation can lead to a number of respiratory problems. Because 70-90% of your immune system is housed in your intestines, it is no surprise that a leaky gut could make you more vulnerable to respiratory tract infections.

Despite the fact that current literature considers respiratory challenges to be an atypical presentation of celiac disease, the Gluten Free RN argues that there is enough anecdotal evidence to merit further study. Listen in to understand the vitamin deficiencies that likely contribute to respiratory issues, how those health concerns might be corrected by going gluten-free, and why your body heals more quickly on a high fat, whole food diet. It’s time to go gluten-free and breathe easy again!

What’s Discussed:

How gluten ingestion likely affects the respiratory system

Body keeps fluids separate unless tissues leaky
Gluten alters epithelial tissue, including that of lungs

Nadine’s anecdotal evidence of a connection between gluten and respiratory issues

Fellow nurse had lung removed as child
Always needed inhalers
Went gluten-free with Nadine
Inflammation in lungs cleared, asthma gone
No longer needed inhalers

Respiratory issues that may be corrected on a gluten-free diet

Anemia (lack of red blood cells to carry oxygen causes shortness of breath with minimal exertion)
Recurrent respiratory infections
Cystic fibrosis
COPD
IPH (bleeding lung)
Pulmonary edema