In 11 years as the Gluten Free RN, Nadine has done an incredible amount of research on celiac disease and delivered more than 2,000 lectures. No question she is frustrated to see misinformation continue to make its way onto celiac support sites and Facebook groups. How does the average person sift through all the material that’s out there—material that may be influenced by corporations and pharmaceutical companies with a vested interest in the way celiac disease is perceived—to get to the most accurate information?
Just in time for the holidays, the Gluten Free RN is sharing her wish list around the direction of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity in the next ten years. She discusses the need for a global mass screening, explaining how celiac disease meets the World Health Organization’s criteria. She covers the reasons why pharmaceutical companies have no place in celiac research as well as the bad publicity the gluten-free community receives in the media.
Nadine speaks to the grievous lack of education about celiac disease among healthcare providers and shares her hope for a cultural shift to support people on a gluten-free diet, explaining the role nurses can play in ending the needless suffering. She talks about why a gluten-free diet is NOT dangerous and how to make the best food choices based on your lifestyle and current situation. Listen in and get empowered to accept responsibility for your health!
What’s Discussed:
The need for a global mass screening
- Celiac disease meets WHO criteria
- 30-50% of population carries gene
Why pharmaceutical companies should not be involved in celiac research
- Diet change resolves symptoms
- Pharmaceutical involvement gives false hope for cure
The misinformation about celiac disease in the media
- Misrepresentation in recent episode of Freakonomics Radio
The need to educate healthcare providers around celiac disease
- Recommended in 2004 NIH Consensus Statement
- Never happened in standardized form
Nadine’s call for support of people on a gluten-free diet
- Don’t assume intentionally being difficult
The unique position of nurses to use their influence
- Prevent needless suffering with understanding of celiac disease
Why you must accept responsibility for your own health
- Take advantage of available resources
- Find practitioners open to other modalities
How to avoid processed foods
- Focus on raw, whole foods
- Choose fresh fruits, vegetables
- Don’t fall victim to convenience marketing
- Use community, intuition to make decisions
Why a gluten-free diet is NOT dangerous
- Nadine restored her health by eliminating grains
- Unethical to suggest that celiac patient go off gluten-free diet
Resources:
Freakonomics Radio: The Demonization of Gluten
2004 NIH Consensus Statement on Celiac Disease
Connect with Nadine:
‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube
Books by Nadine:
Dough Nation: A Nurse’s Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism
