What is Gluten?

I remember 20+ yrs ago asking, “What in the world is gluten?”

Although many people know about it now, I’m always surprised how many people still do not understand how detrimental gluten is for their health.

You might be asking — how in the world can bread, the staple of our meals, be so bad for us?

Well, there are lots of theories, studies, and opinions.

Some think it's the hybridization of the wheat itself. Wheat is NOT genetically modified (GMO), but has been hybridized to increase the gluten (protein). It's believed, because of this, that the gluten is too much for our digestive tract. But, the bakers love it!

Others believe it’s because many of the grain farmers spray their fields with glyphosate to speed the drying process.

Whatever the reason, it is affecting many of us — although I will say it affects ALL of us.

What is gluten? Gluten is the protein in wheat (all varieties of wheat), rye and barley. It makes our breads light and fluffy. It makes our pizza dough stretchy, which allows the pizza guys to toss it up in the air without it falling apart. Trust me, you don't want to throw a gluten-free pizza crust up in the air!

As much as I used to love to bake, it does create some havoc in the baking process when you use gluten-free flour. It's almost like a chemistry experiment!

How does it affect people? Some have Celiac disease — what my middle son has. It destroys the villi in the lower intestinal tract, which stops the absorption of nutrients into the body.

Some have an allergy. Some have a gluten sensitivity. Some are only mildly affected, while others can't even breathe the air that is contaminated with gluten flour, or have their food touch a gluten product.

It can be found in all kinds of foods (some you wouldn't even think about) — even in medications.

Trust me, we learned everything the hard way with my whole family.

We even connected it to my daughter's urinary infections.

My oldest son went back to eating it on and off for 10 years, until he ended up almost living in the bathroom before he finally gave it up.  At that point, he needed to add some supplements to help his body heal.

Some people are fine eliminating gluten, but many need extra help repairing the damage done to their bodies.

Your best bet, if you think you are affected, read all labels! It can be hidden under all kinds of names.

Is gluten addictive? You bet it is! It is VERY addicting to the brain.
First, because ALL grains turn into sugar in the body — and sugar is addicting.
Second, gluten causes lesions on the brain.
Third, ALL grains are high in oxalates — and oxalates are a neurotoxin.

Food companies very much know this. It’s one of the reasons wheat protein is added to so many products, like rice mixes and soups. Why in the world would you add wheat protein in a rice mix or soup?

Adding to the gluten problem, it can be very hard to diagnose, because it affects people in SO many ways. Although, there is much better testing now.

It has been connected to at least 300 autoimmune diseases, yet some people have no symptoms at all — until later in life.

Here are a few of the health issues caused by gluten:

Weight Gain and Weight Loss

Short Stature or Failure to Thrive

Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue

ADD / ADHD

Arthritis

Cancer

Heart Disease

Infertility

Thyroid Disease

Hormone Imbalances such as PMS, PCOS

Mood Issues such as depression, anxiety, mood swings

Neurological conditions such as dizziness, feeling off balance

Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea

IBS, Crohn's Disease, and Leaky Gut

Skin conditions like eczema, acne, rashes

Migraine Headaches or Seizures

Dental Enamel Defects

Now you know why it has been such a hot topic for years!

If you have any of these health issues, maybe it's time to look at the possibility of eliminating gluten.

If nothing else, just remove gluten from the diet for 30 days — see how you feel. See if any of your ailments either disappear, or at least somewhat subside.

Be careful with gluten-free options. They aren't any healthier, other than being void of gluten. They are simply a way to break the “gluten addiction." We did this in our family. Then we weaned ourselves off of ALL grains.

Do I bake for the holidays, special occasions and birthdays? I did when the children were home — found recipes that contained no grains.

Now, eating a Carnivore diet, there are ALL kinds of recipes to make “mock” breads, and just about every kind of dessert you can imagine.

With so many Carnivore recipes, there is no need to feel guilty.

Below are some great videos to help you decide if eliminating gluten, or all grains, will take your health to another level.

Dr. Tom O'Bryan hosted The Gluten Summit in November of 2013. He has been researching gluten sensitivities for over 30 years.

What is Gluten (5min) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tmWlzgCmEY

How Some Immune Systems React to Gluten (10min) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z937yRGPf5M&spfreload=5

Top 5 Things You Didn't Know About Gluten (11min) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xloudUAXwRE

This Is Your Brain On Gluten (7min) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy7114T0oMQ

The Gluten-Thyroid Connection (39min) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbfYcYMIDdQ

What You Need to Know About Gluten and Infertility (58min, podcast) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdEzks8U4Z0