Looking at whole-wheat with a different set of eyes is so important if you have any mental or physical concerns! Perhaps you are one of the many people who cannot tolerate wheat and other gluten-containing grains. Wheat, rye, barley, spelt and kamut all contain gluten. Oats is often contaminated with gluten during processing and transportation. It really is best that you eat home-made, real, whole foods as gluten is so often “hidden” in many processed foods. Processed foods often contain ingredients like hydrolyzed protein, textured vegetable protein and derivatives of wheat, oats, rye and barley (including barley malt, modified starch, soy sauce and natural flavoring).
There are many studies supporting the gluten-mood connection – anxiety, social phobia, depression and schizophrenia. A study titled” Psychiatric symptoms and celiac disease” states that celiac disease “should be taken into consideration in patients with psychiatric disorders particularly if you are not responsive to psychopharmacological therapy, because withdrawal of gluten from the diet usually results in disappearance of symptoms”. Gluten can also cause fatigue, aches and pains, poor focus and of course digestive problems like constipation.
I assess all my clients for gluten intolerance and the majority have seen dramatic improvements on a gluten-free diet – improved mood, no more anxiety, more energy, better sleep and improved digestion. One of my clients saw an almost complete resolution of the eczema that had been plaguing her for over 10 years, was able to get off her antidepressants and lost over 10 pounds. Another client has her Hashimotos thyroiditis (an autoimmune disease) under control as a result of removing gluten from her diet. I’ve seen a number of people who have seen improvements in their rheumatoid arthritis (also an autoimmune disease) when they quit gluten.
You’ve probably seen it as a common theme in many of my presentations and many of my blog posts, such as Good Day Sacramento, Exercise and Food for Mood and Detox, Get Healthy and Lose Weight
I cover this subject extensively in my forthcoming book The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods you eat can calm your anxious mind, improve mood and end cravings. Find out more at www.antianxietyfoodsolution.com
This is part 1 of the gluten-mood connection – part 2 is all about doing a 2-week gluten elimination trial so you can determine is gluten is possibly a problem food for you!
Great information as always Trudy – your sensible approach to eating whilesome, healthy foods and nutrients will help so many people overcome their anxiety and issues. Love the sound of the new book!
Heidi Alexandra
Thanks Heidi Alexandra!
I’m reading more and more about gluten. The idea of eating so restrictively kind of horrifies me. But I have bought a couple of books and plan to start down the gluten-free path.
Good for you Sue – would love to hear how you feel off gluten. And try to think of it more as a culinary adventure rather than a restriction!
Trudy
WOW! I had no idea gluten was in so many things…eeeks!
Oh yes!
Trudy,
I always learn so much from you. I had not idea all of these intolerances existed or what could be causing various health issues. Kinda makes you afraid to eat. 😉
Write on!~
Lisa
Lisa
So pleased to be able to share this important info – and the objective is not to create fear around eating but to make sure you are informed. Part 2 shares how to figure out if it’s a problem for you
Trudy
I stopped eating bread and gluten a number of years ago and noticed a dramatic difference in my mood and overall happiness.
Pretty powerful isn’t it!? (PS love your new gravatar Laura!)
Thanks for sharing such concise, helpful — and UNDERSTANDABLE information about how food impacts our health and our lives. You ROCK!! ♥ ♥ Katherine.
Wow, Trudy! I know a lot of people have gone gluten free, now I see why. Thanks for sharing such helpful information. Your book sounds wonderful!
Trudy,
Great information on what we fuel ourselves with and the impact it has on us.
Thank you,
Mitch
Trudy,
This is such good information. I know that when I focus on eating only food that I can recognize, and nothing from a box, I just feel better!
Terry
Yes that is the key Terry – “food that I can recognize, and nothing from a box” – good for you!
Great article, Trudy! I’ve often wondered if gluten is a source of my joint aches…but am a little worried to find out for sure!
Giving up pasta and bread seems overwhelming!
Patricia – part 2 of this article will give you an easy way to figure out if gluten may be the culprit. I encourage you to try it. If it’s is an issue and your joint pain is resolved, it’ll be worth it.
And yes it’s change and a journey but having optimal health is worth it!
Trudy