Got questions about the gluten-free diet? Text them to “646464” (OHOHOH).
Many of us deal with abdominal pain, bloating or gas after eating a heavy meal, especially a meal loaded with bread and figure that it just comes with the territory.
Some folks, though, have gluten intolerance, a condition in which people have a reaction to gluten proteins contained in certain foods. The term first gained currency when some researchers suggested that making changes in the diet, especially eliminating gluten, might help children with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Now sensitivity to gluten has been linked to other problems, including joint pain, indigestion and the aggravation of diabestes, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, weight gain, skin rashes, acne, eczema, chronic yeast infections, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, early aging, autism and dementia.
About 18 million Americans are affected by gluten sensitivity and another 3 million have celiac disease, a chronic digestive disorder. Symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and severe weight loss. A blood test, followed by a biopsy of the lining of the small intestines, can confirm a diagnosis of celiac disease.
Doctors Keevin and Denise Davis, co-hosts of the national award winning television program, “Doctors in the Kitchen,” focus on healthy home cooking. They educate, encourage, and empower people to obtain the best health possible by increasing their knowledge of proper food selection, preparation, and consumption in conjunction with environmentally friendly and sustainable lifestyle choices.