Gluten is the Devil

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Replies

  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    Did you miss this part: "Maybe you felt better because it was in your head that you were doing a good thing"?

    Most doctors don't have a clue about nutrition and disease prevention; that's not what they learn. I guess I should have just waited until I had full-blown diabetes and an official "diagnosis" before taking any kind of action. Because doctors always know best and all of my health improvements are a figment of my imagination.

    No I didn't miss it, she was referencing Gorilla's case, not yours. Frankly, it's a valid question to ask when you make ANY lifestyle change. Did what I do work? Now if she had said 'no you didn't you're just imagining things' THAT would be discrediting. I actually thought it was a very polite response. I'd also like to comment that your point about doctors is just as discrediting. It seems to me that you had some bad experiences in that regard, which sucks a lot.
  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    If you are gluten intolerant or have Celiac's, going gluten free will improve your quality of life. Just like I am a seasonal allergy sufferer, and eliminating pollen from my life would seriously make me feel a whole lot better. I am glad there is so much gluten awareness these days, as so many people suffered for long periods of their lives before discovering gluten was the culprit.

    However, those of us who have no issue with gluten, eliminating it 100% is about as helpful as eliminating turnips from the diet. Basically, it doesn't matter one way or the other.
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    Food is bad for you. You shouldn't eat food.
  • Danielle_2013
    Danielle_2013 Posts: 806 Member
    Good post. Amusing. I particularly enjoyed the part where you referenced yourself and "wrong" in the same sentence.

    I have had a similar experience. I thought having indigestion, bloating, headaches, joint pain and feeling tired was just due to being overweight and/or getting older. Not true. I cut out wheat and then all gluten and the results were frankly shocking..and quick.

    All of the symptoms disappeared and my energy and skin improved dramatically. No other changes were made at this time..since I wanted to control for that. Have relaxed again somewhat..but when I do I end up regretting it.
  • waldo56
    waldo56 Posts: 1,861 Member
    Food is bad for you. You shouldn't eat food.

    Farmers use food to fatten up livestock.
  • GorillaEsq
    GorillaEsq Posts: 2,198 Member
    Food is bad for you. You shouldn't eat food.

    Farmers use food to fatten up livestock.
    All lies. Next you'll be saying they give them water and air.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Most doctors don't have a clue about nutrition and disease prevention; that's not what they learn.

    I see this nonsense on MFP all the time. And while I won't dispute that there are lazy doctors out there that don't keep up wth current research, or that many GP or non-nutrition related specialists are not nutrition experts. I question that "most" doctors don't have a clue about nutrition. I'd like to see statistics on this if anyone has them, but I think it's more often a comment based on a bad experience with a one doctor.

    If nutrition advice is needed most GP will refer to or consult with a dietician.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    The Wheat Belly book: Worst pseudo-science EVER

    comicbookguy.gif

    Perhaps, but Gary Taubes (Why We Get Fat) must be running a very close second...... :laugh: :laugh:
  • spud_chick
    spud_chick Posts: 2,640 Member
    I watched that documentary Fathead the other day (I know came out in 2009, not sure where I've been) but the point of this is they talked about how grain is pushed on us to lose weight when it's what farmers/ranchers use to fatten up their livestock.

    Well, that's at least partly because cattle evolved to eat grass, with grain feeding coming along relatively recently in the evolutionary time scale. Some may be adapting but a grain diet is not fuel they are can use efficiently--meat and milk from grain fed cattle is deficient in CLA, for example, which it used to be an excellent source of. Thus the current preference for grass-fed beef by some (although some prefer it simply because it's a more humane way to raise the cattle).

    For people I think it varies from person to person, and we have to test individually. But if it's not a protein form we can assimilate well it will cause inflammation and probably result in weight gain.

    I eat a lot of it because I used to be vegetarian and only eat scale fish and turkey now, so I still eat a lot of veggie "meats" (snausages, facon) which are super-gluten. I did try going gluten-free a long time ago but that was when I was also trying to start eating red meat to see if it would make me feel better and I got worse. I may try going gluten-free again now that I'm in better condition and see if it helps my joints.

    OP, thanks for an inspiring post :)
  • Gluten is just one of my little demons. If anyone has pain, they might try cutting out nightshade vegetables for a bit and see how much that can help (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers). It's shocking how much trouble food can cause people, and we don't realize it.
  • Cryssy27
    Cryssy27 Posts: 42 Member
    OP I am very happy you feel better! To me gluten is the devil because I have full blow Celicas Disease. It took me only 48 hours to feel 50% better. One week I was a new lady! I am glad your feeling better!
  • MiCool90
    MiCool90 Posts: 460 Member
    Gluten

    high in protein, high in iron, low to no sodium, bit of calcium...

    Moderation and a balanced diet is the key in every aspect


    If you have an allergy to it or don't react well, then that's another story
  • vander7679
    vander7679 Posts: 109 Member
    I've been gluten free for about five months and have totally cut out my migraines (they were debilitating and at least once a week) as well as all fibromyalgia symptoms. I'm off all my meds and have seriously reduced acid reflux symptoms as well. I feel great and feel like crap if I cheat, even just a little. In my research 1 in 10 are gluten sensitive and if you are sensitive then you will feel much better if you cut it out but if you are not sensitive then you won't really notice much of a difference. It's worth at least trying.
  • miriamwithcats
    miriamwithcats Posts: 1,120 Member
    Maybe you felt better because it was in your head that you were doing a good thing? I don't believe gluten is a bad thing and if I don't have a medical reason, I see no reason to cut it from my diet personally. Until I do, if I do, I won't be gutting it out. I don't eat much pasta or breads anymore because of it being high in carbs and all, I wish I felt better from doing so, but I don't. To each his own.

    Yup, it's all in our heads, diet can't possibly affect health. This is the kind of comment that irks me so badly.

    My diet resolved: severe depression, anxiety, anti-social behaviour, indigestion, gas, bloating, acid reflux, ulcers, chronic pain (this was bad enough that I was considering suicide), sleep apnea, insomnia, joint pain, muscle cramps, pre diabetes, headaches, chronic infections/colds/flus/bronchitis, and more.

    Many of the health problems are common ailments that people suffer with that don't even know they are sick. For instance, depression, gas, bloating, etc. No, lots of gas is not normal and feeling "down" is not normal.

    You don't have to change your diet, but stop discrediting the experience of other people. Thanks.

    She wasn't discrediting your experience, just stating her opinion. She clarified that medical reasons could warrant it, but that for her such exclusion wasn't necessary.

    Yes she was discrediting the experience by saying "all in your head". That is totally discrediting and also considered verbal abuse.
  • Brunner26_2
    Brunner26_2 Posts: 1,152
    Interesting. It sounds, in my non-expert opinion that you have a mild gluten allergy/intolerance. That's awesome that you found that out. Enjoy your testicles.
  • DesireeLovesOrganic
    DesireeLovesOrganic Posts: 456 Member
    Glad you feel better! I have gone gluten free before too but I didn't see any difference because I didn't have any "symptoms." I should make my husband try it, he is constantly whining about joint pain, especially his elbow. If I tell him he will ***** about it so I think I won't tell him (I cook and pack his lunch for work so he doesn't have to know. Haha)
  • GorillaEsq
    GorillaEsq Posts: 2,198 Member
    Interesting. It sounds, in my non-expert opinion that you have a mild gluten allergy/intolerance. That's awesome that you found that out. Enjoy your testicles.
    I do. I do.
  • MrDelts
    MrDelts Posts: 209 Member
    Great story.. Gluten f*ckin sucks. I recently had the worst 9 months of my life.. Symptoms started in October of 2011 and ended around July 20th 2012 (I cut gluten out on July 17th).

    Long story short version. Started with terrible intestinal and abdominal pain, followed by blood pressure of 190/90 (pretty much ready to have a stroke or heart attack), brain fog to the point where I couldn't read, write or focus on anything.. I would even have a hard time walking, vision changes (woke up one day and everything was no longer 3 dimensional), massive panic attacks that sent me to the ER a few times, fatigue that prevented me from getting out of bed some days..I couldn't even look at the gym for 8 months (I'm a fitness manager and personal trainer), weight gain, skin turned a greyish color and I was very close to losing my job. I was literally dying on every level.

    Doctor's never figured this out by the way.. I was put on ani-depressants, anti-anxiety meds, thyroid hormone and blood pressure meds.

    27 years old.. Fit my whole life.. And this is what I had become.. At one point I reached the edge.. Wasn't sure how much longer I could live like that.

    I made one last attempt.. Cut out gluten.. All symptoms gone.. Most Doctor's suck (although there are some good ones), Gluten f*cking sucks.. The end..
  • changling82
    changling82 Posts: 137 Member
    Love the post
    Love the sarcasm

    My boyfriend and I both went Gluten free last Jan. We've both experienced the same as you. My "bad knee" hasn't hurt or been swollen since then....except for the days after "Gluten palooza's"!

    oh crap, the boss is coming.
  • tumblyweed
    tumblyweed Posts: 416 Member
    Gluten-free because of celiac's. I had a freakishly low white blood cell count, constant unexplained bruising, vitamin-d deficiency, etc., but all of my blood tests for everything under the sun came back normal.

    I cut out gluten entirely and within two weeks lost 2 inches from my tummy. I also used to get frequent migraines...not so much now. I do believe a lot of people are sensitive to gluten to different degrees.
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    Gluten isn't everyone's devil though

    I think that's pretty much right but I think gluten intolerance is far more prevalent than first thought. The Government here in the UK instead of waging a ridiculous war against cholesterol could do something far more useful and invest that money into gluten screening programmes. Oh look, there's a flying pig...

    I have recently followed a similar experiment to Mr Gorilla Esq and have found similar results. I'm trying to pin down if it is actually wheat or yeast that I react badly too (I suspect it is yeast) but I feel much better for it.
  • KellyJoMorris
    KellyJoMorris Posts: 35 Member
    Thank you for a very interesting and well written piece. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. xx
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Maybe you felt better because it was in your head that you were doing a good thing? I don't believe gluten is a bad thing and if I don't have a medical reason, I see no reason to cut it from my diet personally. Until I do, if I do, I won't be gutting it out. I don't eat much pasta or breads anymore because of it being high in carbs and all, I wish I felt better from doing so, but I don't. To each his own.

    Yup, it's all in our heads, diet can't possibly affect health. This is the kind of comment that irks me so badly.

    My diet resolved: severe depression, anxiety, anti-social behaviour, indigestion, gas, bloating, acid reflux, ulcers, chronic pain (this was bad enough that I was considering suicide), sleep apnea, insomnia, joint pain, muscle cramps, pre diabetes, headaches, chronic infections/colds/flus/bronchitis, and more.

    Many of the health problems are common ailments that people suffer with that don't even know they are sick. For instance, depression, gas, bloating, etc. No, lots of gas is not normal and feeling "down" is not normal.

    You don't have to change your diet, but stop discrediting the experience of other people. Thanks.

    She wasn't discrediting your experience, just stating her opinion. She clarified that medical reasons could warrant it, but that for her such exclusion wasn't necessary.

    Yes she was discrediting the experience by saying "all in your head". That is totally discrediting and also considered verbal abuse.

    That post was far from abusive. While I do think it could have been worded better, we all know that it is possible to alleviate symptoms psychologically. It happens all the time in clinical trials with placebos. Perhaps this is what was being alluded to. And the post did say "Maybe".
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,148 Member
    I don't have any health problems. I'll keep my gluten, and other people's, thanks.
  • bugaha1
    bugaha1 Posts: 602 Member
    There is nothing about gluten that would harm anyone unless you’re allergic to it.
  • pen2u
    pen2u Posts: 224 Member
    I don't care what anyone says. I cut gluten out of my life at the suggestion of a nutritionist and feel so much better I've not gone back. I won't even eat the fabulous brioche bun at Umami Burger (!) (Yes, you can ask for the burgers "protein style.") If it's all in my head, so be it...but my phys med doc is impressed by my joint health & active lifestyle at the age of 60 when a few years ago it was quite likely I'd be hobbling around by now.

    When I cut out the foods that are inflammatory in my system (in addition to gluten I avoid potatoes, white sugar, etc.) I feel good. When I eat them I feel bad. Sometimes I test it out and am always sorry - joints flare, digestion gets hinky, headache, fatigue, etc.

    Do what works for you! We're lucky now that there are really delicious substitutions when you absolutely have to have bread products. Udi's is the bomb for bread, buns & the like, & Tinkyada pasta is wonderful.
  • MrDelts
    MrDelts Posts: 209 Member
    Maybe you felt better because it was in your head that you were doing a good thing? I don't believe gluten is a bad thing and if I don't have a medical reason, I see no reason to cut it from my diet personally. Until I do, if I do, I won't be gutting it out. I don't eat much pasta or breads anymore because of it being high in carbs and all, I wish I felt better from doing so, but I don't. To each his own.

    Yup, it's all in our heads, diet can't possibly affect health. This is the kind of comment that irks me so badly.

    My diet resolved: severe depression, anxiety, anti-social behaviour, indigestion, gas, bloating, acid reflux, ulcers, chronic pain (this was bad enough that I was considering suicide), sleep apnea, insomnia, joint pain, muscle cramps, pre diabetes, headaches, chronic infections/colds/flus/bronchitis, and more.

    Many of the health problems are common ailments that people suffer with that don't even know they are sick. For instance, depression, gas, bloating, etc. No, lots of gas is not normal and feeling "down" is not normal.

    You don't have to change your diet, but stop discrediting the experience of other people. Thanks.

    She wasn't discrediting your experience, just stating her opinion. She clarified that medical reasons could warrant it, but that for her such exclusion wasn't necessary.

    Yes she was discrediting the experience by saying "all in your head". That is totally discrediting and also considered verbal abuse.

    That post was far from abusive. While I do think it could have been worded better, we all know that it is possible to alleviate symptoms psychologically. It happens all the time in clinical trials with placebos. Perhaps this is what was being alluded to. And the post did say "Maybe".

    The last thing anyone wants to hear after suffering for so long is, "It's all in your head." Regardless if it was meant in an innocent way or not.. When I was going through all my ****, I would want to lose it when someone would say that to me.. Usually the person saying it has no understanding of the situation, and really has no reason to make the "It's all in your head" statement.. They should just keep quiet.
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    My oldest kid had issues that we thought were possibly diet related. We did a few rounds of cutting out and adding back foods that we suspected. None had any impact on her until we got to gluten but when we cut that out it was like a switch was flipped and a different kid appeared. It's just easier if inside our house we all go gluten free so I don't have to worry about cross contamination and the like but in doing so I began to suspect that not only were a couple of my other kids gluten intolerant but that I myself am too. I didn't want to admit this and was in denial for a little while but after a stretch of being exclusively GF I ate some and felt like a bomb dropped on me. Now I too am GF and feeling so much better! Trust me, it's not all "in my head". You can eat just as crappy on a GF diet as you can on one filled with it! I'm a baker and really good at it so trust me on this one. ;)
  • GorillaEsq
    GorillaEsq Posts: 2,198 Member
    There is nothing about gluten that would harm anyone unless you’re allergic to it.
    The same is true for poison, thumbtacks, turtle meat and yak balls. I don't eat any of those either.
  • wrevhn
    wrevhn Posts: 864 Member
    I keep having new food issues. Now my list of bad food reactions/allergies contains:

    gluten/wheat
    coconut
    peanuts
    dairy (lesser extint)

    I'm having issues pop up with chocolate now too. I don't like loosing so many of my fav food options. I'd love to find out its fixable. I read Candida can cause reactions to food. And I tested positive for systemic ones, so I hope if I ever get disciplined enough to do a Candida killing diet, that they will stop.

    until I keep cheating and having increasingly worse allergic reactions. ESP to gluten. Its getting almost unbearable! But so hard to be out of the loop. Just want to be normal.