Gluten at Your Dentist? Many dental products contain that pesky allergen.

You, The Gluten Detective

When you are first diagnosed with a food allergy or with an auto-immune disease that is triggered by food, such as celiac disease, the path to removing an allergen seems fairly obvious, especially when it comes to gluten. You remove bread and pasta. Then you start reading labels. Then you start looking up words. You, or your child/mother/sister/brother/husband... begin to feel better and stop having reactions until one day, another reaction occurs and you have no idea "what you did wrong." After you finish flogging yourself, you become a detective and go through the list:

1. What did I eat?

2. When did I eat it?  Could I have a reaction that wasn't immediate?  Did I make a mistake today or was it several days ago with something new?

3. Could I have developed an allergy or sensitivity to something new (here's a list of the different types of food reactions)?

4. What did I do wrong? Could it be somewhere that isn't obvious (read the list of surprising place for hidden gluten here)?

If you are allergic to gluten, have gluten sensitivity, or have celiac disease, your detective work centers around that pesky composite of gluten proteins (glutenin & gliadin) found in wheat, rye, barley, triticale, spelt, and some other grains. Your beauty cabinet is your next suspect, because you had heard that gluten can get into your eyes, nose, and mouth through cosmetics and personal care products (read more about cosmetics here).  Supplements and medications are next - could they contain gluten?  Yes they can (read more about supplements and medications here).

BUT THE DENTIST?

Common Gluten-Containing Products in Your Dentist Office (& in Your Home)

I began suspecting that gluten was in my toothpaste because I would wake up about an hour after I went to bed with my heart racing, my intestines, spine, and knuckles swelling, and I wondered what on earth I could have eaten. I did my detective work and found that toothpaste commonly cotains gluten, but it is not found in common language on the label. I switched to Desert Essence gluten-free toothpaste and felt relief immediately.

But after a few days, I had the same thing happen. At 10pm I was tired and ready for bed. I was relaxed and felt like I could sleep for a fortnight. I brushed wtih gluten-free toothpaste, then I flossed with minted dental floss. I'd go to bed and wake up an hour later - again with heart racing, intestines and joints swelling. I went through every possible scenario and the ONLY item that went into my mouth or any other mucous membrane that I had NOT thoroughly researched was the dental floss. I stopped using the dental floss and the next night slept like a baby and after two nights woke up swelling-free.I now use unflavored, unwaxed dental floss and that seems to be fine.

This also made me stop to think. What about the dentist? I always feel pretty crappy after a dental cleaning. I've been avoiding the dentist and it could be for a number of reasons, but I've learned to listen to my intuition - something is making me sick at the dentist.

In my next step of detective work, I found that gluten lurks in many common dental products:

1. Toothpaste

2. Flavored polishing paste

3. Topical anesthetic

4. Fluoride commonly used in many dentist offices

5. Dental Gloves: Make sure they are not powdered. They can be powdered wtih starch, usually starch that contains wheat or could be corn starch cross contaminated with wheat.

6. Dental Floss: unwaxed and unflavored flosses are your best bet, but double check that your dentist has gluten-free floss.

7. The Dentist Mask: the mask itself might not contain gluten, but your dentist may not change the mask between patients and after using gloves that contain gluten. Just request that the mask be changed before your dentist and the assistant put on their gloves and treat you.

8. Clean Hands: Most dentists, of course will wash their hands before putting on their gloves and before treating you. Just make sure that your dentist understands that after handling a potentially gluten-containing product, that he/she and the assistant need to wash their hands before handling anything that they use for you.

9. Orthodonic Retainers & Bite Splints:  A new case study found that a girl was having trouble going into remission from celiac disease because of her retainer.  Gluten is a common additive in plastics. Read more about this study, here.

10. Mouthwash: some mouthwashes - at the dentist and at home, contain gluten. Dental products are not regulated by the FDA, like food is (although tye should be they are going in our mouth!!), so gluten may not be disclosed in the ingredients.

The Moral of the Story?

Check with your dentist before your next visit to see if they are "gluten literate." In other words, do they know, without a doubt, what ingredients are in the products that they use? Do they treat patients with celiac disease and gluten allergies? Gluten might not appear in the ingredients, since by law it does not have to for these particular products (yet). If your dentist office isn't able to or won't properly research the ingredients, ask for alternatives, or find a gluten-free dentist.

As I was working on this article, I ran across another today (serendipity) about a dentist in Boulder Colorado who specializes in gluten-free dentistry!  God bless Boulder, they are the good guys on the cusp of many a food fight. Maybe there is a gluten-free dentist in your town. I'm working on my own dentist right now to see if he can accommodate those of us with food allergies and celiac disease. People might laugh at a sign reading, "Gluten-free Dentist" but there are a lot of us who need one!

Companies Who are Claiming Gluten-free Status

(This list was begun on 10/29/2013. Please use this as a guide, but double check everything yourself against your own allergies & needs. Sometimes companies change formulation or policy, and The Tender Foodie may not be aware of this. Thank you!)

• Oral B Dental Floss
• Oral B Stages Toothpaste (does not say anything about other toothpaste lines)
• Desert Essence Toothpaste

 UPDATES

Update 3/4/2014: Here is a post on Triumph Dining indicating that the study findings were not conclusive - that the plastics in the retainer material may not leach out enough over time to cause alarm.Two dieticians, Amy Jones, MS, RD and Tricia Thompson, MS, RD, contacted the lead author of the study and came to this conclusion:

Amy Jones, MS, RD and Tricia Thompson, MS, RD

The original study led the dietitians to contact the lead author. After discussing, both were still not convinced of the retainer’s guilt in the diagnosis. Due to the half life of tTG (which is 6 months) and an outdated report on the contents of methylmethacrylate (from 1971), Amy Jones and Tricia Thompson concluded that “enough gluten would leach from the retainer to cause an increase in tTG levels seems a bit extraordinary.” - See more at: http://www.triumphdining.com/blog/2014/03/04/is-there-a-link-between-orthodontic-retainers-and-gluten-intolerance/?utm_source=Triumph+Dining+List&utm_campaign=c4ab154054-Newsletter+7%2F23%2F13&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c9c15f454b-c4ab154054-122078121#sthash.PFDy2d3Q.dpuf

 The original study led the dietitians to contact the lead author. After discussing, both were still not convinced of the retainer’s guilt in the diagnosis. Due to the half life of tTG (which is 6 months) and an outdated report on the contents of methylmethacrylate (from 1971), Amy Jones and Tricia Thompson concluded that “enough gluten would leach from the retainer to cause an increase in tTG levels seems a bit extraordinary.

This may put some fears to rest, but this will be an interesting study to follow.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease & Some Guides to Help

This is a great infographic of some of the major symptoms of celiac disease. The graphic is put together by The Gluten Dude, who has some interesting stuff on his site. If these symptoms ring true for you, look below the graphic for a few more articles that might help you figure this out with your doctor.

Celiac Disease Symptoms – Courtesy of Gluten Dude

Guides to Why & What to Do - Discuss with You Doctor

Interview with Alessio Fasano Part I: Should Anyone Eat Gluten?

Interview with Alessio Fasano Part II: How to Get Tested for Celiac Disease

Interview with Alessio Fasano Part III: Gluten Sensitivity

What is a Food Allergy, Anyway?

Follow Your Gut (Part 1): What's Eating My Daughter's Stomach?

Follow Your Gut (Part 2): Going Through a Celiac Biopsy

There is also something called "silent celiac" which can happen in some people who are asymptomatic but who have celiac disease. I hope this helps any of you who are trying to get to the bottom of some crazy stuff!

Leaky Gut? Take the GAPS Diet Challenge!

Learn About GAPS

 Many inflammatory conditions, including food sensitivities, and even some food allergies, can be caused or exacerbated by a "leaky gut". The GAPS Diet is a gut-healing protocol that can be very powerful for some people. It isn't easy, however, unless you have the right support. The Tender Palate has compiled a group of experts to help you through the most difficult stages of the diet in a cost effective and informative way.

Learn more about GAPS

Read Holistic Nutritionist Brooke Kaufman's Story

Read Elisabeth's Story

Listen to the first webcast: Is the GAPS DIet for You?

Sign Up for the GAPS Diet Challenge!

The Challenge Program Outline

You can begin anytime between June 14 and June 21 and receive virtual nutritionist support through July 5.

Cost for entire challenge: $75

Here's what the full plan includes:

1. DAILY EMAILED TIPS & INSPIRATION: to keep you creative and learning in small bites.

2. FREE MEAL PLANS W/ FOOD ALLERGY ADAPTATIONS: We'll supply you with meal plans "curated" by nutritionist Brooke Kaufman.

3. PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST SUPPORT: Everyone has unique circumstances. Nutritionist Brooke Kaufman will provide each participant with answers to 2-3 email questions per week.

4. DISCOUNT ON CUSTOM MEAL PLANS: If you need more support, all participants will receive a $10 discount on 1 week of custom meal plans with nutritionist Brooke Kaufman.

5. TEACHING & SUPPORT WEBCASTS W/ Q&A: The GAPS Diet provides a great opportunity to learn about your body & the diet. The more you learn, the more fascinated you will become with how healing works, and the more successful you will be with GAPS. After each webcast there will be time for questions from the experts, as well as support from Brooke, Elisabeth, the guests, and the group.

LIST OF WEBCASTS INCLUDED (you can also register separately, outside of the Challenge):

#1: Listen Online Now (free): Is the GAPS Diet for YOU?


#2: The Gut / Brain Connection with GAPS Certified Practitioner Toni Fairman
*June 14, 2013; 12:00 pm EDT.... 9:00 am PDT
- Challenge Participants: Included
- Purchase separately: $15

#3: The ART of SUPPLEMENTATION & DETOXIFICATION
*June 21, 2013 12:00 pm EDT (9:00 am PDT)
- Challenge Participants: Included
- Purchase separately: $15

#4: MEDITATION – Dealing with Change & the Emotional Issues of Eating
....w/ Carol Hendershot, Mindfulness Based Meditation Instructor
*June 28, 2013 12:00 pm EDT (9:00 am PDT)
- Challenge Participants: Included
- Purchase separately: $15

 Are you ready to begin?

The GAPS Diet. A Nutritionist's Personal Story.

Brooke Kaufman, Balance Within Nutrition

Written by Guest Blogger, Brooke Kaufman, Holistic Nutritionist

I first learned about the GAPS diet when I ran into an in-depth interview of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride (the creator of the GAPS diet) on Dr. Mercola’s website. You can listen to the interview here.

Why I started GAPS

After listening to the interview I was intrigued, and what she was saying about the connection between gut flora and mental health and behavior all rang true to me, and mirrored what I had learned in my studies as a Nutrition Consultant. My interest was piqued, and so a couple of months later when I started noticing that “something just wasn’t quite right” with my digestive system, the GAPS diet came to mind. I started preparing myself and my kitchen to begin the intro phase of the diet using the on-line resources, but decided it would probably be wisest to go ahead and purchase the GAPS book and the corresponding cookbook, Internal Bliss. I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t missing anything essential in this carefully laid out, gut healing protocol.

Wondering what the GAPS diet is?  Read an introduction.

Healing Medicine for a Long-time Vegetarian

Luckily, I had gotten a pressure cooker from my mom for my birthday, because it is definitely a big help with implementing the GAPS diet, which requires that you pretty much constantly have a big pot of broth or soup cooking on the stovetop. I had never had or made bone broth before in my life. I had been a strict vegetarian for fourteen years, and was just beginning to experiment with adding some small amounts of high-quality animal protein into my diet. Normally, buying grass-fed beef bones and putting them in a pot on my stove would have been a very edgy thing for me…but this was no ordinary pot of bones. This was healing medicine that I was determined to cook up for my inflamed digestive system. There is something sacred and empowering about making medicinal food for yourself, and it is just as magical to make medicine for a loved one. It’s all about bringing the intention of love and healing into your kitchen.

Nourished Without Raw Greens?

I did the intro phase of the GAPS diet for a few weeks, and during that time felt more deeply nourished than I had ever felt in my life. I had to eat several times a day and was constantly making bone broth and soups/stews. I was amazed at how I could feel so nourished while eating absolutely no leafy greens, and eating nothing raw! In my previous way of eating and thinking, I truly felt that if I went even one day without a leafy green or a salad that I was seriously compromising my immune system, and missing out on much needed nutrition. While there is no denying the health benefits of eating leafy greens and raw fruits and vegetables, they are only beneficial to you IF you can properly digest and assimilate their nutrients.

When Can You Best Digest Raw?

Despite the naturally-occurring enzymes that plant foods contain that aid in digestion, some people still become uncomfortably bloated and gassy when eating these foods. Donna Gates, author of the Body Ecology Diet says, “The ancients were well aware that raw vegetables were difficult to digest; in Chinese Medicine, for example, it is well known that raw foods are best eaten by someone with strong “digestive fire.” A major cause of poor “digestive fire” is that our adrenals and thyroid are both poorly nourished and taxed by toxins and daily stress.”

Nourishing and healing the digestive system with gentle, easy to digest, soothing foods and probiotic foods is essential for health and the purpose and main goal of the GAPS diet.

What is Optimal Nutrition?  Perception Shift.

My Experience with the GAPS diet (along with my other experiences and research) completely shifted my ideas about what optimal nutrition really is. It helped me to tune in to what is truly nourishing for my unique body type and genetic predisposition. It was like pressing the “reset button” on my digestive system. After doing the intro diet for a few weeks, my bloating and burping symptoms after meals went away. I did experience some initial detox symptoms (low energy and some dizziness and nausea) for the first week, as bad bacteria in my intestines died off and released their toxins, and as I started to get the hang of the diet…keeping a nourishing soup on the stove at all times, I began to feel stronger and healthier than ever.

I was only able to do the introduction part of the diet for three weeks, and then I went on a road trip which pretty much took me right off the diet, though I did stay away from all grains, sugars, and processed foods.

Join Me & Elisabeth for a GAPS Diet Challenge!

I'll be giving it another "go" with Elisabeth Veltman, owner of The Tender Foodie & The Tender Palate, and with YOU during our GAPS Diet Challenge.  I want to help further heal and seal my gut, as well as help you.  If you are allergic to nuts, which is a big part of GAPS or are sensitive to other foods on the diet, we'll be offering custom phone calls and nut-free options for you.

 Here's how you sign up for the Challenge (click here)!

Or Just Sign Up for Our Upcoming Webcasts Separately!

June 14, 2013: The Gut / Brain Connection wtih Toni Fairman, NTP, Certified GAPS Practitioner

June 21, 2013: The Art of Supplementation & Detoxification

June 28, 2013: MINDFUL MEDITATION - Dealing w/Change & the Emotional Issues of Eating with Carol Hendershot, Mindful Meditation Instructor 

Why Many People Do GAPS

Doing the GAPS diet for many people is motivated by their desire to help heal their child’s digestive and/or behavioral issues. For parents doing the diet for and alongside their child, I applaud you and admire your willingness to take the health of your family into your own hands. Although it is not easy at times, dedicating several weeks or months to healing is a small price to pay in comparison to years of struggling with illnesses and disorders for which the western medical doctors have no cures for; only prescription medications that are temporary surface solutions to underlying long-term issues. There are resources and solutions in the GAPS diet book, and on-line for strategies to successfully do the diet with your child.

How I Got Started

1. BUY THE BOOK & RECIPES

Whether you decide to do the diet on your own, work with a GAPS Practitioner, or join our virtual support group (The GAPS Challenge), its really essential to buy the book and read it. Our challenge helps break down the more difficult concepts of the book, and helps guide you through the gobs of information the book provides, but there is no substitute for using the book as a reference.

2. GET A PROBIOTIC

The first thing I did in preparation to begin the GAPS Introduction diet, was to go to my naturopathic doctor’s office and purchase a medical grade probiotic supplement. It was a little pricey (around $40 for a month’s supply) but definitely worth it. Some people advise that if you have severe digestive issues, to wait till you’ve completed the intro phase of the diet to begin taking the probiotic. I decided to begin taking it right away, though began with only one pill a day and didn’t increase to two pills per day for a couple of weeks.

Read "Hidden Allergens Abound in Supplements & Medication" (If you are really sensitive / allergic to dairy, see recommendations in the article)

3. MAKE A GROCERY LIST

The next thing I did was make a grocery list of the foods that I would need to buy at the store to keep myself properly nourished. The list of ingredients was short (there’s not much you can eat during this phase), and I seriously underestimated the quantity of food I would need to buy, which was fine because I prefer to shop frequently anyway for meats and vegetables so that my ingredients are always fresh.

4. DOWNLOAD A MEAL PLAN

To help make life a lot easier, use a meal plan. I've created & curated a meal plan for 3 weeks during the challenge for your GAPS intro diet adventure. We'll post a few recipes along the way for everyone to try, as well. Start with the bone broths below.

5.  MAKE BONE BROTH

Then I began making a big pot of bone broth. This was my first adventure into the world of bone broth, which I found to be quite fascinating. I was taught in my nutrition studies how deeply nourishing bone broths were, especially for those who are recovering from serious injury or illness. I found a way to make a rich bone broth that was very palatable to my tastes (smooth, rich and not too strong of a meaty flavor). You can see the recipe here.

You can find more information on how to do the introduction to the GAPS diet here: http://www.gapsdiet.com/INTRODUCTION_DIET.html

Once you are going strong on the Introduction phase of the GAPS diet, you can begin to test more GAPS-approved foods. To test a food before introducing it to the diet, do the Sensitivity Test.

Here are some bone broth recipes:

Nourishing Bone Broth (pressure cooker)

Nutrient Rich Beef Bone Broth (slow cooker / crock pot)

Tip: Roast Your Beef Bones Before Making Broth

6.  DO SELF-SENSITIVITY TESTING

Take a drop of the food in question (if the food is solid, mash and mix with a bit of water) and place it on the inside of your wrist at bedtime.  Let the drop dry on the skin, then go to sleep.  In the morning check the spot: if there is an angry red reaction, then avoid that food for a few weeks, and then try again.  If there is no reaction, then go ahead and introduce it gradually starting from a small amount.

If there is no symptom with the sensitivity test, then you continue to introduce more and more foods from the list of allowed foods, until you are doing the full GAPS diet. A list of allowed foods can be found here: http://www.gapsdiet.com/The_Diet.html

Leaky Gut & A Tender Foodie Story.

Elisabeth Veltman, The Tender Foodie

My Story - The Short Version

Holistic Nutritionist Brooke Kaufman and I were speaking on the phone one day, and I shared with her some of my own food allergy struggles. I don't open up about that very often. Even though global understanding and eradication of food allergies are passions of mine, and even though I HAVE to talk about them to both do my job and stay personally safe, and even though I counsel people regularly to embrace their allergies and not be embarrased by them . . . I'm embarrassed by mine.   Most people are incredibly kind and understanding, but a few have not been. So I hesitated when I chatted with Brooke and said, "I'm a strong chick, but my gut is weak. I need to do something about it, and do it now, or I"m afraid that my health will once again spiral out of control."

So I"m telling you part of my story, chapter 27 or so, of this epic gumshoe tale where trenchcoated, sillouetted figures appear and disappear in the billowing smoke, revealing themselves either as red herrings or hardboiled facts. OK. I'm telling you this part of the story, because it might help some of you.  I hope it does.

Like a 1940's Film Noir - Chapter 27

I had been on a fairly even keel for a while, had a pretty set diet, and felt OK, not great, fairly stable.  Like many of you, I had a list of allergies and sensitivities ranging from very severe to seemingly mild. I was instructed by doctor and allergen testing company alike to rotate those foods that tested low, and then remove the more highly allergenic foods on the list. I hadn't touched the top allergens in years, so I removed the new / low ones believing that they would eventually go away. That often happens, some delayed reactions can go away if you avoid the food for a while. I did this, and then one day, my beloved blueberries and strawberries made my lips swell, my spine inflame, my hands and joints swell and my heart palpitate. It felt like a cloak and dagger event, where something I trusted and loved betrayed me. These two berries were on the rotation list.  The instructions were, "Don't eat more than every 4 days", which I abided by diligently, until summer came. My beloved berries became the "berries fatale" in a 1940's detective-style film noir.

At the moment of the reaction, I cut out every bloody thing on my list of allergens. Read every label for my entire list of allergens, even things sweetened wtih fruit juices. This helped. But sure enough, when I did eat parsley by mistake, for instance, the same symptoms returned. Plus a lovely knife through my head, and the feeling that cold, steel fingers wrapped around the back of my neck and into my throat. I have had constant pain in my right side and lower back from inflammation in the gut for a number of years.  And no one could tell me what to do about it. Even smart people. And I worked with some great detectives.

Going Grain-less - Not Without Surprises

But after cutting my entire allergen list from my diet, I simply didn't feel quite right and decided to cut out grains and seeds, as well.  Some grains, and grain-like seeds like Quinoa, have a similar enough protein structure to gluten that some folks' immune systems might mistake it for gluten. I went all Paleo (grain-free) and started consuming Tapioca in the form of this incredibly delicious bread. Tapioca is also a replacement for soy lecithin in chocolate.  Much to my chagrin, tapioca can also cross react with / as gluten. I found this out as an allergy to it started building. It started as a runny nose every time I ate it, then I felt exhausted, bloated, and watched as this lovely fat began building around my mid-section, and my pain became worse and worse. Then I had to run from a yoga class because I started sweating profusely and it felt like I was about to hurl an alien being henceforth from my stomach. I wasn't sure which food was causing this discomfort at first, then went into a bit of denial. I mean, tapicoa is yummy, and it just couldn't be that!. I ignored the clues. Then one night about 2 hours after I had worked on a recipe for a lamb pizza w/ tapioca flour, consumed it, and had eaten some tapioca-based chocolate, I woke up with heart palpitations so severe that I nearly called 911. I've had heart palpitations many times before but had never, ever had them this badly. I started down the stairs to drive myself to the hospital. My face was hot and terribly swollen, as were my hands. I decided to sit by the phone for a bit and wait to see if my heart and breathing calmed down. I didn't call because I didn't want to (YOU should call). I was also afraid they would use epinephrine on me. I have a severe reaction to epinephrine - go figure, it makes my heart palpitate quite badly. Finally, the reaction calmed enough so I could breathe again, and I got a few hours of sleep. I didn't have any Benedryl in the house.  Now I do. And believe me, I'm also researching other means of rescue besides an Epi-pen and will pass this on when and if I find it.

Grainless Had Unexpected Benefits, Too

Going grainless has given me an unexpected benefit: I no longer need thyroid medication. At least not right now!  Hallelujah. There could be other factors that have contributed to this small miracle, but it seems that others have let go of their thryroid meds as well after going Paleo. I don't plan to keep grains out of my life forever, because I do feel like my particular body  needs them. We are all unique, after all. I will reintroduce them carefully, however, and start with fermented grains as the GAPS Full Diet suggests (after finishing the intro gut-healing phase).  Right now, I feel like grain-less is the right move to be able to heal my gut.

The Last Egg

As I adjusted to the Paleo Diet, I found myself consuming many more chicken eggs than normal.  Guess what, my intuition started warning me to lay off the eggs (pun intended). I noticed a similar kind of build up that I experienced with tapioca, so I took them out of my diet as well, and felt better.  Then one night I decided to try them again and woke up with a swollen face, hands and all of those other symptoms.  The reaction was not as bad as the tapioca reaction, but a repeat performance of THAT was not a desireable situation. Plus I took Benedryl immediately which helped. But chicken eggs are now out. New swear words are in.

Could This Spiral Out of Control?

So I spoke to Brooke, the Holistic Nutritionist, because I fear that this vicious cycle will spiral even more out of control. This was simply not an option. Constant testing is very pricey, can be inaccurate, and simply not desireable - even though there are new tests out there now which I intend to explore further for us all. I had been taking lots of medical grade supplements to heal the gut, prescribed by my wonderful doctor, but nothing was working. I had been researching different diets and had heard some amazing things about the GAPS Diet.

So I've decided to try it, and invite you to try it with me!

Nutritionists Who Know Their Stuff Are Awesome

In my conversation with Brooke, she said that she had healed her gut by doing the Intro portion  - the gut -healing phases - of the diet a few years ago. As we talked, I decided to do the GAPS Intro, and then get retested for allergies later.  I asked her if she would help me, because this diet is not easy. If you have the right information, it isn't that hard, but without it, it seemed overwhelming.

Brooke is not only a Holistic Nutritionist who makes great recipes, she was a vegetarian in a great deal of distress at one point in her life (read her story here). The GAPS diet helped her heal and as she says, "it changed my entire paradigm about food and diet."

I've been on the diet for four days now, and already my right side and lower back pain have already greatly subsided.  The Intro Diet is meant to "heal and seal" the gut lining so good bacteria/ flora can thrive and have the strength in numbers to elbow out the bad stuff. Bad bacteria and any parasite overgrowth are also starved of their food - they love starch, sugar, and fiber. A leaky gut (aka, the entire digestive tube) attracts these nasty little buggers, and allows unbroken-down food proteins past the intestinal wall, and this is what puts the immune system on high alert for multiple foods, creating more sensitivities and even allergies. A healed and sealed gut reverses both of these problems.

I plan to go through the entire 6 week intro phase to heal my gut with Brooke's support. Many of the foods on the diet I'm allergic to, so she is helping me find alternatives. She will support all who participate in the Challenge, through 3 of these stages. That's 21 days, the ideal time that experts say it take to make a change! 

I look forward to the rest of this healing journey.

Join Me!

If you are ready to join me in this challenge, Brooke and I have developed a program that gives you the maximum support for a very reasonable cost.  If you feel the GAPS Diet is for you, join us next week!