IS GLUTEN THE DIETARY DEMON many today think it is? If you eat cheeseburgers or French fries all the time or drink six sodas a day, you likely know you are shortening your life. But eating a nice dark, crunchy slice of whole wheat bread–how could that be bad for you? Well, bread contains gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut, and oats. It is hidden in pizza, pasta, bread, wraps, rolls, and most processed foods. Clearly, gluten is a staple of the American diet. What most people don’t know is that gluten can cause serious health complications for many. You may be at risk even if you don’t have full blown celiac disease.
In my most recent appearance on the Dr. Oz Show I explained why gluten is a problem for up to 20 million Americans, even though 99 percent of those affected don’t realize it. Interested in learning more about gluten, its effects, why so many are sensitive, and how to determine if you have a problem? Check out my interview with Dr. Oz and then use the resources below for further study.
The Dangers of Gluten
A recent large study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people with diagnosed, undiagnosed, and “latent” celiac disease or gluten sensitivity had a higher risk of death, mostly from heart disease and cancer.
This study looked at almost 30,000 patients from 1969 to 2008 and examined deaths in three groups: Those with full-blown celiac disease, those with inflammation of their intestine but not full-blown celiac disease, and those with latent celiac disease or gluten sensitivity (elevated gluten antibodies but negative intestinal biopsy). To get the full story and learn about the results of this study, see my most recent blog on gluten.
How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?
The wonderful thing about gluten sensitivity is that is a completely curable problem. The answer? Just stay off gluten or eat it in limited quantities.
But how do you know if you’re sensitive in the first place? You can go to a functional medicine or integrative health practitioner and get expensive IgG antibody tests done to identify whether or not this protein is a problem for you. For some this kind of testing may be useful. However, for the majority of people interested in identifying gluten sensitivity, there is an easier and less expensive way. It’s called an elimination diet, and it’s simple. All you have to do is eliminate gluten from your diet for two to six weeks. If you lose weight and your symptoms (even vague symptoms like nasal congestion, joint pain, and digestive problems) disappear, it’s likely gluten is a problem for you. To verify this finding, all you have to do is reintroduce gluten into your diet systematically. If your symptoms reappear, you’ve verified that you have a gluten sensitivity.
The Gluten-Elimination Diet
For a complete six-week, gluten-free meal plan simply enter your name and email address below. When you do, you will automatically be subscribed to my weekly newsletter and you will receive a free copy of The UltraMind 6-Week Meal Plan–a gluten-free way of eating designed to optimize your mind and body and help you lose weight and feel great.
I would like to get the free 6 week gluten free meal plan diet emailed to my address above to test to see if I have a problem with gluten.
I am very interested in getting rid of my tummy fat. I am slim otherwise.
Please send me the gluten-free meal plan
Hi Heidi,
It has now been posted so please visit our articles!
In good health,
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
Please send me the gluten-free meal plan
Hi Chris,
Here you go: http://drhyman.com/downloads/UltraMind6weekEatingPlan.pdf
Enjoy!
What is an acceptable replacement for the plan if you can’t have soy? Thanks!
Hi Lana,
Try any protein source you like- poultry, fish, shellfish etc! For more personalized nutrition advice, Dr Hyman’s nutrition coaching team would be happy to work with you on an individual level to help you reach your goals. To work with the nutrition coaching team please go to:http://www.bloodsugarsolution.com/nutrition-coaching/ OR call (800) 892-1443 to get started.
I was just diagnosed with celiac disease, please send me the 6 wk plan….
I need help starting my new life.
Thanking you for “all” that you do!
Hi Dottie,
It has recently been posted so please check it out under our articles. Thank you for your interest and best of luck!
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
I would love a copy of the 6 week gluten free diet plan. I was diagnosed with Celiac 4 years ago and finding new healthy ideas is hard!!
Thank You Cynthia, Stay Tuned!
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
I am very interested in the six week plan
Thank You Erin, Stay Tuned!
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
I would like a copyof the 6 week gluten free meal plan emailed to my email above please.
Thanks
Hi Cindy,
A copy of the meal plan has beenn forwarded. Thank you for your interest in Dr. Hyman’s work.
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
Please send me more informaiton on gluten-free lifestyle and free copy of The UltraMind 6-Week Meal Plan–a gluten-free way of eating
Thank You Joanne, Stay Tuned!
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
I would like to get the meal plan forwarded please. My 5 year has some issues and the doctor believes she is either gluten intolerant or celiac. Thank you.
Thank You Gina, Stay Tuned!
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
please send me the gluten free diet plan as soon as possible
Hi Yasir,
Enjoy! http://drhyman.com/downloads/UltraMind6weekEatingPlan.pdf
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
HI, I was able to get the gluten free diet, but it is only showing me up to week 2. Where will I find week 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Thank you !
Hi Julee,
Please see this link:http://drhyman.com/downloads/UltraMind6weekEatingPlan.pdf
The idea is to follow it as written for the first 2 weeks, then mix it up for the next two weeks and the final 2 weeks you can take it and be creative as you personalize it. Of course, if playing around with recipes or making them up yourself is too much, simply use those provided!
In good health!
Lizzy
Nutrition Coaching Program
I
Dear Dr, Hyman and team,
I am 20 years old and am lactose intolerant, have acid reflux, IBS, chronic kidney disease, eczema and am on medication for ADHD. I knew I needed a change in diet and went gluten free a few months ago, however, I was still a bit lost and in need of guidance. After reading your articles, just two days ago, I went out and bought all the ingredients for the 6 week eating plan.
Going gluten free and buying healthy organic foods can be quite expensive, but many of your ingredients are things I already have in my house. Your recipes are simple, easy to follow and the ingredients are things that I am already familiar with or can easily be found at my local store. Your information made me realize how I was poisoning my body and has helped me explore foods that I never even knew existed. I now have bok choy in my fridge, something I never heard of until your articles. You have taught me that by making changes in diet many health issues can be controlled or even eliminated.
Today was my first day and I just ate the Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs. Not only was it delicious but it was satisfying. I recommend this plan to everyone. I am very excited to try the next recipe and am eager to see the positive changes in my body that hopefully this lifestyle change will bring.
Thank you Dr. Hyman and your team for helping me get on track to restoring my health and vitality. I will never go back to my processed, hydrogenated, toxic ways again. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Please e-mail me a copy of the 6 week gluten free meal plan. Thank you
Hi Patti,
Enjoy: http://drhyman.com/downloads/UltraMind6weekEatingPlan.pdf
Please send me an e-mail of the 6 week gluten free meal plan. I need to lose weight
the healthy way..
thanks!
Enjoy Julie: http://drhyman.com/downloads/UltraMind6weekEatingPlan.pdf
Please send me the 6 week gluten free diet plan. Thank you
Hi Kami,
Enjoy: http://drhyman.com/downloads/UltraMind6weekEatingPlan.pdf
Can i have a copy of that diet please? Thank u
Hi Julie,
Here you go: http://drhyman.com/downloads/UltraMind6weekEatingPlan.pdf
Enjoy!
My daughter is adopted she is not aduilt & married We have to watch out for things with cinnamon in them She starts turning very flushed, mouth area starts to burn, she can’t breath should we be on gaurd for any thing else she is some what over weight mostly a flabby over weight what can we do to help her She is the most special person i ever been around she is a blessing
Your question and constellation of symptoms represents a complex medical condition. Questions regarding conditions like these cannot be answered in a responsible manner via the Internet.
Wishing You the Best of Health!
Dr. Hyman Staff
I don’t know where to start=== I weigh only 98 #. I’m 68 yrs. old= female. My thyroid, just tested, was 13.89, 3 times the
normal. I’m cold all the time, foggy brain, memory problems, can’t gain weight, have osteoporosis, tired all the time.
I took thyroid medicine yrs. ago and broke out in a very bad rash…. I do not take any other medicine then or now.
The research I have done says that the medicine for thyroid has never changed and isn’t even FDA approved. Mainly
because it is not reliable. Even nurses I know say they are tired then ok for just awhile then back to the same old
problems. Could Celiac Diease or Gluten be the cause of all my problems???? I have seen many drs. and all tell
me the same thing. NO ONE can be allergic to Thyroid medicine. The rash was tested by the demotologists by taking a sample of the rash… It came back drug eruption.. Since I was on no other medicine of any
kind– it had to be the thyroid meds. I sent an e-mail to DR. Oz about this but have not heard anything back.
That was over a yr. ago. Have sent some more off and on, even sending one to the producer of the show. Just had
cataract surgery on my eyes, dr. said thyroid can even effect my eyes.
Can you help me????? I am willing to try anything. I am now taking and have been for a year Raw Natural thyroid
gland and Raw Adrenal gland from natural source–Swanson Co. It comes from cattle in New Zealand and has no chemicals on the ground, grass, feed or water. All natural, so they are telling me. Please who can help? I do not eat Pork of any kind as it is against my religion, so Armor Brand of thyroid was not an option.. Thank you for listening (reading) about my problems. Sincerely, Mrs. Susan Petersen moonlight91101@gmail.com
Thank you for your message and your interest in Dr. Hyman’s work. Your question and constellation of symptoms represents a complex medical condition. Questions regarding conditions like these cannot be answered in a responsible manner via the Internet.
Wishing You the Best of Health!
Dr. Hyman Staff