I've started something....

and now I can't stop! :( Do you all remember me saying I had some medical tests done a month or so ago? I was having some weird symptoms, and they decided to do blood work and an ultrasound. Some of the conclusions were this: low iron and vitamin D levels (which, by the way, what woman living in the northern half of the country does not have these problems???) and I have the gene. The gene I was hoping I did not have. The gene that my grandmother has. The gene that my mother has. The gene that my son has. And the gene that my great-grandfather probably had because he died of stomach cancer. I've got the celiac gene. In case you are new to celiac, let me give you a beginner's course, Reader's Digest version. :) Celiac is an autoimmune disorder that tends to strike those of Irish or English descent. It is a genetic disorder. If you don't have the gene, you don't have a chance of ever getting it. Your intestines are lined with little finger-like projections called villi. These villi are responsible for absorbing nutrients into your body. If you have celiac disease, wheat and gluten (the protein found in wheat, barley, oats, rye, etc.) attack those villi and make them crumble and die. :) Therefore, you can no longer absorb nutrients the way you were meant to. The only cure for celiac is a GF (gluten free) diet. If you stop consuming gluten, the villi repair themselves and your body can work like it's supposed to again. Some people know they have celiac because they've always struggled with irritable bowl syndrome, or they have had multiple miscarriages or have trouble getting pregnant at all. Others have constipation, mood swings, and chronic fatigue. There is no right or wrong symptoms. It can affect everyone differently. My doctor got the results from my blood work and I was called in for a follow up appointment. As she looked over everything, she finally said "wow. it almost looks like celiac might be in your family history somewhere." No DUH! So of course she suggested I go gluten free. This was about a month ago. It took me this long to part ways with warm, homemade bread and cinnamon rolls. :) I took baby steps at first. I went a whole day GF. No real difference. I had gluten a few days in a row, and went back to feeling "not right". Then I went 2 days GF. On day three I laid my kiddos down for their naps and grabbed a homemade roll for a snack. The roll was delicious but I got a headache immediately following. Weird, I thought. I went another day or two eating the SAD (standard american diet). I tried again, 2 days GF, before having a homemade cinnamon roll for dessert. I was SO not prepared for what came next. My brain felt so fuzzy, like I was distracted or had a hard time concentrating, along with the usual headache. That's when I knew. It was time to make the change. My body was throwing huge red flags at me, showing me that it just couldn't tolerate what I was eating. I've been GF ever since. :) And guess what? I've already lost 5 pounds. :) :) :) Weight = Waste. That's what my holistic doctor told me. It looks like my body is finally able to work properly. And let me tell ya....I feel terrific! I wish everyone would get tested. Fertility problems? Get tested! Chronic fatigue? Get tested! Constipated? (I can't believe I just wrote that...) Get tested! IBS? Get tested! Growth delays in children? TEST THEM! Check out this site for some other very common symptoms. It's only a simple blood test, people! And something to think about....both my mom and my grandmother tested positive for the gene, but negative for the disease. They were continually having health problems, so they went for further testing (other than blood work....G.I. specialist, etc.) which eventually resulted in the diagnosis. Point being: if you have the gene as well as some health problems, go gluten free anyway! PLEASE remember though, if you want further testing, DON'T CHANGE YOUR DIET until your tests are done. If you start eliminating gluten, your villi will start repairing themselves and your upper or lower GI will not show destruction to your villi which will look like you don't have celiac. I really hope at least one person found this interesting. :) Betty Crocker just came out with a GF brownie mix, which I just happened to have made today. Let me tell you, you can't taste the difference! Please excuse me while this GF girl goes and enjoys a brownie and a glass of milk. :)

A book that I highly recommend: The Gluten Free Girl.