Health Diets - Gluten Free Diet Information for the Control of Coeliacs or Celiacs Disease

Though this gluten free diet can help you lose weight due to the avoidance of grain and other carbs, it generally is highly recommended for the person out there who suffers from Coeliacs [also known as Celiacs] disease and/or has a wheat allergy.

What is Coeliacs disease you ask?

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This is a fairly common digestive tract condition and is caused by the intolerance of the body to the protein gluten. When a person with this problem has eaten something containing gluten they may have a adverse reaction which could cause a wide range of symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating[causing flatulence] to name but a few. These symptoms can range from very mild to severe and affect mainly the small intestine.

This is generally caused by the persons immune system mistaking the gluten as a hostile organism. The body's natural defense system [immune system] then attacks this gluten thinking it is a virus, causing damage to the intestine.

So by restricting certain types of gluten's from our diet by avoiding grains and heavily processed foods [easier said than done] we can ease the symptoms of this disease and live a more comfortable and flatulence free life.

What is Gluten?

This is a protein and it is found in some grains like wheat, rye and barley. It is therefore found in different types of foods which include pasta, cakes, most breads, malt vinegar and some breakfast cereals.

There are different terms on the labels of some food that can indicate the presence of gluten, these are starch, flavoring, emulsifier, stabilizer and hydrolyzed plant protein. So a person prone to digestive tract problems like coeliacs needs to be very aware of what the food they are purchasing contains.

Foods most likely containing gluten:
flour, cereal, vegetable protein, malt or malt flavorings, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, vegetable gum and soy sauce. These foods and sauces should be avoided wherever possible.

There are some foods that do not contain gluten, remember to check the label though as some might have gone through some type of processing which could have added gluten. These are: corn, rice, soybeans, potato, tapioca, buckwheat, millet and arrowroot, to name but a few.

A vast majority of distilled beverages are also gluten free, and there are specific food companies that produce various foods that are free of gluten, these are clearly labeled and available at most health stores.

There is no miracle cure for coeliac disease, but changing to a gluten-free diet will help control this condition's symptoms and as always check with your doctor before trying any diet program.

Health Diets - Gluten Free Diet Information for the Control of Coeliacs or Celiacs Disease

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Gluten Free Diets Help Control Diabetes

Diabetics who are living a gluten free lifestyle are seeing a significant decrease in their blood sugar levels (BSL.) Combining the diet with a regular workout program and you will experience lower BSL, and an increased energy level and a much healthier outlook.

First you have to understand what gluten is: Gluten is a protein that is found in grains, this particular protein cannot be digested by people suffering with the disease known as Celiac.

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A diet program was created to help the millions of people that have Celiac disease, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), Diabetes and Wheat Allergies. Finding foods and recipes that are free from wheat, barley, rye, bulgur, semolina, farina, kasha, matzo meal, and oats can be a problem at times. (Oats are not gluten harmful, however they are frequently processed in the same factories as wheat. Look for gluten-free labels on all oat packages) Gluten can be found in food additive that stabilize and thicken foods that are processed including many alcoholic beverages. For those with Celiac, IBS and Wheat Allergies. A diet that is completely without gluten is a 100% commitment to being free of all whole grains and everything that is produced with grains.

Finding gluten free foods and recipes that my whole family would eat three meals a day was a challenge until I read about a former executive chef and owner of a 100% gluten-free, sugar-free, low-glycemic, organic, allergy-friendly restaurant, who compiled all her recipes into a delicious gluten-free cookbook. My family was won over by the desserts!

The large majority of people on gluten restricted diets, know that it is not an either/or lifestyle it is a commitment to a way of eating. For me as a diabetic, Restricting the amount of gluten I eat has allowed me more control with my diabetes, and with better control of my BSL I have been able to reduce many of my diabetes medications.

Gluten Free Diets Help Control Diabetes

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More Drugless Ways to Control Hypertension

Here are more ways to control hypertension without the use of drugs. These guidelines were issued by the Department of Health (DOH) in Manila and are recommended for those with mild hypertension (those with a reading of 140/90) who have no underlying disease.

EXERCISE REGULARLY. Exercise leads to weight loss which, in turn, lowers your blood pressure. So if you're hypertensive and are overweight, a little exercise can solve both problems.

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If you haven't been exercising for a long time now, have a medical checkup before you embark on a fitness program. Begin gradually and work your way up to a level that's not too taxing for you.

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to use expensive equipment or join a marathon to benefit from exercise. Neither should exercise leave you out of breath and close to a heart attack.

Walking is simple yet it is a good exercise for most people. So is swimming, jogging, or aerobic dancing. Proceed at your own pace and you'll be surprised at the results.

"You should exercise at least three times a week. That will keep you in good shape and lower your blood pressure," said Dr. Desiree M. Narvaez, a medical specialist formerly with the DOH Non-Communicable Disease Control Service.

REDUCE SALT INTAKE. People with hypertension think they're doomed to a life without salt. This is impossible since salt is found in all plants and animals and is required for the normal functioning of the body. Salt restriction - not the avoidance of salt - applies mainly to hypertensive individuals who are "sodium-sensitive" or those whose readings soar whenever they take excessive salt.

"It's not true that everyone with hypertension must follow a salt-free diet. Only certain individuals need to reduce their intake appreciably. You can determine if you're one of them by going on a strict low-salt diet for a few weeks. If your blood pressure doesn't drop much, then you are probably not salt-sensitive and can enjoy the health advantages (and pleasures) of moderate salt intake without risk," revealed Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld of the New York Hospital - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in "The Best Treatment."

If you happen to salt-sensitive, decrease your total salt intake to less than one teaspoon a day to reduce hyperten¬sion. The body's daily requirement is half a grain (or a quarter teaspoon), but many people consume three to four teaspoons of salt daily.

"For people trying to cut back on sodium, hiding the salt shaker won't do the job. About 70 percent of our sodium intake comes from processed foods, so it's important to read ingredient labels. Foods notoriously high in sodium include salted pretzels, sausages, pickles, tomato juice and canned vegetables," said Larry Katzenstein, senior editor of American Health magazine.

Other high-salt goodies include bacon and ham, luncheon meats, and cheese and cheese products. Hold the ketchup, mustard and soy sauce as well or your blood pressure could shoot up like a rocket.

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST, HAVE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED REGULARLY. Visit your doctor regularly to have your blood pressure checked. It's also wise to invest in a sphygmomanometer and learn to take your own blood pressure at home. Various devices are available. Your physician can advice you on which model to buy. (Next: When to treat hypertension.)

More Drugless Ways to Control Hypertension

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