Gluten & Pain
May 22, 2013
One of the most common addictions my patients have is the LOVE of bread and pastries. Prior to limiting my gluten intake and weight loss, I thought there was nothing better than a slice of hot bread with butter gently melting into the crevices formed by the yeast air bubbles! I’m sure you can taste and feel the butter oozing down the side of your lip right now!
I am always searching for information on pain and inflammation to help our patients. Oftentimes I have them fill out diet sheets, and they are taken back when I suggest the bread they eat, may be the cause of their discomfort. I have one such patient, Alice (not her real name due to HIPPA), who has been a patient for a while, but never understood the role of food and her neck pain. Alice, like so many, has an active weekend with social gatherings, and wheat-based foods tend to be the highlight. I suggested Alice halt the wheat and gluten products (rye, oats, barley) for two weeks. When she came into the office recently, she carried a large smile on her face celebrating the fact she did not have any pain!
Do you have neck pain? Does the pain settle on the left side of your neck and mid-back? Have you ever journaled the food you eat in a week or even a day? I want you to sit back as you read and remember the food you ate the last few days: Did you have cereal, toast, pastries and pizza? I do not want you to beat yourself up, but, from my experience, you will continue to have pain if you deviate from the gluten free lifestyle.
I have been intrigued by the information about gluten’s relationship with dementia. It has been suggested, gluten creates a phenomenon in the brain called “hypoperfusion”, where there are clouds of tangled nerve tissue that have been demonstrated to short circuit brain function. Through saliva testing, I have discovered you can determine your gliadin level (a form of gluten in wheat) which can be elevated in some patients who also have adrenal gland exhaustion. The adrenal glands are a pair of walnut shaped glands located on top of the kidney. Wheat and other grains can create a demand on adrenal function and be a cause of your exhaustion. Have you ever wondered if gliadin and/or gluten could be the cause of your lack of energy. I would suggest if you are a “wanderer” who is exhausted throughout the day, you may consider investing into your health with an Adrenal Stress Index. You’ll be glad you did!
