The truth is, we knew quite a bit about sensitivity to gluten 65 years ago when Matilda Babbitz’s son Bobby was diagnosed with celiac disease. A nurse by profession, Matilda carefully observed her baby and kept detailed records of his reactions to foods, working with doctors to determine an appropriate diet for Bobby.
Nadine discusses the systematic approach Bobby’s healthcare team took in creating a custom diet, the relationship between the baby’s irritability and his inability to digest food, and his growth and development before and after treatment. She also addresses the misunderstanding that children will ‘grow out of’ celiac disease, explaining that we’ve since learned patients must adhere to a 100% gluten-free diet for life. Listen in for insight around what we can learn from past case studies of celiac disease and understand what we already knew about celiac disease back when Eisenhower was president and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was on the big screen!
What’s Discussed:
How Bobby presented with celiac disease at six months of age
Sudden attack of diarrhea, upper respiratory infection
History of GI difficulty + distended abdomen, increased gas
Marked irritability, weight loss, inability to move arms/legs
The dramatic change in Bobby’s behavior after a diet change
Symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting and weakness disappeared
Irritability subsided with shift to skim milk
The new pediatrician’s approach when Bobby’s progress stalled
Shift to goat’s milk, added complete multivitamin supplement
The relationship between irritable behavior and the inability to digest foods
Nurse/mom kept detailed records of foods eaten, reactions
Bobby’s growth and development before and after diagnosis
Lost ability to perform gross motor activity prior to diagnosis
Caught up with age group after diet change (walked at 18 months)
How Bobby’s mother dealt with social pressure to eat with others
Replaced cookies and ice cream with sherbet and lollipops
Kept away from parties so not conscious of being left out
The chronic nature of celiac disease
No one ‘grows out of’ being celiac
100% gluten-free diet for life
Nadine’s insight around what we knew about celiac disease in 1953
How do you cut through the noise and misinformation around gluten sensitivity and celiac disease in order to make the best choices for your health and happiness? By tapping into your intuition and asking WHY when the answers don’t feel right—and reaching out to the right people for support when you need it.
Today, the Gluten Free RN is sharing her Top 10 Musings and Truths for health and wellbeing, empowering you to be self-protective and surround yourself with the people who genuinely care enough to speak up for—and with you. She shares the value in setting goals for your physical and mental health and taking your power back from the people who may have victimized you in the past.
Nadine also encourages you to get educated and engage in critical thinking, questioning the information you are given and saying ‘no’ to anyone who suggests you eat gluten—even if they happen to be a doctor. Listen in to understand the idea that ‘you are your own experiment’ and learn to be the healthiest YOU you can be by committing to a 100% gluten-free diet!
What’sDiscussed:
Commit to being 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and ideally Paleo
Focus on diet change for first year so intestines can heal
Be self-protective
Lose people who aren’t supportive
Find your tribe
People who speak up for/with you, willing to change diet
Set goals for what you want your life to look like
Write down objectives to make real, move in that direction
Be powerful (even if you don’t feel it)
Speak up and take power back, don’t be victim
Get educated and educate others
African Americans & Celiac Disease EP072
Season 1 · Episode 72
Friday, June 8, 2018 • Duration 28:57
Much existing propaganda claims that African Americans do not suffer from celiac disease. Even the Gluten Free RN was surprised to find out that her adopted daughter had a genetic predisposition to the disease back in 2006, as research available at the time regarded the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes to be primarily Caucasian traits. And until we take steps to conduct a mass screening, we simply don’t know how common celiac disease is among people of African descent.
Today, the Gluten Free RN is exploring celiac disease in the African American population. She covers a 2006 study out of Columbia University that assessed African American celiac patients, discussing the variety of ways the subjects presented with celiac disease and the potential reasons for their poor compliance with the prescribed gluten-free diet.
Nadine also considers the prevalence of celiac disease on the continent of Africa, explaining why she believes the number of celiac patients will explode with the population’s growing exposure to wheat. Listen in for the Gluten Free RN’s insight on other health issues that may point to undiagnosed celiac disease and learn how we can prevent celiac disease among the African American population with access to testing, social support and gluten-free food!
Identified nine patients with biopsy-proven celiac disease
Presented with diarrhea, iron deficiency anemia and autoimmune disorders
Why patients in the Columbia study demonstrated poor dietary compliance
Expense, availability and palatability of gluten-free food
Lack of symptoms at diagnosis, inaccurate dietary information
Nadine’s prediction around the number of celiac patients in Africa
Increasing exposure to wheat will cause explosion
Celiac Disease & Why No One Should Have Belly Pain EP071
Season 1 · Episode 71
Friday, May 25, 2018 • Duration 20:03
Approximately 50% of ER visits are associated with abdominal pain, and the vast majority of those patients are given a diagnosis of ‘abdominal pain of an unknown origin’ and directed to come back if the condition gets worse. This is little comfort to people suffering from severe discomfort who need answers around the cause of their belly pain, not just medication to mask it temporarily. Could undiagnosed celiac disease be the source of their suffering?
Today, the Gluten Free RN is diving into the issue of belly pain and undiagnosed celiac disease, discussing the expensive testing often conducted to determine the cause of abdominal discomfort—testing that rarely includes a celiac panel. She covers several of the common misdiagnoses of celiac patients as well as the incredibly high prevalence of abdominal pain in children.
Nadine shares the case study of a child-patient who was misdiagnosed with appendicitis and the research published in Digestive and Liver Disease outlining the unnecessary surgical interventions endured by undiagnosed celiac patients. Listen in for the Gluten Free RN’s advice to patients with idiopathic abdominal discomfort and learn why no one should suffer from belly pain!
What’s Discussed:
The statistics around ER visits and abdominal pain
50% of visits associated with belly pain
The most common abdominal pain diagnoses
Abdominal pain of unknown ideology, idiopathic abdominal pain
How patients are treated for idiopathic abdominal pain
Medication, directive to return if condition gets worse
The testing to find the cause of chronic abdominal pain
Expensive blood workups, rarely include celiac panel
How many children suffer from belly pain
30% report abdominal discomfort
Nadine’s patient who received a misdiagnosis of appendicitis
Blood Disorders and Celiac Disease EP070
Season 1 · Episode 70
Friday, May 4, 2018 • Duration 21:55
If you are being treated for a blood disorder, it is time to look deeper and explore the underlying cause. Rather than simply addressing iron- or B12-deficiency anemia in isolation, ask WHY you have a deficiency in the first place. It is possible that damage to your intestines caused by gluten is preventing your body from absorbing the nutrients necessary to grow your red blood cells and keep your immune system healthy. And anemia is not the only blood disorder associated with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity!
The Gluten Free RN is taking a closer look at the hematologic manifestations of celiac disease from anemia to hyposplenism. She explains the connection between disorders of the blood and bones, offering insight around why men with both anemia and osteoporosis are also likely to have celiac disease.
Nadine discusses the danger in taking H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors for GERD long-term, describing how those medications decrease the gastric acid necessary for breaking down food. She also addresses what you can do to identify any nutritional deficiencies in your blood and reminds us why celiac patients have difficulty absorbing the nutrients necessary to form red blood cells. Listen in to understand how the skin reflects what’s happening internally and learn how to prevent a number of blood disorders with a gluten-free diet!
What’s Discussed:
The hematologic manifestations of celiac disease
Anemia secondary to malabsorption of iron, folate and vitamin B12
Hyposplenism, IgA deficiency and increased risk of lymphoma
Why iron supplements didn’t solve Nadine’s anemia
Couldn’t absorb supplements due to undiagnosed celiac disease
The connection between anemia, osteoporosis and celiac disease
B12 forms red blood cells made in long bones
The danger of taking H2 blockers and PPIs long-term
Resources:
Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Celiac Disease EP069
Season 1 · Episode 69
Friday, April 27, 2018 • Duration 31:11
Your gastrointestinal tract is approximately 30 feet long, and it runs from your mouth all the way to the anus! We know that celiac disease can impact any part of the digestive tract. But there is another disease that wreaks havoc on the GI tract as well, a condition called eosinophilic esophagitis or EoE.
The Gluten Free RN is explaining the fundamentals of eosinophilic esophagitis, from its characteristic inflammation of the esophagus and elevated eosinophils in the blood to the common symptoms of vomiting and upper abdominal pain. She walks us through the treatment for EoE, an elimination diet or steroid therapy.
Nadine speaks to the research exploring a possible connection between eosinophilic esophagitis and celiac disease, citing a paper that found a higher prevalence of EoE in children with celiac disease than the general population as well as the case study of a woman with both celiac disease and elevated eosinophils in her blood. Listen in for the Gluten Free RN’s insight on the best EoE clinics and physicians in the country and learn why further study is needed around EoE and celiac disease!
What’sDiscussed:
The fundamentals of eosinophilic esophagitis
Allergic response to dietary antigens
Causes inflammation of esophagus, increased eosinophils in blood
The benefits of unsedated transnasal endoscopy for children with EoE
Monitors esophageal mucosa without sedation
Safer, faster and less costly
Some common symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis
Vomiting, difficulty swallowing, food stuck in throat
Chest pain, heartburn, upper abdominal pain
The condition of achalasia
Muscles of esophagus don’t work appropriately
Causes spasms or constriction
The treatment for EoE
Why No Dairy on a Gluten-Free Diet? EP068
Season 1 · Episode 68
Friday, April 20, 2018 • Duration 21:55
If you’re just getting used to eliminating gluten from your diet, it may feel like a burden to remove dairy as well—especially if you’re a fan of comfort foods like cheese and ice cream. Why exactly do many practitioners recommend a gluten- AND dairy-free diet to patients diagnosed with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity?
The Gluten Free RN is walking us through the similarities between gliadin and casein, explaining how the proteins found in gluten, milk and cheese impact our brains. She discusses how Marsh 1 damage from celiac disease leads to an inability to break down the sugar in milk and why we crave the very foods that are making us sick.
Nadine shares the story of a young man with autism whose health improved once his family went gluten-free, describing the well-documented gut-brain connection and how the right high-fat diet can repair the neurological system. Listen in for the Gluten Free RN’s insight around dairy replacement options and get empowered to reclaim your health with a gluten- and diary-free diet!
What’s Discussed:
The similarities between the gluten and casein proteins
Molecularly very similar, bodies read as toxins
Both capable of crossing blood-brain barrier
How the casein protein impacts the brain
Causes inflammation, hypoxia (decrease flow of oxygen)
Brain fog, anxiety, depression, irritability and fatigue
The effect of Marsh 1 damage due to celiac disease
Microvilli damaged or destroyed
Can’t produce enzymes that break down sugar in milk
How gluten and casein proteins act as exorphins
Bind with opium receptors in brain
Crave foods that make us sick
Nadine’s recommendations for dairy replacements
Coconut, hemp, almond or hazelnut milk
and cheese options
Indigenous Populations, Celiac Disease and NCGS EP067
Season 1 · Episode 67
Friday, April 13, 2018 • Duration 25:15
‘Globally, indigenous peoples suffer from poorer health, are more likely to experience disability and reduced quality of life, and ultimately die younger than their non-indigenous counterparts.’
A UN Report on the health of indigenous peoples points to a significant problem, but the question is WHY? Why are native populations more prone to autoimmune disorders and type 1 diabetes? Why do they have a higher incidence of alcoholism and drug addiction? And why the lower life expectancy?
The Gluten Free RN is exploring the role of food in health outcomes for indigenous populations around the world. She begins with an explanation of the dietary differences between hunter-gatherer and agricultural societies, discussing how native populations were exposed to the gluten in grains only when European conquerors came to occupy their lands.
Nadine shares her challenge in finding information about indigenous populations and celiac disease, explaining why further study is necessary. She speaks to the highly processed nature of the commodity foods provided to Native Americans in the US and the shortcomings of Canada’s Food Guide when it comes to the health of First Nations people. Listen in and learn the significance of educating indigenous populations around celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, empowering those groups to make choices that will improve their health and quality of life!
What’sDiscussed:
The global indigenous population
370M in 70-plus countries
Rich diversity of cultures
The health status of indigenous populations
Higher incidence of autoimmune disorders, T1D
Higher prevalence of addictive disorders, cardiovascular disease
Lower life expectancy, increased morbidity/mortality
Why indigenous populations have more health issues
How to Easily Go Gluten-Free or Paleo EP066
Season 1 · Episode 66
Friday, April 6, 2018 • Duration 31:03
‘It’s too hard.’ ‘It’s too expensive.’ ‘It’s time-consuming.’ ‘My family won’t support me.’
There are lots of excuses why you can’t go gluten-free or Paleo, but the Gluten Free RN argues that if it’s hard, you’re doing it wrong. And today, she’s prepared to explain how to easily go gluten-free or Paleo and either maintain or regain your health.
Nadine begins with a discussion of the connection between food and pain or discomfort. She explains how the processed, non-food that most people consume causes damage that prevents us from absorbing the nutrients our bodies need. She offers insight around where to go for gluten-free, organic food and how to jump-start a gluten-free or Paleo diet.
The Gluten Free RN provides tips on taking control of your food choices, trying new foods, and gluten-free cooking—minus the cheap fillers. She also outlines a shopping list for nutrient-dense foods that will heal your leaky gut and feed your neurologic system. Listen in and learn the easy way to go gluten-free or Paleo and optimize your health!
What’sDiscussed:
The value in recognizing how you feel
Shouldn’t have pain, discomfort daily
Underlying cause traced back to food
Nadine’s response to excuses for not going gluten-free
No more expensive, must buy food anyway
Food is medicine, good choices can improve health
How to avoid non-food with empty calories
Stay away from soda, sugary coffees
Pass up highly processed and fast non-food
The difference between organic and conventional food
Roundup causes leaky gut, even in absence of celiac disease
Nadine’s suggestions around where to go for gluten-free food
Russia and Celiac Disease EP065
Season 1 · Episode 65
Friday, March 30, 2018 • Duration 18:50
As stories about Russia continue to dominate the news cycle, you are probably familiar with the recent sanctions against the country, Vladimir Putin’s reelection, and even the expulsion of Russian diplomats from the EU and US. But what do you know about celiac disease in Russia?
The Gluten Free RN is taking a closer look at the limited information about celiac disease in Russia, giving us an overview of the country’s size and population and the likely number of celiac cases based on the global tendency. She discusses the thriving wheat production industry in Russia as well as the gluten-containing traditional Russian diet.
Nadine walks us through a presentation created by Dr. Elena Roslavtseva at the Scientific Center for Children’s Health in Moscow, sharing how the diagnoses of celiac disease changed from the 1970’s through the 2000’s, the inconsistencies with testing for celiac disease around the nation, and the challenges of maintaining a gluten-free diet in Russia. Listen in as the Gluten Free RN covers the Journal of Immunology Research’s overview of celiac disease in Russia, explaining why the reported frequency probably doesn’t reflect the true prevalence and the necessity of a mass screening.
What’sDiscussed:
General information about the country of Russia
Population of 144.3M
Dual nation state, 185 ethnic groups
Largest country by land mass
Russia’s thriving wheat production industry
Very high, exported to Middle East and Africa
Ban on genetically modified wheat
The first diagnoses of celiac disease in Russia
Late 1970’s—1980’s
Cases of severe malabsorption
No gluten-free foods available
How celiac diagnoses changed in the 2000’s
Diagnosed more often, well-known in most regions
Research done in many universities, med centers
Go to conferences, read and do research
Don’t believe everything you hear, read or say
Get answers to questions, then question the answers (ask WHY)
Don’t eat gluten for anyone
Not for friends/family, doctors or research study
Be the healthiest YOU, you can be
Strive for MORE health, fun, good food and information
You are your own experiment
Reassess and apply new information as needs change, work with team
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