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
Review of Colombia University Celiac Disease Conference 2018 EP064
Season 1 · Episode 64
Friday, March 23, 2018 • Duration 27:04
When faced with new information, it’s important to consider the source. Stop for a moment and examine whether the material is coming from someone with YOUR best interests at heart. The Gluten Free RN has just returned from the Colombia University Celiac Disease Conference, and she is breaking down the information presented to determine what’s useful—and what might be tainted by the pharmaceutical or food industry agenda.
Nadine begins with a workshop led by General Mills that offered some questionable information about how grains are processed at their factories and a talk led by University of Chicago faculty on the topic of a gluten challenge. She also speaks to the differences between celiac management in the US and countries with universal healthcare like Italy and Australia.
Nadine covers new testing that detects gluten exposure in stool or urine and what that reveals about the systemic nature of gluten damage as well as her take on practitioners who perpetuate the myth that grains are necessary and nutritious. Listen in for the Gluten Free RN’s insight around pharmaceutical treatments for celiac disease and the danger in volunteering for studies backed by drug companies.
What’sDiscussed:
The two programs available at Colombia’s 2018 conference
Clinical (nurses, RDs and laypeople)
International (doctors, scientists, industry and VC)
How celiac disease is managed in Italy
Presentation by Dr. Carolina Ciacci
Law mandates gluten-free options
Nadine’s frustration with the General Mills presentation
Major sponsor of conference
Claim to separate grains at factory
Nadine’s take on gluten-free Cheerios
Should be avoided, not truly gluten-free
Nadine’s confusion around Dr. Bana Jabri’s comments
Poland and Celiac Disease EP063
Season 1 · Episode 63
Friday, March 9, 2018 • Duration 23:15
To pierogi or not to pierogi…
If you have celiac disease, there is no question that you should avoid anything made with flour or grains, no matter how delicious the dish may be. Although the Gluten Free RN has fond memories of her Polish grandmothers making traditional pastries, she contends that you don’t have to eat customary Polish food to celebrate your Polish heritage.
In preparation for her upcoming trip to Warsaw in July, Nadine is taking a closer look at celiac disease in Poland. She discusses a 2009 study assessing the prevalence of celiac disease in Polish children, highlighting the asymptomatic and oligosymptomatic nature of the disease and explaining her own false negative test. Listen in for the Gluten Free RN’s insight around preparing for a trip to Poland, including research on the available gluten-free food and adult beverages!
What’sDiscussed:
Why Nadine is concerned about her upcoming trip to Poland
Flour, grains used in cooking and baking
Nadine’s Polish heritage
Fond memories of grandmothers making pierogi, pastries
Assessed prevalence in children, only screened for IgA EmA, IgG EmA
3,235 children in Bydgoszcz tested, 25 identified (seven with Marsh III)
Predominantly asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic
Nadine’s genetic predisposition for celiac disease
HLA-DQ2.5 homozygous
How Nadine is preparing for travel in Poland
Aware of Polish translations for gluten-free, celiac (bezglutenowe, trzewny)
Take ‘rescue food’ for emergencies
The prevalence of celiac disease in Poland
The Irish and Celiac Disease EP062
Season 1 · Episode 62
Friday, March 2, 2018 • Duration 26:32
The Irish are known for being lucky… But does that luck hold out when it comes to celiac disease?
The prevalence of celiac disease among the Iris is 1:100, about the same as the rest of the world. And if you are a redhead of Irish descent, there is a good chance that you are an HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 gene carrier.
Today, the Gluten Free RN explores Irish ancestry and celiac disease, discussing how the Potato Famine led to a change in diet for much of the surviving population. She walks us through a paper published by Irish College of General Practitioners explaining the clinical presentations and complications of celiac disease.
Nadine shares her experience running the Dublin marathon and the health consequences she suffered after touring the Guinness brewery. Listen in to understand the work of the Coeliac Society of Ireland and learn about the trends in celiac disease among the Irish.
What’sDiscussed:
Why red hair is associated with celiac disease
Tend to be HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8 gene carriers
The prevalence of celiac disease in Irish Setters
Do much better on a gluten-free/Paleo diet
The Irish Potato Famine
Potato-based diet, little access to grains
Famine from 1845-1849
One million died, many emigrated
The myth that celiac disease is more prevalent in Europe than the US
30-50% of the population carries HLA-DQ2, HLA-DQ8 gene
The myth that women are more susceptible to celiac disease
Statistics don’t support this belief
The Irish College of General Practitioners paper on celiac disease
The US Military and Celiac Disease EP061
Season 1 · Episode 61
Friday, February 23, 2018 • Duration 24:50
It goes without saying that anyone who serves in the military needs to be healthy and strong—and that military leaders have an obligation to keep enlisted servicemen and women as safe and healthy as possible. So, it makes sense that people with food allergies (including celiac patients) are disqualified from military service, but it is less clear why celiac testing is not a part of the medical exam to qualify for enlistment.
Today, the Gluten Free RN addresses the issue of celiac disease in the military. She explains the challenges of preparing gluten-free food in a mess hall setting and describes the consequences for an active duty soldier who is found to have celiac disease.
Nadine shares a research study exploring celiac trends among active duty military as well as a case study around veterans and celiac disease. Listen in for insight on what’s behind the increased prevalence of celiac disease among military personnel and the confirmed association between celiac disease and other complex health issues.
What’sDiscussed:
Why celiac patients are disqualified from enlisting in any branch of service
Unable to provide safe food
What happens to military personnel who are found to have celiac disease
Will receive medical discharge
The US military policy around food allergies and intolerances
No accommodations made
Countries that allow celiac patients to serve
Israel, Finland and Scandinavia
The Mayo Clinic study of celiac trends among active duty military
Healthy worker population with medical diagnostic coding
Incidence of celiac disease increased five-fold from 1999-2008
Combination of increased suspicion and environmental factors
The challenge of preparing gluten-free food in a military setting
Hepatitis B Vaccine and Celiac Disease EP060
Season 1 · Episode 60
Friday, February 9, 2018 • Duration 17:15
We get vaccinated to protect ourselves, to gain an immunity to a particular disease. But in the case of hepatitis B, celiac patients may come to find out that we are NOT immune—despite having done the right thing in getting a hepatitis B vaccination.
Today, the Gluten Free RN is walking us through the latest research around vaccination and celiac disease. She explores the fact that celiac patients are more likely to be non-responsive to HBV than the general population, explaining the fundamentals of hepatitis B and the two main theories as to why the vaccine doesn’t work for some celiac patients.
Nadine shares her take on immunizations, explaining why she is a proponent of an alternate vaccination schedule for infants who may be immunocompromised. Listen in and learn how to determine whether you are truly immune to hepatitis B and protect yourself from potentially life-threatening disease!
What’sDiscussed:
The basics of hepatitis B (HBV)
Viral infection that attacks liver
Transmitted through blood, body fluids
The prevalence of hepatitis B
257M people infected
887K deaths in 2015
The 2013 Italian study around celiac disease and the hepatitis B vaccine
Number of non-responders to vaccine higher in CD patients
May be genetic OR caused by gluten intake during vaccination
Nadine’s experience with vaccination as a child
Contracted mumps despite MMR
Nadine’s take on vaccination
Advocates for immunization to prevent disease
Giving babies multiple vaccines at once may not be best
The conclusion of a 2017 Italian study
Hypothyroid, Pulmonary Edema and Celiac Disease EP059
Season 1 · Episode 59
Friday, February 2, 2018 • Duration 19:59
When the Gluten Free RN went on a gluten-free diet 11 years ago, her thyroid settled down and the associated symptoms and disorders—Graves’ disease, weight gain and hair loss—resolved.
But when Nadine was inadvertently hit with gluten two years ago, several of those symptoms returned, along with a few new ones. She was losing hair and gaining water weight again. On top of that, her sinuses were congested. She developed asthma, a rash on her lower right leg and a scary case of pulmonary edema (excess fluid in the lungs).
Hindsight being 20/20, Nadine realizes that her recent diagnosis of hypothyroidism is associated with that accidental gluten ingestion. Further study made it clear that there is a potential connection between her thyroid problems and pulmonary edema, as the leaky gut that comes with celiac disease can cause fluid shifts into body tissues.
Today the Gluten Free RN explores the links among celiac disease, thyroid disorders and pulmonary edema. She explains the function of the endocrine system, the symptoms associated with hypothyroidism, and the diet she recommends for patients with thyroid issues. Listen in for Nadine’s insight around how gluten affects the thyroid gland and why the resulting low sodium levels might trigger edema in celiac patients.
What’sDiscussed:
The function of the endocrine system
Glands in body that make hormones
The connection between celiac disease and thyroid disorders
Thyroid especially vulnerable to gluten protein in wheat, barley, rye and oats
Nadine’s symptoms of hypothyroidism
Lower extremity edema
Congested sinuses
Hair falling out
Pulmonary edema
Asthma
Rash on leg
How damp rash lotion resolved Nadine’s symptoms
Mental Health Disorders and Celiac Disease EP058
Season 1 · Episode 58
Friday, January 26, 2018 • Duration 19:00
An estimated 50% of Americans are on some type of psychotropic drug. Half of the US population!
What is causing such widespread prevalence of mental health disorders? Prescription anti-depressants and sedatives don’t solve the underlying problem… So how do we get to the bottom of this?
The Gluten Free RN contends that there may be a connection between mental health and undiagnosed celiac disease. Today she explains how several disorders (anxiety, depression and paranoia, among others) have been linked to gluten, discussing how a leaky blood-brain barrier can lead to hypoxia, an inflammation of the brain.
Nadine walks us through the best research in mental health disorders and gluten sensitivity, sharing two landmark studies that emphasize the gut/brain connection and characterize celiac disease as primarily a neurological disorder. Nadine offers her insight around working with schizophrenic patients and the increasing number of children suffering from anxiety. Listen in to understand how gluten impacts your mental health, and learn how to eliminate brain fog, get off prescription meds, and enjoy a higher quality of life!
What’sDiscussed:
The connection between gluten and hypoxia
Leaky blood-brain barrier leads to inflammation of brain, decreased oxygen flow
The shocking statistics around Americans and psychotropic drugs
Estimated 50% of US population on psychotropic medication
The potential relationship between mental health disorders and undiagnosed celiac disease
High instance of depression, anxiety, fatigue and paranoia
May have difficulty sleeping, headaches or seizure disorder
Nearly all experience brain fog
The health consequences of undiagnosed celiac disease
Malabsorption of nutrients
Damaged immune system
My Health and Lessons for You EP057
Season 1 · Episode 57
Friday, January 19, 2018 • Duration 22:42
Two and a half years ago, Nadine was inadvertently hit with gluten—three times in a row. In the past, it had taken about ten weeks for her symptoms to resolve after an accidental exposure, but this time they stuck around. It started with feeling cold. Then she began experiencing abdominal distention and pain. Her dermatitis herpetiformis returned, she was plagued with sinus congestion, and she was gaining weight. Most concerning of all, she developed pulmonary edema, a condition caused by excess fluid in the lungs.
Today, the Gluten Free RN is getting real, revealing the health struggles she has been dealing with since 2015. She explains the circumstances that led to her accidental gluten exposure and recounts the ten scary nights she spent in a recliner, forced to sit up in order to breathe.
Nadine takes us along on her global search for the answers that began with a practitioner in Thailand and a tiny container of damp rash lotion, and ended with a diagnosis of myxedema from a naturopath here in the States. Nadine discusses how those three consecutive hits of gluten targeted her thyroid gland and how T3 is working to resolve her symptoms. Listen in and learn how the Gluten Free RN is reclaiming her Superwoman status and how you, too, can reach your full potential with good health and wellbeing!
What’sDiscussed:
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Physiological, safety needs must be taken care of first
Difficult to achieve self-actualization with poor health
Nadine’s health struggle the past 30 months
Inadvertently hit with gluten three times in a row
Symptoms persisted past usual ten weeks
Sinus congestion, DH, pulmonary edema and weight gain
Nadine’s search for the underlying cause
Saw practitioner in Chiang Mai, damp rash lotion resolved symptoms
Naturopath in Oregon diagnosed myxedema (hypothyroidism)
How Nadine is reclaiming her health
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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