010 - Celiac Disease And Gluten Allergies, with Deb Wheaton

Deb Wheaton is president and co-owner of Gluten-Free Prairie. This is a woman-owned, family operated, certified gluten-free oat-based business in Manhattan, Montana. After Deb and her daughter Amy were officially diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2005, they started a journey towards healing from a disease that had caused devastating health issues. From the start that road has definitely not been easy. However, their new lifestyle is working for them. And their networking with doctors, different gluten-free focused organizations, and their outreach towards fellow sufferers has been very gratifying. This is Deb's story. 

 

PROGRAM NOTES:

00:00 - Introduction of podcast and Deb Wheaton. www.GlutenFreePrairie.com.  Telling about her journey of Celiac Disease diagnosis; and how she has started focusing on creating awareness. She received insights and support from professors at MSU (Montana State University).  How she learned a lot from when her daughter was diagnosed in 2005. Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease. 08:20 - Deb realized that she herself had the same symptoms for a long time. She got diagnosed as well. How did they have to adjust the kitchen in their house to make sure there were no more gluten contaminants.  Deb started having symptoms when she was 12(!). Things only got worse and have caused a lot of symptoms until she received her own official diagnosis. The mind-gut connection and the vagus nerve. 15:25 - When they discovered that her daughter was not crazy, on drugs, anorexic, or emotionally unstable, and the official diagnosis came through, their real journey to healing started. Celiac Disease was discovered in 1949 in France (the Banana Babies). Gluten-free products back then was very boring, seemingly undigestible. Then rice was introduced into breads. Fruits, vegetables, meats and fish are all gluten-free. Deb’s brain fog and migraines started to lift within three months. Deb’s Mom probably also had (undiagnosed) celiac disease; she died at age 62. Book: Celiac Disease: a Hidden Epidemic, by Peter H.R. Green, MD. Another researcher who has changed lives in the Celiac world is Alessio Fasano, MD. 22:27 - Jacobus met someone back in 1994/1995 who had celiac disease, as did her daughter and grandson. (Jean Powell). Some info about Jean. Symptoms associated with Celiac: multi symptom/multi-system disease: diarrhea, constipation, tooth enamel damage, anemia, attention deficit disorder, seizure disorder. Does brain fog lead to anxiety? Overlapping disorders recognized in Celiac Disease as well as in low-thyroid disorders. 34:48 - There are two genes directly linked to CD: Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) DQ2 and DQ8 (CD Gene Testing)(about $200.00 together). You need to have ONE of these TWO genes (blood test) in order to be officially diagnosed with Celiac: 95% of patients with CD have one or both of these genes. If you have symptoms but don’t have one of these two genes, find the cause of your disease somewhere else. Autoimmune diseases can be linked; and gluten can be a major factor.  Many CD sufferers are diagnosed after age 60. 42:00 - For every year you have suffered it will take roughly one month of actual healing. You will notice improvements quicker, but true healing will take much longer. If you are diagnosed with CD, you cannot get lazy regarding your diet.  People going to Italy (or other European nations) and they can eat the breads there. Why is that? United States wheat farmers are paid more for a higher gluten yield than European farmers. Many US gluten-free breads can contain other allergens, such as tapioca, xanthan gum, or guar gum. Create loft in your dough with (pharmaceutical grade) psyll