Gluten Encephalopathy with Psychiatric Onset

"In a significant proportion of cases (10-15%) gluten intolerance can be associated with central or peripheral nervous system and psychiatric disorders."

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Another Gluten Free Beer Option

Sprecher's gluten free Shakparo Ale is a West African Shakparo-style beer brewed from sorghum and millet. An unfiltered, light, crisp ale with a cider or fruit profile and a dry vinous aftertaste, it is best characterized as an easy-drinking or session beer perfect for summer gatherings.

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Celiac/Autoimmune Thyroid Connection

"Some practitioners theorize that celiac disease may be triggered after infection by a type of virus that biologically resembles the proteins in gluten. After the infection, the body cannot distinguish between the invading virus and the gluten protein, and subsequently, the body reacts allergically."

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Frittata Nirvana!

Frittata with Asiago cheese, nitrate-free organic pork bratwurst, broccoli, and roasted garlic olive oil.

Was JFK suffering from Gluten Intolerance?

"John F. Kennedy was diagnosed with Addison’s, but also may have suffered from celiac disease and had documented symptoms that seem to suggest this diagnosis. His health improved dramatically when he became president and began receiving better treatment for these conditions. Kennedy was in the best physical shape of his life when he was assassinated."

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Another great dinner idea...

Pork chops with apricot glazed (gluten free) bread crumbs, served with green beans and almonds... along with pesto rice!!

Worst invention ever?

A group of inventors has come up with a way to preserve the shelf life of produce by coating with a very thin layer of wheat gluten:

"if such film is applied on fresh horticulture produces, they not only extend the shelf-life by virtue of excellent barrier properties but also give choice and statutory right to consumer to eat edible film as such or removed simply by washing"

Yep, you can just wash it off... I am sure there would be no residue of gluten left on my apple... right?

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Death in a can...

Fried wheat gluten with peanut and hot peppers... can anyone say inflammation!

Lectin free dietary guidlines...

Lectins are a class of proteins that are specific to certain sugar binding sites in the body, namely the lungs, mucous membranes, and the digestive tract. Most people are familiar with Ricin, which has been in the news recently for its role and use as a weapon bioterrorism. Ricin is simply a very potent lectin.

But lectins are found in many common foods, with less potency than Ricin, but with destructive effects on the tissues of the body. Lectins are produced by plants as a protective mechanism against pest such as insects, or microbial infestation. For example, Raw black beans contain enough lectins to kill rats in a week.

Lectin toxins in food are found in:

• Grains containing gluten, especially wheat and wheat germ, oats, rye, barley.
• Legumes (all dried beans, including soy and PEANUTS and the products made from them)
• Plants in the Nightshade family, including potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers.

Some dairy is suspected to contain lectins, but only if cows were fed grains instead of grass. If you drink alot of milk, try and purchase organic milk/cheese/etc from free ranging, grass fed cattle.

My recommendation for people wishing to avoid lectins would be to COMPLETELY eliminate grains containing gluten (wheat, barley, and rye), peanuts, soybeans, and nightshades (peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, and potatoes) for at least 2 weeks, and see if you notice any changes in your symptoms.

Also, if you can find a local health food grocery, see if they can order some Bladderwrack capsules for you. Bladderwrack is a type of seaweed that contains a chemical that binds to lectins before they can do any damage to your body. You can also order it online through Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/ov9b7z

Some good substitues: exchange rice and corn for glutenous grains. Exchange sweet potatoes and yams for white potatoes. Exchange cashew or almond butter for peanut butter. Eat plain grilled meats, without spicy addditions. Try thai restaurants for pad thai with no peanuts, or sushi, or a hambuger with no fries, but a salad instead. And if you drink alcohol, try white wine or good tequila instead of beer or other liquors.

I know this sounds difficult, but you will experience improvement in your symptoms.

Here's to living lectin free!!
-David

Closer to a Unified Theory

"Genetic predisposition, miscommunication between innate and adaptive immunity, exposure to environmental triggers, and loss of the intestinal barrier function secondary to dysfunction of intercellular tight junctions, seem to all be key ingredients involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. This new theory implies that, once the autoimmune process is activated, it is not self-perpetuating; rather, it can be modulated or even reversed by preventing the continuous interplay between genes and environment."

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