Few things are as painful as losing a loved one to an overdose. Addiction is such a powerful demon, and most of us have friends or family who are facing it right now. It is easy to feel helpless, believing that there is little you can do to ease their pain. But what if a diet change could resolve the physical and psychological pain at the root of the dependency? You might be surprised to learn that gluten binds with the opioid receptors in the brain, functioning as a ‘gateway drug’ to other addictions.
Today the Gluten Free RN shares her experiences with addiction and overdose during her 17-year career in the ER, explaining how she made the connection between undiagnosed celiac disease and addiction issues. She discusses the US opioid epidemic and how a mass screening for celiac disease could prevent such widespread substance abuse. Listen as she describes the morphine-like effects of gluten on your brain, the role of the microbiome in dictating cravings, and why gluten may be at the root of the pain that leads patients to self-medicate with dangerous recreational drugs.
The sad truth is that 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. Because undiagnosed celiac disease goes hand in hand with addiction, is it past time to get our loved ones tested. Suggest it today -- it could save a life.
The recent flood of headlines regarding the US opioid epidemic
How exorphins affect the brain
How Narcan reverses a heroin overdose
The potential connection between gluten and opioid addiction
The morphine-like effects of gluten and dairy on your brain
The substances patients abuse to treat pain
The symptoms of pain patients may experience due to gluten
The data around opioid overdose in the US
How gluten sensitivity may lead to pain med addiction
Common prescription meds for pain
Why patients turn to heroin for pain relief
How food can act as a ‘gateway drug’ to other addictions
Why Nadine advocates a mass screening for celiac disease
How ER departments treat alcoholics
The power of the microbiome
The mental health issues caused by untreated celiac disease that may lead patients to self-medicate
“Here’s How a Key Part of the Opioid Legislation is Not Working” in the Boston Globe
“Malabsorption of Opioid Medications” in Practical Pain Management
‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube
Melodies of the Danube Gluten-Free Cruise with Nadine
Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism
There are a number of misconceptions about celiac disease, even within the medical community! Despite a growing body of research to the contrary, many practitioners still believe celiac disease to be strictly a gastrointestinal issue with a just a few tell-tale symptoms. It’s time to get the facts, and today the Gluten Free RN shares 21 important truths about celiac disease that you need to know.
Nadine shares her take on the list compiled by Gluten Free Works, covering the truth about who is at risk, the wide variety of neurological symptoms a celiac patient might present, and the components of an optimal treatment plan. As the most common genetic autoimmune disease in the world, it is incredibly important that we understand how gluten exposure can damage the intestines and cause debilitating nutrient deficiencies.
Nadine also explains why celiac disease often goes undiagnosed and how an astute practitioner is able to accurately interpret biopsies, antibody screenings and lab work. Get familiar with these 21 important facts about celiac disease, and become your own advocate!
Recognizing Celiac Disease: Signs, Symptoms, Associated Disorders and Complications by Cleo J. Libonati
21 Important Celiac Disease Facts You Need to Know…
‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube
Melodies of the Danube Gluten-Free Cruise with Nadine
Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism
You don’t have to prove to anyone that you have celiac disease proper. Because food functions as both medicine and poison, it is important to have all the facts before you get talked into a gluten challenge … and the fact is, going back on gluten after you have adopted a gluten-free diet will cause organ damage.
The Gluten Free RN speaks to the motivation behind doing a gluten challenge, the consequences for celiac and gluten sensitive patients, and her work as a patient advocate to discourage people from being talked into a gluten challenge. She offers a detailed risk versus reward analysis of braving a gluten challenge, explaining how the maintenance of a gluten-free diet prevents the development of celiac disease and other autoimmune disorders.
Nadine also covers the unreliable nature of celiac testing in the US, where the medical community lacks savvy in interpreting results, and explains why biopsy results are no longer considered the gold standard of celiac testing. Listen in to understand the recommended diet for those who have adopted a gluten-free lifestyle and why it requires a long-term commitment. Get armed with information and protect yourself and your family from the dangerous, irreversible consequences of a gluten challenge!
The gluten free lifestyle
Why you should be cautious of restaurants with a gluten-free menu
The advantages of living in the Northwest US
Nadine’s recommendations re: food options
The misguided reason why people do a gluten challenge
The value of a gluten-free diet in preventative medicine
What it means to do a gluten challenge
The consequences of a gluten challenge on celiac and gluten sensitive patients
The risks vs. rewards of enduring a gluten challenge
Why Nadine would never do a gluten challenge
Why biopsy results are no longer considered the gold standard of celiac testing
Why an antibody panel can be unreliable in identifying celiac disease
How long it takes to obtain celiac diagnosis
Nadine’s advice around celiac testing
The enduring nature of celiac disease
Nadine’s nutrition guidelines for celiac patients
Nadine’s work as a patient advocate
‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube
Melodies of the Danube Gluten-Free Cruise with Nadine
Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism
Celiac disease is grossly underdiagnosed in the United States in large part because the medical community is operating on outdated information about the condition. And despite the recommendations of the National Institute of Health back in 2004, we have yet to implement a mass screening for celiac disease, and health care providers remain alarmingly uninformed.
The Gluten Free RN is taking steps to remedy the situation by sharing the basics for medical professionals. Today she covers the WHO’s definition of celiac disease, how our understanding of the condition has change over time, and some common misconceptions about celiac disease. She also explains the top symptoms, recommended testing for celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, and the neurological nature of the disorder.
Listen in to learn what health care providers need to know about this undiagnosed epidemic, the complex web of health issues that may result from undiagnosed celiac disease, and why it is important to have a high index of suspicion and include celiac testing on every differential diagnosis. Help your patients go gluten-free and collect something other than autoimmune disorders!
The standard of care in the US
The goals of Nadine’s consulting business
How the media portrays the gluten-free lifestyle
How our understanding of celiac disease has changed over time
The recommendations of the 2004 NIH consensus meeting regarding celiac disease
The World Health Organization criteria for mass screening
The autoimmune disorders associated with undiagnosed celiac disease
The WHO definition of celiac disease
Why celiac disease can’t be ruled out with a single test
Misconceptions about celiac disease in the US medical community
How skin issues are a reflection of what is going on internally
How damage to the small intestine leads to multiple health issues
The classic symptoms of celiac disease
What celiac disease looks like in children
The prevalence of celiac disease in older adults
Potential signs of celiac disease in the aging population
The elements that get into your blood stream as a result of villous atrophy
Top symptoms of celiac disease
The effects of gluten on the brain
Populations affected by celiac disease
The findings of an economic study by Columbia University
The importance of ensuring that medications are gluten-free
Nadine’s recommendations around nutrition for celiac patients
Things to consider re: the results of a celiac panel
Additional tests that offer valuable information
Surprising facts around celiac disease contrary to conventional wisdom
“Where Have All the American Celiacs Gone?” in Acta Pediatrica
CDC 2013 Report Antibiotic Resistance Threats
‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube
Melodies of the Danube Gluten-Free Cruise with Nadine
Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism