Gluten Free RN

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Now displaying: April, 2017

The Potential Connection Between Parkinson’s and Celiac Disease EP021 0

Apr 28, 2017

A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is devastating, and the associated symptoms – difficulty walking, tremors, memory issues – are debilitating. But what if those symptoms aren’t necessarily indicative of Parkinson’s after all? What if a simple diet change could improve or even eliminate those symptoms?

Today Nadine explores anecdotal evidence suggesting that the symptoms of Parkinson’s and other demyelination syndromes might be actually be caused by celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. She argues that as Parkinson’s diagnoses become more and more common, it is imperative that we explore the potential connection between Parkinson’s and celiac disease.

Listen in to understand how gluten can affect the neurological system, why Parkinson’s patients should be tested for celiac disease, and how a gluten-free diet can heal neurological damage.

What’s Discussed:

Nadine’s Parkinson’s patient

Diagnosed with celiac disease as a child in the 1940’s
Recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s
Symptoms included difficulty walking, falling, stooped gait, masked appearance, tremors, memory issues and confusion
Discovered unintentional gluten exposure in the home
Moved to adult foster home to ensure gluten-free diet
Many symptoms went away
Working with neurologist to wean off Parkinson’s meds

Why patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s, ALS and MS should get test for celiac disease and gluten sensitivity

Every nerve in the body is insulated with myelin
Myelin is made of fat
Gluten prevents the absorption of fats
Parkinson’s, ALS and MS are all demyelination syndromes

The need for research regarding the potential connection between Parkinson’s and celiac disease

The University of Chicago asserts there is ‘no published evidence of a connection between Parkinson’s and celiac disease’
Nadine argues that enough anecdotal evidence exists to suggest that a connection should be investigated

Nadine’s recommendation for a comprehensive celiac lab test

Cyrex Labs tests for 25 of the gluten intolerant antibodies, including tTG-2, tTG-3 and tTG-6
Ask for a total IgA and IgG in addition to the Cyrex Array 3
Insurance should cover the tests
Can be ordered by any practitioner

Celiac diagnoses in patients over 60

30% of newly diagnosed celiac patients are over 60
Many have neurological issues
Neuropathy
Headaches
Migraines
Seizure disorders
Difficulty walking
Falling
Balance issues
MS
Nadine’s patients improve on a Paleo diet

The Stanford idiopathic familial narcolepsy study

Entire family diagnosed with narcolepsy
Found that family members had celiac disease
Adopting a gluten-free diet eliminated the narcolepsy
Family now runs organic farm

The increasing number of Parkinson’s diagnoses

More and more common
UK neurological expert routinely tests for celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity

How your body heals neurological damage in the absence of gluten

Heal intestines
Eliminate inflammation
Repair immune system
Replete nutrient deficiencies

Vitamin D

Cancer preventative
Level should be between 60-80
Indicator of all fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K)
‘Sunshine’ vitamin synthesized through skin
Must also be taken in dietarily
Little chance of overdosing on D3

What your nails can tell you about your health

Look for white spots, cracked nails, hangnails
May indicate lack of zinc, D3, or B vitamins

Dr. Terry Wahls’ MS misdiagnosis

Diagnosed with MS and required wheelchair
Healed with a gluten-free diet
Can ride her bike and walk without a cane

Nadine’s story

At 40, her symptoms suggested MS
Issues with clumsiness (falling, dragging feet, dropping things, difficulty with balance)
Problems went away on a gluten-free diet
Nutrient deficiencies were causing neurological issues

Celiac cerebellar ataxia

Caused by lesions on or inflammation of the brain
Results in inability to walk straight
Tissue can be healed on a gluten free diet

Apr 21, 2017

Forget everything you thought you knew about obesity.

68% of the population of the US is overweight, and we know that there are a number of health risks associated with the issue. But did you know that people are overweight because their bodies are actually starving?

Today the Gluten Free RN is challenging your assumptions about weight gain and celiac disease, revealing the surprising way your body compensates for malnourishment, the necessity of fat in nutrient absorption, and the healing power of a whole food gluten-free diet.

Listen and learn why more people are overweight when diagnosed with celiac disease than underweight, more have constipation than diarrhea, and more have neurological disorders than gastrointestinal issues. Nadine is prepared to shake up your idea of what it means to have celiac disease and offer guidance regarding the food we should be eating in order to heal, and lose – or gain – weight in the process!

What’s Discussed:

The classic symptoms of celiac disease

Used to be identified by weight loss and chronic diarrhea
We now know there are well over 300 signs and symptoms

The obesity epidemic in the US

68% of the population is overweight
Obesity increases morbidity and mortality
The majority of celiac patients are overweight

Why celiac patients are overweight

Damage to intestines prevents absorption of nutrients
Body is starving, so it compensates by storing fat as cheap energy

The health risks associated with obesity

The failings of fast food

Little to no nutritional value
‘Bad’ fat
Little use as energy

The whole food diet Nadine recommends for celiac and gluten sensitive patients

The rapid weight loss of overweight celiac patients once they adopt a gluten-free diet

Why wounds may not heal appropriately in celiac patients

Body is malnourished and cannot absorb nutrients
Nutrients are necessary to heal tissue

How to heal your body with food

Choose fermented foods
Regenerate villi in intestines
Build diverse microbiome

Nadine’s patient with tunneling wound in sacral area

Wound would not heal, required daily dressing changes
Patient was HLA-DQ2 gene carrier
Wound healed after 10 days on a gluten-free diet

How a gluten-free diet affects underweight celiac patients

Muscle and tissue build appropriately
Weight increases as nutrients are absorbed

The necessity of a high-fat diet for celiac patients

Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble
The brain is made of fat

‘Good’ fats that Nadine recommends incorporating into your diet

Listen in for the full list!!

Connect with Nadine:

Instagram

Facebook

Contact via Email

Books by Nadine:

Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

Download this Episode

Legal Issues Surrounding Celiac Disease EP019 1

Apr 14, 2017

In Italy, it takes only two to three weeks to get diagnosed with celiac disease. In the United States, however, it typically takes nine to 15 years. Why is there such a huge discrepancy? And what are the legal ramifications for practitioners who overlook celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, causing patients unnecessary pain and suffering?

On this episode, Nadine explores the legal issues surrounding celiac disease as well as the potential reasons for delayed diagnosis in the US. She also explains the differences between universal healthcare and the for-profit system and how each appears to influence celiac diagnosis.

Listen and learn what medical practitioners need to know about celiac disease and gluten sensitivity in order to avoid being sued for malpractice, the value of standardization in celiac testing and follow-up care, and how you can get involved in advocating for universal coverage.

What’s Discussed:

How the US health insurance system works

Usually purchased through employer
Loss of job often means loss of coverage
ACA provides coverage for many who were uninsured
For-profit system

Why Nadine is an advocate for a single-payer system

People treated in ER with or without insurance (we pay regardless)
US healthcare is very expensive, yet outcomes poor

Celiac disease diagnoses around the world

Italy: 2-3 weeks; standardized follow-up care
US: 9-15 years; patients endure numerous other tests, misdiagnoses, unnecessary medications
Canada: effective early diagnosis, but follow-up care lacking

The excuses practitioners use to avoid diagnosing celiac disease

Don’t believe in it, despite research and documentation
Don’t want to learn about another illness
Gluten-free diet is too difficult for patients

Symptoms Nadine encountered as an ER nurse that may have signaled celiac disease

Migraine headaches
Abdominal pain
Neurological disorders (headaches, difficulty with balance)
Fever

Why practitioners should be concerned about malpractice suits if celiac disease goes undiagnosed

Ignorance is not a defense
Michael Marsh contends that failure to do appropriate screening signals liability
Avoid by learning the basics of celiac disease, how to diagnose and follow-up

Why celiac disease needs to be part of differential diagnosis for every patient

Indicators of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity

HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 gene denotes predisposition for celiac proper
AGA antibody suggests gluten sensitivity

Maladies suffered by patients whose celiac disease went undiagnosed

Mental health issues
Neurological disorders
Seizures
Balance issues
Abdominal pain
Incorrect diagnosis of Crohn’s or colitis
Hemorrhoids
GERD
High blood pressure
Heart attack
Stroke
Cancer

Why standardization of testing and follow-up care is a necessity

Screenings are often misinterpreted
Celiac patients who follow a gluten-free diet are often told that they have been cured or that the initial test was a false positive when follow-up shows antibodies in normal range

The story of Nadine’s 70-year-old celiac patient

Diagnosed with celiac disease by biopsy, but received no follow-up care
Suffered from significant neurological issues (e.g.: gluten ataxia, falling)
Nadine recommended standard lab tests
Primary care doctor refused
Patient returned to Nadine in distress
Doctor culpable for patient’s neurological damage

Why celiac patients should consider advocating for universal coverage

The differences between celiac diagnoses under universal vs. for-profit insurance systems

Financial benefit to early diagnosis under universal system (i.e.: UK, Canada, Italy)
No benefit to early diagnosis for insurers under for-profit structure

Resources Mentioned:

Physicians for a National Health Program

Health Care for All Oregon

Mid-Valley Health Care Advocates

Additional Resources:

“Economic Benefits of Increased Diagnosis of Celiac Disease in a National Managed Care Population in the United States” from the Journal of Insurance Medicine

Connect with Nadine:

Instagram

Facebook

Contact via Email

Books by Nadine:

Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism

Download this Episode

Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity in Down, Turner and Williams Syndrome EP018 0

Apr 7, 2017

The medical community has an obligation to protect vulnerable populations, speaking up for any group that may not be able to advocate for themselves, and patients with Down, Turner, and Williams syndrome certainly fall into this category. Yet one facet of their health – one that could vastly improve quality of life – often goes overlooked.

There is a high prevalence of celiac disease among individuals with Down, Turner, and Williams syndrome, and it is recommended that these patients get tested annually. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms of celiac disease are attributed to the syndrome instead, and gluten sensitivity goes undiagnosed.

Today Nadine shares several case studies as well as her own experience working with patients with developmental delays. She covers the high incidence of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity in Down, Turner, and Williams syndrome patients, the signs and symptoms of gluten damage, and the importance of annual screening in this population.

What’s Discussed:

The prevalence of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity in individuals with Down, Tuner and Williams syndrome

Annual testing is recommended
Signs and symptoms can be eliminated with a gluten-free diet

Tiffany’s story

Williams syndrome patient
Suffered from stage 4 liver failure and diabetes
Endured cracked, bleeding skin and fluid in the abdomen
Tested positive for celiac disease
Gluten-free diet resolved most of her symptoms

Alternatives to the standard blood test that could reveal non-celiac gluten sensitivity in Down syndrome patients

The anti-gliadin antibody (AGA) is an excellent biomarker
In a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, 41% of Down syndrome patients had AGA antibodies

The importance of testing family members