Wheat Allergy vs. Gluten Allergy

I sometimes use the two terms interchangeably when explaining it: “My roommate has a gluten allergy — he’s allergic to wheat.” But the two really aren’t the same thing. If you have a gluten allergy (also known as celiac disease), the cause of the problem is a mixture of protein fragments in wheat and other common cereal grains like rye, oats, and barley. Different kinds of wheat, like semolina and spelt, are all unsafe. If gluten is your problem, you’ll have to eat other grains, like corn, rice, millet, sorghum, and quinoa. If you have a wheat allergy, the cause … Continue reading

A Gluten-Free Diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis

You might not think about a gluten-free diet unless you have celiac disease (gluten allergy). Swedish researchers want you to think again — especially if you have rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. A recent study from Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden looked at diet in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers divided rheumatoid arthritis sufferers into two groups: one group ate a vegan and gluten-free diet (vegetables, fruits, nuts, no wheat proteins, and no animal products like meat, cheese, or eggs); one … Continue reading

Is Pasta Really Healthy?

This Sunday more than 35,000 runners will take to the streets of the Big Apple for the 2007 New York City Marathon. Prior to making their way along the 26.2-mile route runners have the opportunity to participate in the traditional night-before pasta dinner. Carb loading before a big race is part of the training process. At least it was for me. I pigged out on pasta before I ran the Chicago Marathon. I gorged on ziti at the Olive Garden before I ran the Madison Marathon and I had two plates of spaghetti plus four pieces of garlic bread the … Continue reading

Could You Be Suffering From Celiac Disease And Not Know It?

Did you know that October is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month? Studies show that an estimated 1 out of 100 Americans suffers from the disease and many don’t even know it. I first learned about the disease from Aimee’s blog earlier this year and just a couple of weeks ago I met a woman who shared a startling celiac disease-related story with me. She said her doctor believes her recent miscarriage may have been caused by undiagnosed celiac disease. Isn’t that frightening? For those of you who are unfamiliar with the disease, celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages … Continue reading