Dear Reader,
First, I’ve included my new recipe. After the recipe, read on for more information on how the gluten piece fits into healing autoimmunity.
I know, I know, everyone has heard the term ‘gluten-free’ by now. In fact, some are sick and tired of hearing it, annoyed at how fad-ridden modern health and nutrition has become.
But, this is one fad that has solidity.
Healing Autoimmunity is like solving a puzzle. Each piece matters, and the gluten piece is huge.
It’s not huge for everyone, and some lucky folk can enjoy gluten daily.
If you’re hoping to heal Hashimoto’s though, it’s definitely something to consider.
Research now shows that if you have autoimmunity, you also have a ‘leaky gut’, which is a common term for intestinal permeability.
The small intestine is an important organ, and when it becomes permeable – when it has small holes in it – bad things happen. Particles that are not supposed to escape into the bloodstream, now can.
Food that’s been too hard for your sensitive system to properly digest (if you have autoimmunity then you have a sensitive system) can actually poke holes in your intestinal wall. It forms a toxic sludge.
In Ayurveda we call this toxic sludge ‘ama’. Ama is essentially backed up food that’s clinging to the intestinal walls and irritating it.
Did you know that gluten is a protein? Yep, on a molecular level, it is a strong protein chain that is difficult for some people’s digestive system to break.
Proteins are not meant to be released from the small intestine until they are reduced to a single amino acid. If your intestinal wall is compromised, and you are a person who has a hard time breaking down gluten, protein chains that are NOT meant to enter the blood, have an escape route via the weak points created by the toxic backup of undigested food.
When the rogue gluten molecules enter the blood, the immune system kicks in, big time. The immune system is like ‘Get those intruders!’. This can show up as an allergic reaction, which is what happened to me in the form of hives.
But, there are other symptoms – like bloating, gas, a feeling of fatigue or heaviness & constipation – to name a few. As the situation worsens over time, more food particles begin escaping, and more allergies are formed, until you feel like you can’t eat anything without a reaction of some kind.
This scenario is also a recipe for auto-immunity. An overactive immune system can become confused, until bodily tissue, such as the thyroid gland, starts to be mistaken as an intruder, In fact, the protein chain that comprises the thyroid gland is identical to part of the sequence of the gluten protein. Bizarre, right? Regardless, it is a fact.
Part of The Rhythmic Lifestyle involves improving your digestive fire so the toxic sludge situation is alleviated and you can eat just about anything without a reaction or autoimmunity flare. You’ll discover a rhythm that works for your body.
I quit eating gluten completely 8 years ago. I was scared to do it, and I resisted. I’m partly Italian, and bread and pasta were some of my favorite foods. The emotion before I let go of gluten was huge!!
Thankfully, once I made the break and totally quit, it was surprisingly easy. The lightness I felt only weeks after quitting was so worth it. My stomach felt so much better.
Although the idea of quitting gluten was terrifying, once I understood the gluten/ leaky-gut/ allergy /auto-immune connection, a protective reaction kicked in. I had to protect myself! Health and wellness became my top priority.
When you are unwell, you suddenly realize how crucial well-being is – how tied to one’s quality of life.
I’d always been a person who lives life to the fullest. But with a broken down body, living well is impossible.
I now think of choosing not to eat gluten not as a sacrifice, but as a form of self-care.
If you’re struggling with the decision of whether or not to cut out the gluten, I get it. I’ve been there!
May I suggest eliminating it for one month and then reevaluating?
Please reach out if you’d like to talk about this process – everyone deserves support.
Wishing you good health,
Amanda Rose Baker
ablifestyleconsultant@ayeartotheal.com
Living Lighter 
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