Presentaonby:Chris(naL.Graves - Autoimmune Patient · GlutenSensivity$ andNarcolepsy Nostudieshaveresearcheda linkbetween$gluten$sensiEvity$ andnarcolepsy $ Afew$people$with$narcolepsy$have$anecdotally$reported$symptom$

The Gluten Free Diet Resources for PWN

Presenta(on by: Chris(na L. Graves

Image: Asher Roth Asleep in the Bread Aisle album cover

What is Gluten?

Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye and all foods made with them – Wheat flour, cookies, pizza, bread, beer, macaroni and cheese

Sadly, these are many of our favorite foods!


Celiac Disease and Non-‐Celiac Gluten Intolerance

•  Celiac disease is an immune reac(on to gluten, which causes intes(nal symptoms – autoimmune disease – affects about 1:100 people Can be diagnosed with an intesEnal biopsy and blood tests


Celiac Disease and Non-‐Celiac Gluten Intolerance

•  Non-‐celiac gluten intolerance is a recently recognized condiEon, and is a dis(nct disease (Sapone et al. 2012) –  It is es(mated to affect as many as 1:10 people

•  It oMen has extra-‐intes*nal effects, many of which are neurological

There are currently no blood tests or biopsies which can be performed to diagnose non-‐celiac gluten intolerance.

The only way to determine if you are gluten intolerance

is to undergo an “eliminaEon diet.”


Symptoms of Non-‐Celiac Gluten Intolerance

Diarrhea

Headache

skin rashes

BloaEng and cramping

Acid reflux and heartburn

Sleep disturbances

Brain fog consEpaEon

Joint pain FaEgue

Anemia

Depression

Anxiety Flatulence

Migraine

(Similar to celiac disease!)

IBS


Before you try a gluten free diet:

If you have symptoms of gluten intolerance, it is important to visit your doctor to rule out

celiac disease


Safe foods

Meat, pork, fish, seafood, hamburger (no bun)

Any fruits and vegetables you want!

Gluten free baking mixes and flours (Udis, Bob’s Red Mill)

Eggs and dairy are safe!


The 3-‐week EliminaEon Diet

At least 3 weeks of a strict gluten free diet is necessary to determine if you have gluten intolerance A[er that, you will noEce a difference!

Gluten is extremely s*cky and literally sEcks to the lining of your intesEne (that’s why it makes good bread!)

If you accidentally eat gluten, or “cheat” you MUST start the 3 week Emer over from Day 1!

If this happens, don’t despair. EaEng gluten free is a difficult adjustment in the beginning, but over Eme it becomes second nature!


How to do it?

1.   Read labels! This is the most important step. Many products clearly state whether it contains wheat. In the beginning, try to avoid foods that are also “manufactured in facili(es with wheat.” S(ck with unprocessed foods or foods that have a “gluten free” label un(l you get the hang of it.

2.   EaEng out is dangerous! There are few truly safe op(ons when ea(ng out. Try to avoid it during the first three weeks. If you must eat out, s(ck with unseasoned meats and vegetables, and ask for a gluten free menu.

3.   Don’t just take the bun off. Some people try to just take the bun off of an otherwise gluten-‐free burger. DON’T DO THIS! If it touched it, it’s covered in invisible gluten!

4.   Get a new dish sponge. Gluten can hide in your kitchen in sneaky places. Avoid cooking in muffin (ns, bread pans, or cast iron cookware. Get new sponges. Be par(cularly careful if you are also s(ll preparing gluten-‐containing food (use separate serving and mixing utensils, etc.)

5.   Google “Gluten Free”. There are a lot of great websites out there!


Gluten SensiEvity and Narcolepsy

No studies have researched a link between gluten sensiEvity

and narcolepsy A few people with narcolepsy have anecdotally reported symptom improvement when following a strict gluten free diet. While there may be some symptom improvement, a recent survey of members of a gluten free PWN facebook group found that most PWN who adopted a strict gluten free diet noted between 20-‐80% improvement in dayEme sleepiness.

A gluten free diet will not cure narcolepsy


Resources for the GF PWN

Facebook group: “Gluten Free PWN”

GlutenFreeNarcolepsy.com

GlutenFreeGoddess.blogspot.com

CeliacDisease.about.com

GlutenDude.com


Gluten Free PWN

madcapmissadventures.blogspot.com


Several GF PWN have blogs, which tell personal stories and relay gluten free and other narcolepsy resources

Keep in mind, as with ALL blogs, the informa*on you find may not necessarily be accurate!

glutenfreenoc.blogspot.com

zombieinsEtute.net

Yawnireland.blogspot.com

Note: all of the above blogs are structured in such a way so that there is no financial gain by the authors

Documents

Presentaon*by:*Chris(naL.*Graves* - Autoimmune Patient · GlutenSensivity$ andNarcolepsy Nostudieshaveresearcheda linkbetween$gluten$sensiEvity$ andnarcolepsy $ Afew$people$with$narcolepsy$have$anecdotally$reported$symptom$

Presentaonby:Chris(naL.Graves - Autoimmune Patient · GlutenSensivity$ andNarcolepsy Nostudieshaveresearcheda linkbetween$gluten$sensiEvity$ andnarcolepsy $ Afew$people$with$narcolepsy$have$anecdotally$reported$symptom$