Alternative remedies Archives - The Unchargeables

April 18, 2020April 15, 2020

The Best Foods That Help Manage Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that primarily affects infants and children. It is a type of dermatitis which could be chronic or sometimes relapsing. Eczema is skin inflammation that can cause itchiness, redness, swelling, and pain, and can range from mild to severe. Although the exact cause is unknown, overactive immune systems are known to be responsible for eczema. However, it can also be genetic. Asthma and hay fever can also cause eczema. Other skin disorders or disease, infections, or loss of moisture are also known to trigger eczema.

The skin of children is more sensitive than adults, and children are more likely to be exposed to irritants as they drool, touch, and play with stuff that could have irritants on them. This makes children more prone to being affected by eczema.

The types of ezcema:

Contact dermatitis is caused when the skin comes into contact with the substances that harm the skin or set off allergies. The common triggers of this skin reaction are soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, and jewelry. Contact dermatitis can lead to infection if the area is repeatedly scratched and the area starts to ooze. This becomes a good place for bacteria and fungi to grow.

Dyshidrotic eczema causes blisters to form on your feet or hands. These blisters are itchy and can be filled with fluid. High-stress levels, allergies, excessive sweating, and staying for too long in water are the common causes of dyshidrotic eczema.

Exposure to allergens such as pollen can impact eczema

Nummular eczema manifests as circular spots or patches that form on the skin as a result of an injury, burn, or insect bites. These spots are often itchy and can be well defined. Nummular eczema is more common in adult men in their later ages, however, women in their middle ages also are at risk of developing it.

Seborrheic dermatitis generally occurs on the scalp, face, and chest. The common symptoms of this condition are scaly skin, red patches, and sometimes it could also appear in the form of dandruff on the scalp. Mild shampoos are generally recommended for treating this condition on the scalp.

Stasis dermatitis generally occurs when the blood circulation in veins is disrupted, and the blood leaks out of the vessels and into the skin. The most commonly affected areas are the legs. Swelling, dryness, and scaly texture are the common symptoms of stasis dermatitis. The condition is more common in women and adults who are in their fifties.

Foods that help manage eczema:

There are various natural remedies for eczema. Foods such as bananas, berries, salmon fish, sauerkraut juice, turmeric, lemonade, whole grains, probiotics, etc., can play a significant role in treating eczema naturally.

Beetroot is one of the highly recommended foods for managing eczema, it is said to boost liver detoxification and remove harmful chemicals that could trigger eczema. They are also one of the excellent purifiers of blood which promotes healthy skin. Vitamin C in beetroot can help in clearing skin blemishes caused by eczema.

Celery is filled with electrolytes and essential vitamins such as vitamin K and vitamin C, which are highly essential for promoting skin health. It is also a rich antioxidant that detoxifies the liver, which in turn can help improve the condition of eczema. Celery juice can also help in treating acne and psoriasis.

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help fight inflammation related to eczema and other health conditions. It is also loaded with essential nutrients such as vitamin B and selenium, which protects and improves the overall condition of the skin. The other vital components of salmon fish also strengthen the immune system, which boosts the body’s natural ability to fight eczema from the inside.

Salmon helps fight inflammation and may help treat eczema

Turmeric is one of the oldest remedies used in treating eczema and other skin disorders. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric reduce inflammation and help protect the skin from eczema. The natural antiseptic properties also inhibit any infections from eczema. Turmeric can help decrease blemishes, redness, and sooth the skin.

Probiotics. Foods containing probiotics or probiotic supplements contain good bacteria that are said to ease the symptoms of eczema. Probiotics also enrich the immune system, which could have been disrupted when the person is affected by eczema. Probiotics are also known to reduce inflammation, which is one of the symptoms of eczema. Yogurt is one of the best sources of probiotics.

Bananas are rich in vitamin A, which plays a vital role in moisturizing the skin and preventing dryness. Bananas are also loaded with essential fat that is used in many lotions that are used in treating eczema. Potassium in bananas also helps in soothing the effects of eczema.

Food can be used as a natural remedy in many other ways too, such as to treat conditions such as chronic diarrhea.

Foods to avoid:

While some foods can help manage the symptoms of eczema, others can trigger eczema and make it worse.

Listed below are some of the foods to avoid:

Broccoli
Dried fruits
Citrus fruits
Gluten or wheat
Spices
Tomatoes

While a healthy diet and lifestyle are vital in managing eczema, getting a proper diagnosis and treatment from a doctor is highly recommended. Especially when it comes to children, parents should not rely only on natural remedies to treat eczema. It could make the conditions worse. Natural remedies should only be used under a doctor’s supervision.

About the author:

Emylee is a wellness lifestyle writer. She loves sharing her thoughts and personal experiences related to natural remedies, yoga, and fitness through her writing. She currently writes for How To Cure. She can connect with others experiencing health concerns and help them through their recovery journeys through natural remedies.

February 8, 2020February 6, 2020

Why It Is Beneficial To Practice Yoga Whilst Traveling

Yoga can act as a multi-purpose remedy for people of all age groups. It has therapeutic properties within each yogic movement that are good for the mind, body, and soul.

During your moments of wanderlust and planning your travel, when you have decided your favorite destination to go to, you don’t want any moments of severe symptoms or anxiety to impact your holiday once you’re on your way. It’s good to think positively about your future journey, but it’s wise to also take the necessary precautions. If you have impaired mobility, neurological dysfunction, fatigue, pain, etc., you may end up experiencing anxiety, less social interaction or even depression. In an effort to minimize such experiences, you can calm your symptoms or yourself with Yoga.

Meditation, Pranayama, or Yoga are exercises that can be performed anywhere. Therefore, while traveling, yoga can help relieve the symptoms of chronic illnesses. It works as a stress-buster as you increase qualities such as compassion, focus, improved memory, and better concentration. It may seem like too much of a challenge to maintain a yoga routine while traveling. What if you have to face uninvited challenges? However, it’s worth it. Yoga works as a booster to elevate your moods. Researchers have found and proven that Meditators are more self-aware and come through the stress-related problems to live a quality life.

The Benefits Of Practicing Yoga Whilst Travelling

Yoga is extremely beneficial, especially while traveling. Why? Because it promotes better health, allowing you to make the most of your holiday. Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama, and similar yogic practices can also help with clearing brain fog, which many people with chronic illness experience. Meditation also helps in clearing out the clutter that is causing emotional instability. It gives a clear perspective and a focused mindset while the Pranayama also helps in flushing out the toxins to reward you with a refreshed state of mind.

While traveling it is important to maintain healthy habits and to be aware of your surroundings. Create a safe space for yourself! It is important to look after yourself when you are trying to balance work and family life. People often ignore the more subtle elements of their health because they are too focused on dealing with the lives of other people. Yoga makes sure that you take care of your mental and physical health, because only then can you take care of others.

Establish your own yoga routine so you can take it with you anywhere

To start your yoga journey as someone who experiences chronic illness, consider private instructors initially; join gentle and restorative classes; practice Yoga from online sources or digital media. A little bit of stretching and deep breathing can be a benefit to almost anyone. So, travelers must consider this wonderful hack to give priority to their health while still making the most of their adventures. Let Yoga be your travel partner, a guide that can help protect you from all the bad forces of life with the natural power it inherits.

Look at the positive side of the world and appreciate every with grace. Staying positive is a weapon that not many people can fully embrace, but many people chase this state of mind as an infinite goal. So, if practicing yoga interests you, grasp motivation and start your journey. After all, being alive is a gift in itself to cherish!

Bipin Baloni is a passionate Yogi, Yoga Teacher and a Traveller in India. He organizes 200 hours of yoga teacher training in various cities in India and Nepal. He also conducts AyurvedaCourses in Kerala He loves writing and reading books related to yoga, health, nature, Himalayas and Trekking in Nepal .

December 14, 2019January 15, 2020

How Being Chronically Ill Has Made Me The Target Of Dangerous “Miracle Cure” Products (And How To Avoid Them).

Disclaimer: When starting a new health supplement or diet you need to consult with your doctor first to ensure that any changes will benefit your health instead of making it worse.

As someone who is both chronically ill and overweight, I am a perfect target for the “miracle cure” products that circle the internet. If you’re unsure as to what I’m referring to, certain products on the internet claim to be the “miracle cure” that can cure “any and all” illness or disability. Of course, this isn’t true.

If It Sounds Too Good

I’ve learned over the years that if a treatment sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

Not only do these products target and take advantage of chronically ill and/or disabled people, but they can also be extremely dangerous. It’s not just because of the possibly unregulated ingredients though. Some of these “treatments” even recommend stopping all other medications while using the product, which is ridiculous!

I’m not going to mention specific product names or brands in this article, as I don’t want to cause any legal issues. However, there are plenty of online resources that can be consulted regarding these types of products. I find that the five most commonly targeted conditions by these scams that I’ve seen are Cancer, Obesity, Fibromyalgia, ADHD, and Autism. However, there is no condition that the scam supplements will not claim to cure. The rise of internet usage in our society has made it super easy for the creators of these scam products to widely sell their product, but I’m hoping we can use the internet to raise awareness about this issue and turn things around.

My Experience

Like many others, I have seen these products advertised all over the internet. Luckily, my mother taught me at a young age to do my research before buying any of these “miracle cures”. Like many of us, my experiences with the advertisement of these products was purely online… until earlier this year. I’ll set the scene: One afternoon I was walking through the main street of my town, minding my own business, heading towards my dentist appointment. Out of nowhere, a woman runs out of a little nutrition store and asks me if I’d be interested in learning more about her products. Me, finding it hard to say no and having time to waste before my appointment, agreed and headed into the store.

It wasn’t until later that I realised how weird it was that she ran out of her store upon seeing me. She wasn’t standing outside her store handing out flyers, and I didn’t see her approach anyone else. Later I realised that she must have seen me as an easy target because I’m overweight and was using my walking cane. As I entered the store, I instantly regretted my decision. Every single one of the products in that store was a “health” product from a single company that is well known on the internet for promising benefits for their products that they don’t deliver. I continued to talk to this woman as if I was interested in buying the products. She went on and on about how her products have improved the lives of people with many medical conditions.

I then asked if I needed to consult my doctor before starting to use these products. She told me that no, I didn’t need to consult a doctor because it was all-natural, and then she made a snarky comment that the fast-food I eat would react far worse with my medication than any product she sells. The funny thing is, despite being overweight, I only eat fast food not even once a week. I couldn’t believe she’d say something like that to someone she had never met before, and I knew her comment about it being all-natural and therefore not possibly interacting with medication was blatantly untrue. I then escaped the store, and the awkward situation, by telling her that I needed to leave to attend my appointment and that I would consult my finances and get back to her. After my appointment, I went home and did my research, and it turns out this company’s products are linked to liver failure. I definitely dodged a bullet.

The Rising Awareness Concerning These Products

Some of these products are so dangerous that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has released warnings about them. The FDA is discussing tightening rules regarding these products, however, the companies behind said products are adept at finding loopholes in the law. D] Phil even did an episode regarding a “miracle” cabbage and salt-based drink that the creator claimed cured all illnesses – she evened claimed it could grow back missing limbs and organs and fix chromosome disorders. However, this drink had such a high salt content that prolonged use would cause sodium poisoning, which can be deadly.

Thanks to coverage from platforms like these and articles all over the internet, awareness regarding these dangerous products are arising. Still, however, some people are falling victim to these schemes, and I’m hoping that the continued spread of information through the internet will eventually turn the tables against these scam products.

Some Supplements & Diets Can Be Helpful

Depending on your chronic illness and current treatments, supplements can be helpful for aiding the treatment of your symptoms. Magnesium, for example, is widely known to help lessen muscle pain and spasms. It was first suggested to me by my doctor, and I’ve found it to be very helpful in addition to my other medications. Other popular supplements include turmeric and fish oil, which each have a long list of ways they may be able to aid your health.

Certain diets can also be helpful. I have encountered many people with obesity, chronic pain, and/or fatigue who swear by the keto diet as a way to lose weight and aid the treatment of their symptoms, though I have not yet tried it myself. These treatments (when used under the guidance of a medical professional) can be genuinely helpful. What isn’t genuinely helpful, however, is when people claim that their unreliable diets and supplements can cure any and all forms of illness, which is obviously not true.

“Natural” Doesn’t Always Equal Safe

The main angle these companies use to advertise their “miracle cure products” is that their products are “100% natural, 100% safe!” Don’t let this fool you. A product containing all-natural ingredients does not guarantee its safety. After all, cyanide is natural! And so is the cabbage and salt drink I mentioned above, yet the amount of salt in this ‘treatment’ has caused serious medical events in patients that have drunk it, such as stroke.

It’s not just an excess of certain ingredients that can be an issue. There’s also an issue that comes along with these products targeting the chronically ill. Like many people who are chronically ill, I take a lot of medication in an attempt to manage my symptoms. Many medications have specific ingredients that may not be consumed along beside this medication. Some of these ingredients are in other medications. Others are a part of natural growing foods. For example, I can’t consume products that have grapefruit in them because that would negatively interact with the medication I take every day.

How to avoid dangerous “miracle” supplements:

Do your research.

If anyone other than a trusted medical professional recommends a health product or routine/diet to you, do your research. When researching a product, Google the product and look at reviews that are not on a website connected to the product brand (as some brands delete negative reviews). Make sure the brand or website you’re buying from is reliable. You can even check with the FDA to see if the product is approved, or if the FDA has any concerns regarding the product or the brand. Also, in my opinion, “health” products from MLM (multi-level-marketing) companies and websites should be avoided.

Consult Your doctor or a pharmacist

As always, when starting a new health supplement or diet you need to consult with your doctor before to ensure that this will benefit your health instead of making it worse. This is especially important if you have chronic health issues and take medication.

Pharmacists can give you a break down on ingredients in the supplement you are enquiring about, and inform you as to whether they will interact with any of the treatment you are undergoing. Consulting a pharmacist regarding a supplement I was interested in saved me from possibly developing Serotonin Syndrome, which can be deathly. This would have been caused due to an interaction between the supplement and one of my medications.

Only buy from reliable sellers

Once you have the “OK” from your doctor or pharmacist, only buy health supplements from reliable sources. I personally only buy my supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets. Unless I’m visiting a website directly connected to a supermarket or pharmacy, I will not buy supplements online.

While some people may think that what other people decide to sell or buy is no one else’s business, these “miracle” products take advantage of vulnerable people and they are also often extremely dangerous. I can not stress enough how important it is to consult a medical professional before starting a new treatment. People reading this may think I’m being repetitive and redundant, but I can’t say it enough.

My Resources:

Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/no-this-miracle-solution-isnt-a-cure-for-cancer-autism-its-bleach#Unproven-and-dangerous-health-cures

Dr Phil, regarding dangerous cabbage-salt drinks: https://www.drphil.com/videos/medical-professional-explains-potential-dangers-of-controversial-health-beverage/

About The Author

Amy Clements is a 20-year-old who has lived with chronic pain, the result of Fibromyalgia, since childhood. In her teens she was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in her wrist, which was the result of a netball injury. Amy lives in New Zealand and studies Business part-time at University. She enjoys reading novels and writing. She especially enjoys writing about her experience with chronic illness.

October 7, 2019October 2, 2019

Why The “You Can Do Anything If You Try” Narrative Is Harmful to Chronically Ill and Disabled Youth

We hear the phrase “you can do anything if you try,” or something similar, throughout our entire lives; starting at preschool and kindergarten and continuing throughout school. And sure, for many children this may be true; if they put their efforts into something, they may eventually master their craft and achieve all their goals.

However, this phrase completely ignores the fact that we each have our own unique strengths and weaknesses. Someone who is naturally good at maths is going to do far better in that subject than someone who is not. And that’s ok.

Why The "You Can Do Anything If You Try" Narrative Is Harmful to Chronically Ill and Disabled Youth

This phrase becomes even more illogical once you consider that it is also often applied to disabled and chronically ill youth. When experiencing a disability or chronic illness, you often can’t do certain things, no matter how hard you try. So why is it being drilled into disabled and chronically ill youth that they can? Isn’t this harmful? Wouldn’t this lead to false expectations and damaged self-esteem?

You may be reading this and be thinking that I’m just cynical. This article may even be seen as a little negative and controversial. However, for me, finally realising that I couldn’t do ‘everything if I put enough effort into it’ was freeing. I’ll explain why;

Coming to the realisation that I can’t do everything I try

After a lifetime of feeling like I haven’t been achieving enough (through my grades, sport, etc.), last year I had to give up studying the course that would have led me to my dream career due to my health. I felt so dejected because all my life I had been taught that I can do anything if I try hard enough.

The thing is, I WAS trying. I was working myself into exhaustion, but it still wasn’t enough. I felt like I wasn’t enough. I felt horrible about myself, to the point of feeling depressed. However, I got back up and found another course that I would be able to study without having as big of an impact on my health. I still felt horrible, but I did my best and found that this course was a lot better for me.

Six months in, I came to a realisation. I didn’t fail at continuing with the previous course because I wasn’t trying hard enough, I failed at continuing because my health didn’t allow it. It wasn’t apathy on my part, it was an actual, physical limitation.

Once I accepted my limitations, this led me to become a lot more accepting of myself. I wish I had come to this conclusion sooner; it would have saved me a lot of heartache.

Being told that I could do anything I wanted as a child set me up for a lot of disappointment. And despite how harmful this narrative is, I see evidence that it is still being told to children every single day. Here are some other phrases that are often directed at chronically ill and disabled youth that also fit within this narrative:

“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.”

This one especially upsets me. It wasn’t a bad attitude that caused me to experience immense chronic pain on a daily basis starting in childhood. It isn’t a bad attitude that has left me using a walking cane most of the day to get around.

This phrase takes the word “disability”, a word that has a lot of meaning to a lot of people, and tries to change the definition completely. This phrase frames disability as apathy towards carrying out tasks, rather than an actual inability to carry out these tasks.

The “What’s your excuse?” comparisons

You may have seen memes depicting disabled athletes, with phrases written across them saying things such as “what’s your excuse?” or even worse, “Your excuse is invalid.” These memes basically use disabled people to shame others (including other disabled people) into thinking they need to adopt certain habits or push themselves past their limits.

I understand wanting to come up with a viral, inspirational meme, but chronically ill and disabled people should not be exploited in the process. I know able-bodied and disabled people alike who agree that these memes are very harmful, especially in an age where social media is such a huge part of our lives, even more so for the youth.

My “excuse”, as they put it in the second quote, is certainly not “invalid”. I will never be an award-winning athlete, as the constant pain and exhaustion make exercise difficult. I will never be an award-winning mathematician because the brain fog makes remembering formulas difficult. I’m ok with that.

As I said above, everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Just because one disabled or chronically ill person achieves something, does not mean every other disabled or chronically ill person can.

You can’t judge a group of people by the actions of a few, and they certainly shouldn’t be shamed just because a member of the community has achieved something that they haven’t.

“There’s no such word as ‘can’t’”

This phrase confused me a lot as a child. Mostly because my young brain would take it literally, and I knew the word “can’t” did exist. When I was presented with this phrase, for the longest time I would go fetch the dictionary to prove them wrong.

It also confused me because I knew there were things that I, and other humans, couldn’t do. I can’t fly independent of a form of aircraft. I can’t breathe underwater without using a snorkel or oxygen tank. The word “can’t” doesn’t have to be a negative word attributed to pessimists, and knowing when to accept your limits shouldn’t be considered negative either.

“Don’t let your disability define you.”

Another phrase that is often said to chronically ill or disabled youth is that we “shouldn’t let our disabilities/chronic illnesses hold us back” or “shouldn’t let our disabilities/chronic illnesses define us”. I find this to be a very naive take.

Sure, we aren’t wholly defined by our disability/ies, but what we are able to do often is. There are ways to overcome these challenges, but only to a certain extent. There are some things that, no matter how hard you push yourself, you’ll never be able to achieve.

Accepting that isn’t letting your disability define you, it’s understanding your limits and knowing there are better areas to concentrate your energy.

I’ve even had people tell me that I shouldn’t talk about my chronic illness or disability – at all. That talking about my chronic illness or disability is letting my health control me and consume my thoughts.

My disability is a part of me. I can acknowledge my disability’s effect on my life and be proud of what I achieve despite it without letting it define me. Not to mention, it’s hard not to think about your chronic pain when you experience it every minute of the day… But that’s easy to ignore, right?

While on the surface these phrases may seem inspirational, they may do more harm than good when it comes to disabled and chronically ill youth. They can lead to false hope, which can chip away at the young person’s self-esteem when they don’t achieve everything they aim to like it did to me.

Not everyone can do everything, no matter how hard they try. Instead, we should be encouraging disabled and chronically ill youth to try their hardest to achieve goals that are realistic, yet also push and challenge them at the same time.

If there’s one thing I want disabled and chronically ill youth to take away from this article, it is that you should feel comfortable doing what you CAN. With the help of those who care about you, set your own pace in life.

Push yourself, but not so hard that your goals become unachievable. Don’t let society tell you that trying your hardest isn’t good enough, because it is. Know that you are enough.

About The Author

August 3, 2019July 22, 2019

The Benefits of Meditation (How to Relax Your Body and Mind)

If you find yourself feeling anxious and stressed more frequently than usual, it’s time to take a break before you find your bucket overflowed with stress. You can achieve this by pampering your mind and body with meditation. Meditation is one of the best ways to cope with stress as it releases tension from our muscles and encourages the supply of oxygenated blood to our brain. It gives us a moment for self-reflection and helps in finding the answers to our problems within. It is also very relaxing.

How I Like to Meditate:

Focusing attention to the different parts of the body through meditation is a good way to quiet the mind. You may start practicing meditation by sitting comfortably while closing your eyes. Relax your shoulders by placing your hands on your lap. Take a few slow and deep breaths and exhale the stress from your body with each exhale. After that, start focusing on the different parts of your body starting from the toes, legs, and hips with each breath. Picture yourself sending vibrations of relaxation to each body part and release your tension as you do so.

You can practice this for five to ten minutes before you go back to your regular tasks. Here are some of the benefits of meditation:

It Reduces Stress Levels Within Your Body and Can Lessen Inflammation

Stress causes the release of hormones such as Cortisol. It produces harmful effects on your body and releases cytokines, which is an inflammation-promoting chemical. These hormones and chemicals can promote disturbed sleep, anxiety, and depression. It also leads to cloudy thinking and fatigue. People often use meditation for stress reduction. A study shows that if you do mindfulness meditation for more than eight weeks, it can lower the harmful effects of inflammatory hormones on our body. Meditation can also improve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

Helps Control Inflammation

If you feel less stressed, this can lead to you feeling less anxious. If you start practicing meditation you could experience a reduction in your anxiety. Along with that, it also reduces the symptoms of anxiety such as paranoid thoughts, phobias, social anxiety, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive behavior. Meditation can not only reduces the symptoms of anxiety but can also help you cope up with the stress related to the high-pressure working environment.

Helps in Decreasing Blood Pressure

Meditation helps in reducing the strain on your heart. High blood pressure creates pressure on the heart, and it has to work harder to pump the blood, which leads to poor heart function. With time, high blood pressure contributes to narrowing the heart arteries, and atherosclerosis, which can be the main cause of heart stroke and attack. When you practice meditation and chant non-vocalized words, it can help in reducing high blood pressure. This can lead to a controlled nervous system and coordinated heart signal.

Using Meditation to Help Decrease Blood Pressure

Helps You to Bear Pain

Your mind plays an important role in perceiving pain, and it can pain levels can increase if you’re in a stressful condition. A study shows that if you practice yoga on a regular basis, it helps you make less sensitive towards pain and decrease in chronic pain. Meditation helps in diminishing the perception of the pain in your brain. This process can help you cope with intermittent pain.

Can Improve Your Sleep Pattern

Half of the population of the world struggles with insomnia at some point in their lives. If you practice mindfulness meditation techniques regularly, you’ll notice an improvement in your sleep. Meditation not only helps you sleep easily but also makes sleep more satisfying. Our racing thoughts, stress, and anxiety don’t let our brain relax, and that leads to insomnia. Meditation calms these thoughts and helps in relaxing our brain, releasing tension and putting you in a peaceful state.

Aids Addiction Recovery

Meditation helps in increasing self-control, which can help you to get rid of any kind of dependencies and increase awareness for triggers towards addictive behavior. A study shows that regular practice of meditation helps people to increase their willpower, redirect their attention, control impulses, and more. For people who are taking medication and treatment for drugs or alcohol addiction, meditation can serve as the perfect aid for controlling your cravings. Meditation also helps in controlling food-related cravings and is helpful for disorders like obesity.

Using Meditation to Help Control Addictive Behavior

Can Also Increase Positive Feelings Such As Generocity

Regular practice of meditation helps in increasing positivity towards yourself and others. Love kindness meditation is a technique that helps you to develop kind thoughts towards yourself and others. You start developing mercy and forgiveness, first to yourself then gradually towards an acquaintance and finally towards your enemies. Not only does this encourage love and kindness, but also it helps in reducing marriage conflicts, social anxiety, and aids anger management. This meditation technique is an excellent way to learn compassion and empathy towards others and to look upon life with positive feelings.

July 1, 2019June 30, 2019

My Personal Experience with Childhood Obesity: Child Obesity Week

I’ll be honest, writing this article made me feel a little uncomfortable. In the previous articles I have written, I have focused specifically on my chronic pain, and may have briefly mentioned my weight in passing. I have never written a piece specifically about my weight before. As an obese woman with a chronic illness, my weight makes me feel self-conscious. I want to lose weight, however, it is extremely difficult for me. I recently adjusted my diet and have lost a few Kgs so far this year, but it’s slow going.

Obesity is one of the biggest public health threats currently facing the UK. It is also the second biggest human generated burden to the economy, coming after smoking. Obese children are much more likely to become obese in adulthood than children who aren’t. This can lead to significant health issues as well as problems with self-esteem.

The Statistics

According to the RCPH (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health), almost 1 in 5 children are overweight or obese when they start primary school. It is estimated that half of all children will be overweight or obese by 2020. While there can be many causes for childhood obesity, it has been found that there is a correlation between deprivation and prevalence in overweight/obesity. In 2015 and 2016, 40% of children in England’s most deprived areas were overweight or obese, compared to 27% of children in areas that are not.

My Experience

I was 7 years old when I was first told I was overweight. This was around the time my chronic pain was starting to become concerning to my parents (it had been continuously brushed off as “growing pains” by doctors). From then on, I struggled with my weight throughout my childhood. I had chronic gastro reflux and I would comfort eat in an attempt to escape the chronic pain I experienced every day (which we now know is the result of Fibromyalgia). I didn’t seem to be able to process when I was full. This made managing my weight as a child very difficult.

It was when puberty hit (about the age of 11) when my weight started rising at what seemed like an uncontrollable rate. My pain levels had risen to a level that I was now disabled, and I was being trialed on heaps of different medications from tramadol to gabapentin in attempts to control it. By the age of 12, I had become obese. I became very self-conscious about my body, a lot of that due to the bullying I received from other students. I was called names like “whale” on top of the bullying I had received for having an invisible disability.

My issue seemed to be that I had a large appetite without having the ability to exercise to balance it out. Simply put, I ate too much, despite my parents trying to control my portions. I still do eat too much. It’s a habit I’m working very hard to overcome. My weight fluctuated throughout my teen years. It seemed that whenever I got settled into an exercise plan and lost a considerable amount of weight, I’d become sick with a pain flare and gain it all again, plus more.

Stereotypes About Obese Children

I have seen many posts on the internet where people say that if a parent “allows” their kid to become obese, then they should be charged with child abuse. I find this ridiculous. My parents did everything they could to try to teach me about healthy eating habits. It is through no fault of theirs that I became obese. Families with obese children need help, not judgement.

Before my chronic pain became a disability, I loved to be active. I did rock climbing, swimming, played netball and enjoyed playing sports like soccer and hockey during P.E. class. I was a part of a marching team (not a marching band, more like army marching) from the age of five until the age of twelve that had weekly training, so I was getting plenty of exercise. I even did child Zumba.

However, my weight kept increasing. One stereotype about obese children is that they sit around playing video games all day. Sure, maybe some do, but I certainly didn’t. In fact, my parents refused to buy us any form of gaming console. We never had an Xbox, a Wii, or a Play Station. We were encouraged to play outside as much as possible, and I definitely did. One thing I have learned from being chronically ill is that you can’t tar an entire group of people with the same brush.

Things I believe may help.

One thing I never learned in school was how to grow my own food. Buying vegetables and fruit can get very expensive, so I would love to have learned how to grow my own food in a garden. Sure, I could do my own research (and I plan to) and learn that way, however, I feel that it would make a huge difference if children were taught this stuff growing up so that by the time they’re adults it’s second nature.

All children should learn how to cook. Some schools teach children to cook as early as 11 years old (if not earlier), which should definitely happen everywhere. Of course, I don’t think children should be forced to become mini master chefs, however, if a child shows interest in what’s being cooked for dinner, they may be more conscious about what they eat.

As said above, obesity in children is likely to result in obesity in adulthood, as it did for me. In order to lose weight lifestyle changes must be made. However, if you are hindered by factors such as budget or chronic illness, that may be easier said than done. All children deserve to be happy and healthy, and I believe that as a society, we can work to change childhood obesity rates as one of the things that challenges that.

My Sources: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/key-topics/nutrition-obesity/about-childhood-obesity

About The Author:

May 6, 2019April 18, 2019

Using Meditation Strategies to Help Cope with Life While Experiencing Chronic Illness

You’ve probably heard about the health benefits of yoga in improving mental and physical health, and in improving flexibility. Due to the shared benefits, the words ‘yoga’ and ‘meditation’ are often thought of as synonyms. Although meditation can be incorporated into yoga, they are different practices. While I was skeptical of meditation at first, it has indeed helped me to manage my stress and life while living with Multiple Sclerosis, chronic pain, and fatigue.

How Meditation Works

Meditation involves clearing your mind while maintaining a state of awareness. Or at least trying to! It is much more than sitting and concentrating in a quiet area for a designated amount of time; it involves calming your mind of all thoughts, achieving a deep inward peace, and maintaining attention and alertness in the process.

Have I gotten to the complete deep inward peace thing? Nope, not yet. But I have found that meditation is an excellent way to relax, to calm my anxious mind, and to take the focus off of my pain.

People often use certain postures, breathing techniques, and even chants to help facilitate the process of meditating, but these are not required. They are not the act of meditation itself, just the support tools. Personally, I like to meditate in my favorite recliner or in my bed because it’s most comfortable for me.

Stress as a Spoonie is Extra Hard On Your Body

Meditation makes the body less responsive to stress hormones, which lowers blood pressure, improves blood circulation, improves digestion and immunity, and establishes emotional and neurological “balance.”

How does this work exactly?

According to what I’ve learned, it mostly comes down to hormones. Stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin increase blood pressure and heart rate, while “feel good” chemicals, such as serotonin, (which are released in a state of relaxation), work to repair cells.

Tips on Getting Started with Meditation

As a beginner, taking a meditation class, watching a video, or using an app that introduces you to the concept of meditation is the easiest way to get started. A guided meditation teaches you various techniques for facilitating the process. It is not as easy as I thought it would be, but I’m glad to have another calming tool in my toolbox.

Using apps to aid meditation to help cope with chronic illness

You may be able to find a class in your community that is specifically dedicated to meditation, but for me, it’s been easier to learn through online tools. Some meditation videos/audios can be found for free online. Try searching YouTube, or downloading an app. If you prefer a mix of yoga and meditation, the best types of yoga to focus on include Kundalini, Ananda, Jivamukti, and Integral.

Research shows that just 20 minutes of consistent meditation sessions can have tremendous health benefits. When my therapist suggested I try it, I was skeptical. There was no way I could do it for twenty full minutes! So I started with just five minutes at a time. Meditating before you go to bed can help you to fall asleep too. Personally, falling asleep is a struggle, and I have noticed that I fall asleep much faster if I meditate in bed.

Try getting outside! Many people find that sitting in nature – I just sit on my back porch – helps them to facilitate the process of meditation. It’s also a great way to get outside and absorb some Vitamin D.

Try meditation out side to help cope with chronic illness

Of course, everyone is different. To get started, experiment with different ways of meditating to see what work for you and what helps you the most. Also, try meditating at different times of the day and for different periods of time to find what works. It’s okay if you cannot calm your mind completely, (I rarely can!), you can still get many benefits from making the effort. Remember, you and your health are worth that effort!

Jenna Green is the creator Full of Grit & Grace, a blog and community for people who cannot work a traditional 9-5 job. She’s an outspoken spoonie with Multiple Sclerosis, Dystonia, Degenerative Disc disease, chronic pain, and a whole lot of grit. She strives to help others (and herself) to learn to give themselves grace while going through tough times. She’s a dog mom, auntie extradonaire, fashion lover, and (mostly) optimist.

April 18, 2019April 15, 2019

My Celiac Story: How I Found Out my Entire Family has Celiac Disease

celiac disease, gluten, elimination diet, autoimmune protocol diet, autoimmune disease

Let’s Start at the Beginning

I have had stomach problems since I was a teenager, but I took me a until I was in my thirties to figure out the cause of my issues was actually Celiac Disease. As a teenager, I always had terrible cramps and acid reflux. By the time I was sixteen, my doctor put me in acid blockers to try to control my symptoms. I took the medicine every day for years and it helped, but my symptoms still persisted. Being that I was sixteen, the doctor’s attributed the cramps to my monthly cycle and figured the acid blockers would resolve the rest. But they didn’t. I eventually just learned to live with the symptoms and go about my life. I thought this is just how my life would have to be. After all, I was feeling better, just not good.

When I was about twenty, my cramps became even stronger and more frequent and I was having trouble coping with the pain. I once again returned to my doctor, and he suggested that I do an elimination diet to see if what I was eating may be contributing to my symptoms. He suggested I replace the multigrain bread I normally ate with plain white bread or spelt which would be easier to digest and that I should eat a lot of yogurt, which has good probiotics and is easy to digest. He also prescribed a medication to help with the cramps. I made the dietary changes, took the medication, and it helped a little, but I was still suffering.

It’s Hard to Work when You’re Chronically Ill

While I was trying to figure out the cause of my gastrointestinal issues, I was also working a full-time job at a call center. This was the type of job that required you to clock in and out every time you took any kind of break. Even if you were just going to the bathroom, you were required to clock out when you left and back in when you returned. My symptoms had gotten so bad that I would have to go to the bathroom six or more times a day and I could be in there for ten minutes each time. Well, my employer took notice of this and I was called in for a meeting. As much as I tried to explain that I was legitimately ill and couldn’t help it, all my employer saw was the time and my contract was not renewed. After about six months, this extreme flare finally calmed down. My stomach ache and acid reflux were just a part of my everyday life, but we’re not so bad that it was disruptive to my day or my life.

celiac, bloating, acid reflux, abdominal pain

On Vacation, but not from my Symptoms

Some time passed and now I was about 26 and I went on a vacation to the Azores, Portuguese islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. I looked 4 months pregnant! My stomach was extremely swollen and it hurt a lot. I had been been living on antacids and other medicines, but nothing was really working anymore. At the time, I thought my body may be reacting to the different foods I was eating. In this area, they tend to prepare everything using a lot of butter and I had stopped eating butter years ago, so I thought I must not be used to it anymore and that’s what was probably causing my reaction. I was convinced the butter was the cause of my problems. Even when I just ate a salad, which obviously had no butter, I still felt really badly. It was so extreme. I was only there for a week or two, but when I showed people pictures from my trip, my physical transformation was so drastic that people would ask me if I really was pregnant.

celiac disease, stomach pain, bloating, cramps, acid reflux, gluten, diet

I didn’t know what was going on. As chronic illness life goes, you get some bad days, then you get some good days. Every year you have is different. Still, I was undiagnosed and I went on with my life. All the while, I kept taking stomach liners, acid blockers, and other medicines for my bowels. This became my daily regimen in order to live without constant abdominal pains and cramps.

Making Changes

Some more time past and now I was 31 or 32 years old. I started researching more into my health and looking into natural remedies and the holistic way of living. I wanted to change my lifestyle to try to feel better. I had stopped eating sugar years prior and it made me feel so much better, but I noticed after a couple of years, the effects of that wore off or something. I decided to make some other changes I hoped of regaining that feeling. I knew I had to do something drastic. That’s when I started the autoimmune protocol diet. For this diet, you cut out all sugar, lactose, gluten, rice, seeds, and beans and then slowly start reintroducing them back into your diet to see which ones are aggravating your body. For me, cutting out gluten was the hardest. I’d literally dream of bread and croissants and pizza. It was crazy!

celiac, diet, autoimmune protocol diet, elimination diet, gluten, food allergies

After being on the autoimmune protocol diet for about 3 or 4 months, I really did start to feel better and I tried to introduce things back into my diet. During that time, I would get together with a group of friends monthly, and we would cook and eat dinner together. This day, we each brought something to be grilled and so we would all prepare the food and then share it amongst the group. One of my friends made something breaded. I don’t remember what is was, but it was being cooked on the same grill with everything else. As I was still not eating gluten, I did not eat the breaded food, but instead partook in the other options. but it was in the same grill.

By the time I got home and I was so sick! I got cramps and I had major brain fog. I couldn’t think straight. I was sweating profusely and was sick and exhausted for three days. I thought this was an extreme reaction, so I started doing research into what could have caused it. That’s when I discover the cross-contamination that can occur with gluten. Still, I was surprised that I had such a strong reaction. I learned that this is actual quite normal when someone is exposed to gluten after long periods of time without it.

My Daughter is Following in my Footsteps

About six months later, I noticed my daughter, who was about four at the time, was very tired and cranky all the time. She was a picky eater and would only really eat bread, potatoes, doughnuts, and of course candy. This seemed strange to me, so I brought her to he pediatrician thinking she may have picked up a bacteria or parasite somehow. We went to the doctor and had her tested, but the tests were negative for any bacteria or parasites. Still, I knew something had to be wrong, so I asked her doctor what else could be done. He told me there were two things we could try. The first option was to virtually turn her inside out running tests to look for anything and everything. Since she was still so young, her doctor thought that would be extreme. The second option was far less invasive. He suggested eliminating gluten for about two weeks to see how she responded. This made a lot of sense to me in light of my own experiences with gluten, so we decided to give it a try.

Going gluten-free was very upsetting to my daughter at first. She had seen the strict autoimmune protocol diet that I had been following and thought that was what she would have to do too. I explained to her that what she was doing was not nearly as strict. She would not have to give up everything, only the gluten. Over the next three days, we finished all the bread and doughnuts and other gluten-containing foods in the house and went 100% gluten-free. The rest of my family wanted to support, so they stopped eating gluten too so she wouldn’t feel so badly. Her dad, my mom (her grandma), and my sister (her aunt) all gave up gluten so my daughter wouldn’t feel alone.

After four days, I had a different child. She had energy and was not so cranky. I could hardly believe the difference! Just by not eating bread, cookies and other gluten-containing foods, I had my daughter back. I still let her have some treats, like cake, but she ate the gluten-free kind instead, as I wanted her to still be able to eat similar foods to what she was used to. After a month, we went back to the doctor to report how it had gone. The doctor said that her improvements indicated that she has celiac disease.

It’s in my Genes!

By this time, my daughter was feeling better and had gotten accustomed to eating the gluten-free foods, so my mom and sister thought it would be okay for them to go back to eating the regular bread and other foods they had given up to support my daughter, but their bodies had other plans. When they ate regular bread again, they got really sick. Unbeknownst to all of us, we all had celiac disease.

It all made sense now. As a baby, my daughter had the worst acid reflux. She couldn’t hold her milk down and she never wanted to eat the porridge. It was difficult to make her eat stuff because she couldn’t keep it down. Thankfully, now we know why. She had been diagnosed with celiac when she was 4 and now we know that it tends to run in the families.

autoimmine, causes, genes, celiac, environment

Everything is Starting to Make Sense Now

It took me over 30 years to figure out that I have celiac disease. I believe that many of my autoimmune issues stem from me having undiagnosed celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which your own immune cells track the gluten enzymes within your small intestine. Your body is basically attacking itself. Looking at my timeline of all my diagnosis, I think this could be the cause of many of my chronic illnesses. I started having my Graves symptoms at 16, but I only got diagnosed at 19. Then at 28, I had Hashimoto’s Disease that went undiagnosed for about 6 years. After my Hashimoto’s diagnosis, I started having Raynaud’s disease, which is also an autoimmune disease that effects blood flow. If you don’t figure out what’s causing autoimmune conditions, they have a tendency to accumulate. Since I discovered my celiac disease so late, I wonder if that may have been the catalyst for my other conditions. I may never know.

I hope my family’s story helped you in some way. I know by sharing my experiences with my own family, my mom and sister have given up gluten and are now feeling better. It’s not for everyone though. Some people have experimented with going gluten-free to try to lose weight or think it’s the cure for any ailment, but it’s not. Going gluten-free is not necessary for everyone. If you think you may have celiac or be gluten intolerant, talk to your doctor and consider trying an elimination diet to find out. Some people can eat gluten with no problems, but for those with celiac, it is a real and serious autoimmune condition that effects their daily life and not just another dietary fad.

celiac disease, autoimmune disease, diet, genetics, gluten

April 15, 2019April 14, 2019

Top 10 Toxic Cancer-causing Foods that You Need to Avoid

The top 10 cancer causing food that you need to avoid at all costs

If there is one love that has remained constant throughout life, then that is food. But did you know that certain foods can cause cancer? Well here’s a piece of heartbreaking news, from today onwards you need to keep tabs on what you eat and what you ditch from your daily diet. Read on to find out more about cancer-causing foods and why you should avoid them.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease that is caused by the uncontrolled cellular division in the affected part of the body. Amid several factors that cause cancer, one of its leading causes is the type of food that you eat. Foods that are genetically modified, spiced or smoked or pickled, canned, processed, and subjected to chemical treatments are carcinogenic. Consumption of such cancer-causing foods can cause severe damage to health and well-being. The best alternative is to incorporate organic and fresh foods to stay healthy and prevent cancer.

Top 10 Terrible Cancer-Causing Foods that you Need to Avoid

Genetically Modified Foods

The production of genetically modified food has exponentially increased, and most of the healthiest foods in the agricultural sector like soy and corn are genetically modified.
Experts have sadly declared that most of the genetically modified foods are not adequately tested. This insufficiency in testing implies that no-one is sure about the long-term effects of the consumption of such diets on health and well-being.
Diet experts recommend the consumption of fresh, organic, and non-GMO foods to avoid cancer.

2. Microwave Popcorn

From its storage bag to its composition, microwaved popcorn is one of the most toxic foods that can cause cancer.

From its storage bag to its composition, microwaved popcorn is one of the most toxic foods that can cause cancer. It is one of the leading causes of lung cancer.
The kernel of microwaved popcorn is genetically modified, and it contains artificial butter and synthetic flavors that release poisonous diacetyl fumes.

3. Canned Goods

The cans which hold the food contain bisphenol-A which is a highly carcinogenic chemical. Extensive experiments reveal that the chemical composition of the boxes can genetically alter the brain cells of rats.
Preserve your health and protect your DNA against unnatural genetic mutations by eating fresh and organic vegetables and fruits instead of canned goods.

4. Grilled Red Meat

Grilled meat is perhaps the king of delicious foods, but sadly it is the king of cancer too. The process of preparation of grilled red meat releases heterocyclic aromatic amines which is a dangerous carcinogenic compound.

Grilled meat is perhaps the king of delicious foods, but sadly it is the king of cancer too. The process of preparation of grilled red meat releases heterocyclic aromatic amines which is a dangerous carcinogenic compound.
Grilling the red meat changes its molecular and chemical bonding structure, and the resulting structure is harmful to health.
Experts recommend the consumption of baked, broiled, steamed, and stewed red meat for the maintenance of good health and body weight.

5. Refined Sugar

Refined sugar, especially high-fructose corn syrup, is worst in the list of cancer-causing foods. Brown sugar is refined white sugar with little molasses added for color and flavor.
Foods made of refined sugar are the primary causes of insulin spikes that trigger the growth and spread of cancer.
Ditch the cancer-causing foods that contain refined white or brown sugar and switch to organic honey, maple sugar, coconut sugar, and other such natural varieties of sugar to thwart cancer and fight against its ill-effects.

6. Smoked, pickled, and salted foods

Foods that are smoked, pickled or salted almost always contain nitrate compounds that are added to enhance shelf life. The synthetic additives of the different foods accumulate in the body and wreak damage in the form of cancer.
Cooking of smoked foods leads to the conversion of nitrates into nitrites which are toxic and far more dangerous for the body than nitrates.

7. Carbonated Drinks

There have been numerous health debates that discuss the adverse effects of carbonated beverages like soda and coke. Read more about foods that can cause cancer.

There have been numerous health debates that discuss the adverse effects of carbonated beverages like soda and coke. These drinks contain genetically modified high-fructose corn concentrates, artificial colors, synthetic flavors, and other chemical additives that cause cancer.
Sodas are one of the worst cancer-causing foods that are not only devoid of nutrients but are also known to deprive the body of nutrients.
Diet sodas are worse than regular drinks. They contain aspartame which is a chemical that is as toxic to health as a bottle of rat poison.

8. White Flour

White flour is refined flour which is flour that does not contain any nutritional values. The refined flour is bleached with chlorine to make it appear whiter and visually appealing.
White flour possesses a high value of the glycemic index. It makes the blood sugar level spike high without providing the body with any nutrients.
Excessive consumption of white flour can trigger insulin resistance which can lead to cancer.

9. Farmed Fish

Fish is cultivated commercially in a crowded and controlled environment to raise vast quantities of it. The commercially farmed fish go through a variety of chemical treatments like pesticides, antibiotics, and other carcinogenic substances to control and prevent parasitic, viral, and bacterial infection of the fish.
The chemical treatment of the farmed fish makes it one of the most toxic cancer-causing foods. Farmed fish are also devoid of essential nutrients and do not possess omega-3 fatty acids.
Experts recommend the consumption of wild salmon and organic fatty fish to stay healthy and prevent cancer.

10. Hydrogenated Oils

Hydrogenated oil is vegetable oil with chemicals and synthetic additives for color, flavor, scent, and appearance.
These oils possess toxic omega-6 fatty acids that can alter the cellular structure of body membranes and wreak cancerous damage.

A few tips to fight against cancer

Strictly avoid the foods that are labeled as “fat-free,” “light,” or “diet.” Such types of foods contain more chemicals than the regular variety.
Eat fresh and organic food
If fresh and organic food is not available then eat it clean frozen or raw. Avoid processed food and junk food.
Cut down on the consumption of refined sugar and grains to stay healthy.

The top ten toxic cancer causing foods to avoid

The key to a healthy life is healthy eating. If you can adhere to a strictly balanced diet of fresh, organic, raw, and steamed or baked foods, then no disease in the world can bring down, not even cancer. So dump the cancer-causing foods and fight cancer with healthy foods, courage, and positiveness.

Written by: Dr. Sohill

April 4, 2019April 3, 2019

The Hidden Dangers of Celiac Disease

I didn’t know I had celiac disease, also know as a gluten allergy, until about six years ago, and now I have to be careful eating everywhere I go. Gluten can be anywhere, even hidden in places that you wouldn’t expect it to be. I have had to become a food label detective in order to keep myself as well as my daughter safe. When you have a gluten allergy, or any food allergy for that matter, there are some things you need to consider in order to remain safe.

Think and Prepare Ahead

Recently, I was visiting my friend, Hemme in her home. She knows me very well and is aware of my dietary restrictions, so prior to my visit, she asked me for a list of foods that will be safe for me to eat during my visit. I sent her a list of foods that are generally okay for me to eat, and she actually did a great job accommodating my gluten allergy. Even still, I nearly had a reaction.

She was preparing fish with a breading and thought that she could simply make mine without the breading and I would be fine. What she didn’t realize is that by having the fish on the same tray or even in the same vicinity, cross-contamination could occur. This is a huge problem people with gluten allergies commonly encounter. She was really happy I caught her and called this to her attention before I got sick, but such realizations are not so easy when dining out in a restaurant.

Then, Hemme was going to prepare some pasta. I eat lentil pasta because I can’t have the corn or rice that is often in other kinds of gluten-free pasta. She consulted the list I had sent her prior to my visit and bought lentil pasta for me to eat with my fish. Hemme bought frozen lentil pasta instead of fresh or dried. I read the package and sure enough, it contained cornstarch and rice flour, so I could not have that either. Sometimes things that seem like they are safe at first glance really aren’t.

The Packages are Lying!

I’m sure we have all been to the grocery store and have gotten lured in by all the different packages. We look at the front of the package and pick which variety of a product to buy. It may list a few key ingredients and maybe some nutritional information, but that’s just the beginning of the story. In order to get the full picture, you have to turn the package over to the back. That is where you’ll find the rest of the information: all the ingredients and nutritional information.

gluten, hidden sources, celiac. gluten allergy, gluten intolerance

Sometimes, you even have to be a scientist or detective to find out exactly what you are eating. Especially with more processed foods, ingredients may go by different names or contain additives to make foods shelf stable for longer periods of time. Sometimes you almost need to recognize the elements of ingredients or certain key words to know if something is safe to eat. It can be very deceiving. For example, something that does not typically contain corn may use corn syrup as a sweetener. If you can’t have corn, then you also can’t have corn syrup or corn starch, and therefore this product is unsafe to eat.

The Dangers of Cross-Contamination

My daughter also has celiac disease. I have to educate people as to what is safe for her to have when I am not with her. She went to my friend’s house one day to play with her daughter. I’ve eaten there many times before and have never gotten sick, so I thought she would also be safe eating there. My friend is always very careful about how she prepares food, but she had gotten her some fries from a takeout place. Well, later that night, my daughter wasn’t feeling well and I recognized her symptoms as a reaction to gluten. I was really surprised. I thought maybe I hadn’t cleaned the oven well enough after my boyfriend used it to make regular (non gluten-free) bread. I questioned my friend about what my daughter ate when she was with her, and she told me about the fries.

celiac, gluten-free diet, gluten allergy, gluten intolerance

What my friend didn’t understand at the time is that even though the fries themselves might be safe, if they are fried in oil with other things that contain gluten, this can cause cross-contamination. That’s why when we go out to eat somewhere, we have to be sure that if she orders something like fries, they are the only thing the oil is used for. The restaurant using the same oils to fry something like chicken nuggets can result in an allergic reaction. Similarly, cooking areas and utensils need to be sanitized or designated as for gluten-free use.

Allergy Vs. Intolerance

Some people may not have a true allergy to gluten, but are rather just gluten intolerant.
When you’re gluten intolerant, you may get sick when you are exposed to gluten. Your stomach may hurt, or you’ll feel tired and just generally may not feel well. With a gluten allergy, also know as celiac, your body will actually attack the enzymes of gluten within the body creating an autoimmune response. This can often lead to other health issues as well. While not confirmed, I suspect that some of my other health issues may actually stem from having celiac disease and eating bread and pizza for 30 years.

celiac disease, gluten allergy, gluten intolerance

Gluten is Everywhere!

Gluten is a group of proteins, termed prolamins and glutelins, stored with starch in the endosperm of various cereal grains. It is found in wheat; barley, rye, and oats as well as products derived from these grains such as breads and malts. It’s is found in many of the most common foods we all enjoy eating and can be very difficult to avoid. It’s in breads, cookies, cakes, pizza, cereals, and many other places that you wouldn’t suspect.

You always have to check the back of the package when you are trying to avoid gluten because, like I said before, the front of the package lies and the back of the package actually tells you what’s inside. You have to make sure that it says that it doesn’t have any wheat or wheat derivatives in it and that it actually says, “gluten free”. Gluten can be in unexpected places, even in foods you’d think would be safe, like chocolate or hamburgers. It is necessary to become a food detective and read what exactly goes in to a given product. This can be tricky as it can vary by brands of similar products and even by different varieties of a particular brand.

While I focused on gluten allergy and intolerance, as that is what effects my daughter and me, the same potential dangers exist when addressing any food allergy or sensitivity. Always consult the back of labels when addressing any food allergy or sensitivity. Even things that appear safe at first glance may not always be. Beware of cross-contamination. Taking these steps will help keep yourself and your loved ones safe and free from food-related reactions.