The Husband: After a lifetime of digestive issues was diagnosed Celiac many years ago (also has a dairy allergy), back when no one knew what you were talking about when you asked for gluten free. He noticed an immediate difference in how he felt, but the GF bread, pastry and dessert options were pretty awful back then. We made the best of it.
The Mom: Rheumatoid arthritis had made it impossible for my mom to knit, open cans, or hold her fingers straight. She was popping pain pills like crazy just to make it bearable. A naturopath put her on an allergen elimination diet. After 9 weeks of limited foods, she introduced gluten back into her diet and got very ill. After being on a gluten free diet for not very long at all she was pain free, knitting again and no longer on pain meds. The Husband joked that she was trying to steal his 'gluten free thunder' but I reminded him she likes to bake and he is now her GF taste tester.
Me: So many issues, from binge eating to Fibromyalgia diagnosis because of widespread pain, to digestive issues, to depression...even a medical Doctor suggested Celiac disease but the tests kept coming back negative. With the help of a naturopath/acupuncturist I made it through an allergen elimation diet to discover that without gluten my aches subisided and digestion was better and even my depression lightened up; without sugar my sinuses cleared up, and without dairy my psoriasis went away. CRAZY! However because of my past food binging issues I've been struggling to stay off all three. It's on ongoing process, but I have the help of my family and several supportive friends.
The Brother: We really did eat pretty healthy growing up, compared to people who lived on raviolios and twinkies. My brother spent most of his 20s and 30s eating a lot of farm fresh, organic foods. After moving to a different area and eating more processed foods and cheap dairy, he quickly developed a lactose intolerance. He was able to eat dairy occassionaly by taking a pill, but he continued to have digestive issues. Much like me he was tested for celiac (once a parent has it, the kids likely will also) but the tests came back negative. He eliminated gluten from his diet and soon was experiencing better digestion and increased energy. Pretty amazing.
EVERYONE ELSE: I need to explain that I don't believe a gluten free diet is the answer for everyone. I think Diet issues are very personal and related to genetics, what one has eaten throughout one's life, and other factors. I know people with food allergies who are fine eating gluten but can't eat something as apparently healthy as a banana. Any dietary changes should be made under the direction of a medical professional.
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