My client Elizabeth came to see me after struggling for three years with IBS: chronic bloating, distention, and severe constipation. All diagnostic tests were normal (colonoscopy, blood tests, etc) and so she was taking a combination of four laxatives that her doctor suggested, with little relief.

Jasmine could not stop getting sick! Almost every other month she caught a cold that would last the better part of two weeks. Just when she was starting to really feel better, the next cold seemed to be waiting around the corner. She exercised, ate well, and took high quality vitamins and supplements but still could not figure out what was damaging her immune system.

Deena struggled with severe joint and muscle pain and fatigue. The joint pain was constant and felt as if each of her joints were being squeezed and crushed. The muscle pain felt like knives being drawn through her arms, legs and core. Doctors had her on four different drugs to help with the pain and her weight increased by about 20 lbs in a short time.

Besides feeling groggy and hung over most mornings, Andrea had developed bumps on her arms and her hair started to thin and fall out. She felt moody and depressed. She was discouraged because although she was attempting to eat the healthiest foods, she did not feel well.

All of these individuals had different symptoms and complaints, however, it was the same thing that improved each person's health:removing wheat/gluten from their diets.For me, it was my personal experience with Crohn's Disease and the desire to keep inflammation down, that lead me to learn more about gluten and it's negative effects on my body.

What is gluten?
Gluten is the protein found in certain grains such as wheat, barley, rye, some oats, and other lesser known grains such as spelt and kamut. Individuals that are sensitive to gluten can have varying reactions including constipation, diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, skin rashes, moodiness, joint and muscle pain, amongst others. There may be increased inflammation anywhere in the body.

Most people have heard of Celiac Disease. In fact, if you have IBS or IBD you have probably been tested for Celiac yourself-or at least you should be! Celiac Disease is the "ultimate" adverse reaction to gluten. It is an inherited autoimmune disease where ingesting gluten causes damage to the microvilli of the small intestine. For someone with Celiac Disease, it is not safe to eat even the smallest amount of gluten.

For the most part, the medical community still sees gluten sensitivity and Celiac Disease as one and the same. So, if your doctor tests you for Celiac Disease and the test results are negative, you might assume that gluten is not the culprit. Not necessarily!

Many alternative health practitioners, as well as some progressive MD's, are starting to understand that there are varying degrees of sensitivity to gluten. For someone who is gluten sensitive (but not necessarily Celiac) removing gluten from the diet can still have a tremendous, positive impact on a variety of health issues.

Elizabeth has followed a gluten-free diet for about 1 year now. She has stopped taking all of her prescription laxatives and her IBS is 95% gone. Jasmine has literally had one cold in the 10 months since she stopped eating gluten, with no other diet or lifestyle changes. Within 24-hours of removing gluten from her diet, Deena had more energy and surprisingly less pain. After two weeks, she had no pain and was able to discontinue most of her prescription drugs. Additionally, she lost 14 pounds in only a few months, feeling like the weight was "melting" off her body.  For Andrea, it took one month of going gluten free to notice her moods starting to "even out". After a couple of months the bumps on her arms were gone and her hair is no longer thinning or falling out.

Due to my own success with eliminating gluten from my diet, I have had nearly 25 clients with IBD tested for gluten sensitivity. At the time of this writing, every single client that has tested positive for a sensitivity and has removed gluten from his/her diet (on a trial period) has decided that the health benefits are significant enough to maintain a gluten free diet (for the long-term). To me, that is pretty revealing!

For example, my client Don, made his first appointment with me after "nearly dying" from Colitis and multiple bacterial infections. He went on a gluten free diet shortly after beginning our work together. At his next colonoscopy his doctor told him "for as long as I have been seeing you (15 years) I have never seen your colon so healthy". Another client, Shelly, with Colitis, recently told me nearly the identical story. (Sadly, neither doctor was very interested in hearing what my clients were doing differently!)

What can you do?
Test for Celiac Disease. It is my opinion, that if you suffer from digestive complaints (or any autoimmune or chronic health condition) have your doctor test you for Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease effects nearly 1 in every 100 people, and 97% are undiagnosed!

Test for gluten sensitivity. Enterolab offers a variety of tests, including a stool test for gluten sensitivity. They also provide genetic testing. This is the lab that I used myself and with each client listed in this article. Immunosciences Lab also offers saliva testing for gluten sensitivity.

Try a gluten free diet. Many people simply feel better with less gluten in their diets. Take gluten out for a month and see if you notice a decrease in any of your symptoms.

Since going gluten free, my client Margaret's eczema is 100% gone, however, she gets terrible eczema around her lips (making them look severely "chapped") when she unknowingly consumes even a small amount of gluten.

Please understand that some people have to completely eliminate gluten from their diet to really see a change. It may take several weeks or months to feel a dramatic difference in your symptoms. Every person's body is different, but it may be worth a try for yours!