Dr Vikki Petersen D.C., C.C.N. & Gluten Intolerance

I happened on an article done by Dr. Vikki about Gluten Intolerance and Obesity.

I've been so frustrated with my weight for a very long time and I watch what I eat. Her article helped me understand what is happening.


Here's some info about Dr. Vikki. The website link is at the bottom.


Dr Vikki Petersen D.C., C.C.N.

Dr. Vikki Petersen, a Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Clinical Nutritionist, is founder of the renowned HealthNOW Medical Center in Sunnyvale, California.

She is co-author of “The Gluten Effect”, a bestselling book that has been celebrated by leading experts as an epic leap forward in gluten sensitivity diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Vikki herself is acknowledged as a pioneer in the field of gluten sensitivity. Featured in an exclusive interview on CNN Headline News, Dr Vikki is also endorsed by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness & The Gluten Intolerance Group of North America for her contributions to gluten awareness in our country.

The HealthNOW Medical Center uses a multi-disciplined approach to address complex health problems. It combines the best of internal medicine, clinical nutrition, chiropractic and physical therapy to identify the root cause of a patient’s health condition and provide patient-specific wellness solutions.

Dr. Vikki is passionate about community education and donates much of her time to raising health awareness. As a national lecturer and international radio personality, she makes national radio appearances and headlines weekly speaking events for Silicon Valley and Fortune 500 companies, covering topics such as gluten sensitivity, stress and fatigue, anti-aging and weight loss. She is a featured speaker at the annual Gluten Sensitivity & Celiac Forum held in northern California.

Please use this link to find out more about Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease-

http://www.healthnowmedical.com/

Understanding Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease gives you the power to change your life!

      Karen

Another Reason To Be Vegan-Hepatic (Liver) Cysts

The Liver is a vital organ.

Just what are hepatic or otherwise known as liver cysts? The cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material.
The causes of liver cysts are varied, congenital, parasitic or predisposition.
The following article relates that your diet and food choices may reduce your risk of developing cysts.
Why is this important?
Your liver is a complex organ that your body uses to aid in nutritional absorption, maintaining your blood sugars, detoxifying your system, protects you from infection and aids in blood clotting.
Liver cysts, usually benign, can develop into more serious problems. Infection, bleeding, abdominal pain is some of the lesser issues.

What Foods Cause Liver Cysts?

• Most liver cysts are caused from several years of an inadequate diet, often of very fatty or unhealthy foods. As one gets older, the liver becomes less able to regenerate the cells within itself, and is instead left with damaged cells caused after years of a fat-filled diet. Eating large amounts of junk food, excess alcohol use, very fatty foods and a heavy diet in meats are all contributing factors to the development of liver cysts. For the most part, cysts are relatively harmless but may cause some pain. Your doctor or physician will need to closely monitor these cysts, though, for any possible cancers that may develop.

Read more: What Foods Causes Liver Cysts? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5366753_foods-causes-liver-cysts.html#ixzz1XYtzH0LE

This site has many informative articles about liver cysts. Education gives you awareness of how you can impact and improve your health.

          Karen

Allergic Responses, Brain Inflammation and Neurological Degeneration

Brain inflammation, causes pain and swelling. Chronic brain inflammation may cause cognitive changes, neurodegenerative diseases, chronic pain and fatigue. With significant loss of quality of life.

         

I've been doing some research on allergic responses, brain inflammation and neurological degeneration.

I'm gluten and lactose intolerant causing digestive inflammation and pain, meat causes me muscle and joint pain, nightshade vegetables appear to cause me joint pain with burning, all of this causing both body and brain exhaustion with migraines. This is all basically an inflammatory response of the whole body including the brain. This can lead to neurodegeneration and cellular changes when it is a chronic condition.

Why is this so important to me? My younger sister died due to a rare neurodegenerative genetic disorder that caused changes to her brain cells. It can't be tested for, or treated. She suffered for two years in hospital ending her life way too young.

My goal is to reduce my own inflammation and reduce the chances of causing changes in my brain structure that may trigger the onset of the genetic neurodegenerative disorder. Also to gain and pass along as much of my own experiences and information to my siblings, my daughter and nieces.

I know in the past 12 months I've overall reduced the inflammation that my body experiences. I've done this using a vegan diet, removing gluten and now eliminating nightshades from my diet. It all hasn't been smooth sailing as I still have occasional inflammatory days that can extend into weeks if I'm not diligent. But overall I'm better than I was when I stopped working 14 months ago.

Improving my health and reducing my pain by adjusting my diet is a daily conscious effort. The spinal column injuries and reduced mobility are a source of daily challenge. Without the addition of underlying inflammation the back pain can be more manegable.


There is without a doubt a link between diet and physiological/psychological health.

Here's an article that encapsulates the message between food, mood and brain function.

http://www.ultramind.com/epidemic_brainfog.php

another article:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101020091857.htm

another article:

http://news.bioscholar.com/2011/04/chronic-brain-inflammation-‘linked-to-memory-loss-in-older-adults’-re-issue.html

another article:

http://www.drthrasher.org/page160.html

To better health! Chin, chin!

    Karen

   

Recipes for Alternatives for Tomatoes, Potatoes and Eggplants

Livingwithout is an on line paper/magazine with lots of health articles. Here's one that has recipes for alternatives to tomatoes, potatoes and eggplants.
No More Nightshades!

by Rebecca Reilly

Recipes to satisfy your cravings for the foods you once loved.

Some researchers believe that consumption of nightshades - a family of plants that includes white potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant - contributes to arthritis symptoms in certain sensitive people. If you’ve stricken these plants from your diet because your joints get achy when you ingest them, chances are you’ve been missing the standard “comfort foods” you once enjoyed, like mashed potatoes, tomato sauce and French fries. You may get wistful just thinking about all those tomato-rich Italian and Mexican dishes you used to down.

Letting go of beloved foods can be a challenge but help is on the way! These recipes bring back the good, old days of dining. Cozy comfort and tons of taste–without the nightshades! No gluten or dairy either.

Here's a link to the recipes the Rebecca has adapted-

http://www.livingwithout.com/issues/1_6/no_more_nightshades-2587-1.html

Try the  "Marinara Sauce" without tomatoes, the Roasted Garlic "Mashed Potatoes" witthout potatoes, or the Tofu Parmesan without eggplant.

After I trial my nightshade sensitivity and if positive I may order the "Arthritis Free Cooking" book listed at the bottom of the page. For Canadian customers it is listed at $40.00 with $20.00 for shipping. 

My adventure to recoverying my health continues.

       Karen

Unpredictable Fibromyalgia, possible Nightshade connection

Fibromyalgia trigger spots

I'm still figuring out the fibromyalgia triggers that take me to a place of crash and burn. Yesterday was a crash and burn type day. Every muscle and joint burning and spent 90% of the day in bed or on the couch. Daily I'm challenged with a level of fatigue and pain, but at times it ramps it up and wipes out my day. Sometimes it lasts just a day, sometimes up to several weeks. I know the frequency of my wipe out days has reduced with my dietary changes, use of Omega 3's and glutamine. But when those wipeout days happen they still are a surprise to me. It's like running into a wall you didn't see.

I mentioned this to my friend on Facebook and she suggested that I may be sensitive to "nightshade" foods. 

Tomatoes are also a nightshade plant, that can cause                  arthritic type pain in some people.

Peppers are a nightshade and can cause reactions like                      joint and muscle pain with slight fevers.                              

Most common nightshade vegetables are potatoes and tomatoes. I've already eliminated white potatoes from my diet, but that was mostly a caloric issue. Now I'm going to go without my favourite nightshade, tomatoes. Oh, how I love tomatoes. It's going to be hard, but it will be worth reducing the pain.

Please check out Living Without for Rebecca Reilly's article on nightshades.

I still have more research to do but here is another helpful article I found-

What are nightshades and in which foods are they found?

Another article on nightshades-

Nightshade...no it's not a skin cream!

Here's a link to the Mayo Clinic- for Fibromyalgia

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079

If I can live with reduced pain and fatigue though it means giving up some of my favourite vegetables, it's worth it. I plan to go without any nightshade vegetables for at least a week then try my favourites-tomatoes. Then see what happens.

       Karen

      

The Wonders and Benefits of Black Rice

Black Rice the New Super Food!

 

Black Rice

Black Rice is a highly nutritious species of rice that is now considered a modern super food. Check out the above link to find out more.
I found some organic black rice at my local Bulk Barn. I made some up. After it was cooked I added a large can of drained chickpeas and warmed the mixture through. Seasoned it with salt, pepper, a little cayenne and some margarine. It was tasty.
Black Rice has a very interesting and royal history. See the report below.

Black Rice: the Emperor’s Rice

Published on Sep 06, 2010

It’s kind of difficult to imagine the archaic times of the ancients when comfortable living was reserved for royalty or only a few lucky individuals. Yes, it’s very hard to picture a time when something as simple as stealing a few handfuls of Black Rice would result in being put to death. Yet that’s exactly the way it was according to the history books. Black Rice is also known as “forbidden rice”, and as the name might imply, consuming it without approval from the proper authorities can have life threatening consequences for those involved. Luckily, we no longer live in times of Black Rice prohibition.

The natural healing power and goodness of black rice has been very well noted in modern times. Loaded with antioxidants, Vitamin E, Fiber, and valuable anti-inflammatory properties, this special rice is truly remarkable in its abilities. In ancient China Black Rice was set aside specifically for the Emperor and / or the royal family, regular people weren’t allowed anywhere near the stuff. Much has been written recently about the studies linking antioxidants to anti-aging. What’s really incredible about Black Rice is the fact that it contains even more antioxidants (per serving) than blueberries; which are famous for their anti-aging properties.

The Emperor says, “Hands off the black rice! It’s mine.”

In ancient times, Emperors reserved this wonderfully nutty rice for their own consumption because it was thought that it would extend their lives; actually, it seems they weren’t that far off the mark. Black rice does provide many health benefits that we are just finding out about now; including prevention and treatment of very serious ailments. Avoiding diseases and conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and others is surely a great way to extend the length and quality of your life.

In addition to its healing and nutritious qualities, it would seem that Black Rice was also considered to be somewhat of an aphrodisiac at one time. It is highly likely that the Emperors down throughout the ages probably shared their Black Rice stock with their consorts or concubines.

Black Rice is surely ‘one of the’… if not ‘the most’ special breeds of rice that are cultivated on Earth. Its special, near medicinal values are truly stunning, even today with all of our medical knowledge and tools Black Rice is the kind of food that can save your life. Now every time you set down to enjoy a few servings of this awesome super food, you can remind yourself that you are eating something specifically reserved for kings.

____________________________________________________________

I'm going to try the many recipes listed at the linked website for black rice. I'm considering grinding it for use in my gluten free flour particularly for chocolate baked goods.

        Karen

Pea Protein

I was able to find on-line Pea Protein by "NOW", from VitaminLife.com.

I trust this brand as many of my supplements are NOW Brand products.

This Pea Protein is:

• Non-GMO Vegetable Protein
• 100% Pure, Unflavored
• High in Branched Chain Amino Acids
• Allergen-Free, Soy & Dairy Free
• High Solubility, Easy to Digest
• Vegetarian Product
• All Natural - No Aspartame, No Sucralose, No Acesulfame-K

Peas are well known for being a rich source of highly bioavailable protein.  Additionally, they are free of common allergens.  Collectively, this makes pea protein an ideal source of post-workout nutrition for athletes who may have difficulty supplementing with other types of protein.  NOW® Sports Pea Protein is a Non-GMO vegetable protein isolate that contains an impressive 28 grams of easily-digested protein.  Each 1 scoop (33 g) serving typically contains over 4,800 mg of branched chain amino acids, and over 2,000 mg of L-Arginine.  NOW® Sports Pea Protein is 100% pure and natural, unflavored, and mixes easily into your favorite beverages.

Vitamin Life is based in Washington State and shipping could take up to 12 days. Looking forward to getting this product.

      Karen

INFLAMMATION & SUGAR

I've had several good weeks of relatively reduced pain with some improved mobility until this past Monday evening. The old familiar burning joint pain and stiffness returned. The exhaustion was immediate undoing the wellness I had been feeling.
Wednesday, as I rested in frustration and fatigue I reviewed if I had added different foods to my diet.
I had made some gluten free shortbread and shortbread cookies that required added white sugar. I had eaten corn for two days straight along with white potatoes. These foods I don't usually eat. Also I was having my banana each morning. 
Wednesday evening I started to investigate white sugar and high gylcemic foods. Voila!!
White sugar is a major culprit in the inflammatory process, along with high gylcemic foods such as the white potatoes, corn and banana I was eating.
Last night's supper was mashed sweet potatoe(which is Ok)with tofu sour cream and fresh cut vegetables. Thursday morning, no burning in my joints with less pain, some stiffness to my hips and shoulders and less fatigue.
Here's one of the many articles I researched.


Sugar and Inflammation

By Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

One of the reasons inflammation occurs is from a rapid rise in blood sugar, which causes biochemical changes in the cell. Staying away from sugar and high-glycemic (simple) carbohydrates, which the body rapidly converts to sugar, is one of the best ways to decrease inflammation. C-reactive protein (CPR) is a key factor of inflammation. In a major study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, people with elevated CRP levels were four and one-half times more likely to have a heart attack. Not only is elevated CRP more accurate than cholesterol in predicting heart attack risk, but high CRP levels have turned up in people with diabetes and pre-diabetes and in people who are overweight. [58, 59,61]

When blood sugar goes up rapidly, sugar can attach itself to collagen in a process called "glycosylation," or the Browning Reaction, increasing inflexible and inflammation. CRP is not found in foods. However, its levels in the body are strongly influenced by diet.

A recent study by Simin Liu, M.D., Ph.D., of the Harvard Medical School found that women who ate large amounts of high-glycemic (or diabetes promoting) carbohydrates, including potatoes, breakfast cereals, white bread, muffins, and white rice, had very high CRP levels. Women who ate a lot of these foods and were also overweight had the highest and most dangerous CRP levels. [62].

The body makes CRP from interleukin-6 (IL-6), a powerful inflammatory chemical. IL-6 is a key cell communication molecule, and it tells the body's immune system to go into asperity, releasing CRP and many other inflammation-causing substances. Being overweight increases inflammation because adipose cells, particularly those around the midsection, make large amounts of IL-6 and CRP. As blood sugar levels increase, so do IL-6 and CRP. Both overweight and high blood sugar levels increase the risk of heart disease, very likely because of the undercurrent of inflammation. [61].

The best way to deal with cravings is to very carefully control blood sugar and insulin by staying away from the simple carbohydrates and eating more protein. In a few days, blood sugar will stabilize and cravings will go away. Good (complexed) carbohydrates, which are low on the glycemic index include: apples, asparagus, beans, broccoli, blackberries, blueberries, cabbage, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, green beans, honeydew melon, kiwi, leafy greens, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, spinach, strawberries.

Bad (simple) carbohydrates, which are high on the glycemic index include: bananas, breads, carrots, cereals processed with added sugar, corn, French fries, French toast, fruit juices, mangoes, pancakes, papaya, pasta, peas, popcorn, white potatoes, white rice, sugar, waffles.

Dietary fats also influence inflammation. Most omega-6 fats, found in margarine and corn and safflower oils, are the basic building blocks of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2, two of several key inflammation-causing substances in the body. In contrast, omega-3 fats, found in fish, fish oils, and vegetables, have an inflammation-suppressing effect. [63]

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 fat that enhances the anti- inflammatory effect of omega-3 fats. Both GLA and omega-3 fish oils have been found helpful in arthritis and other inflammatory disorders. [64,65] GLA is found in leafy green vegetables and dietary supplements. Similarly, oleic acid, an omega-9 fat found in olive oil, walnut oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, canola oil, avocados, nut butters and macadamia nuts have anti-inflammatory properties.

Good sources of protein include: Fish such as sardines, salmon, cod, haddock, halibut, snapper and tuna. Meat and poultry include: turkey, chicken with no skin, occasional lean beef, lean pork and lean ham. Soy products are also a great source of protein. Also included are egg whites, low fat cottage cheese, milk and yogurt.
Copyright 2006 Andrew Pacholyk

L'Oreal's Response

I also asked L'Oreal if they had gluten derivative free makeup.

Here's the response:


We thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with us.

We must say that we cannot guarantee that materials in our products have not been, at some point in their manufacturing or processing, in contact with a gluten-containing ingredient.

If you have celiac disease, you need to be concerned with cosmetic products that go in or near your mouth (lipstick, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.).  If you are caring for a child with celiac disease, you may also be concerned about products used on their hands that might go in their mouth.

In general, if a product goes on your hair or on your skin, you do not need to be concerned because the protein that causes problems is too large to be absorbed through the skin. However, certain people claim to have had problems with skin lotions.

The following list of ingredients that are used in our products are those that contain wheat and other grains.  This list may also be used by the celiac patient to identify gluten-containing ingredients.  This list gives the standard industry names for ingredients as found in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary.

Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour Cyclodextrin Dextrin Dextrin Palmitate Hydrolyzed Malt Extract Hydrolyzed Oat Flour Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Hydrolyzed Wheat Flour Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/PVP Crosspolymer Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch Malt Extract Maltodextrin

Secale Cereale (Rye) Seed Flour Sodium C8-16 Isoalkylsuccinyl Wheat Protein Sulfonate Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Gluten Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Starch Wheat Amino Acids Wheat Germ Glycerides Wheat Germamidopropalkonium Chloride Wheat Protein Wheatgermamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate Yeast Extract

All the ingredients we use in a product are listed on the package or on the label of the product itself.  Comparing this list with the ingredients listed on our products will help you to identify the ingredients you would like to avoid.

We hope this information is helpful.  In doubt, we recommend that you consult with your physician.

P.S.: The same goes for the Maybelline products.

Best regards,

Line Miserere Consumer Care Center
L'Oréal Canada Inc. 1 800 287.0960 (x 2672) 

ECCO BELLA Products

This company sells natural organic GLUTEN FREE & VEGAN skin care products and makeup NOT tested on animals. 

Worth checking out at:
ECCO BELLA

GLUTEN FREE COSMETIC COUNTER

I was able to find this blog by Erika K. She has taken on the task of identifying gluten derivative free makeup. Thank you Erika.

Please check out Erika's info at Gluten Free Cosmetic Counter.

COVER GIRL MAKEUP FOUNDATION

I stopped wearing makeup years ago because it made my skin feel "dirty" and at times itchy, it now appears that it may have been related to gluten intolerance. This occurred with all sorts of brands and products.

I contacted Cover Girl makeup and asked them if they had gluten derivative free makeup available.
Sara from Cover Girl contacted me to let me know the following:

"I know how serious Celiac/Gluten disease is and hope I can help with your questions. If wheat or wheat extract is directly added to the formula, it will be listed in the Ingredient Statement on the label. If it isn't listed it isn't directly added to the product. If wheat or wheat extract is added to the perfume it will not be listed, but potentially present at very low levels. If you are concerned try using our fragrance free products. Here is a list of foundations, but if you have a question about a specific product please let me know.

Fragrance Free Foundation:
Clean Oil Control
Clean Sensitive Skin
Fresh Complexion Pocket Powder foundation
COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Foundation
COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Serum Primer
Simply Powder Foundation
Smoothers All-Day Hydrating Makeup
Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Moisture
TruBlend MicroMinerals Foundation
TruBlend Liquid Makeup
TruBlend Whipped Foundation
Ultimate Finish Liquid Powder

I hope this helps! :)
Sara"

Sara was very helpful.
I've also asked Sara about blush, cover sticks or creams, eyeliners, mascara, lip glosses and lipstick.
For any make up I do purchase I'll be taking a list of gluten derivatives from page 171 & 172 from Elisabeth Hasselbeck's book "The G Free Diet". Get a copy of the GLUTEN FREE DERIVATIVES here.
I'll post that info when I recieve it.
After all harvesting my life includes not just feeling healthy, but feeling good about how you look and the quality of your life.

Another article from Science Daily about the roll that viral infections may play in the development of  gluten intolerance.
 As a young adult while homesteading in rural Manitoba I had giardia infection(this is an intestinal parasite usually aquired from untreated or poorly treated water).
This was in addition to lifelong problems with digestion and elimination, which I thought was normal. My one sister and my father were the same.

Virus Infections May Be Contributing Factor in Onset of Gluten Intolerance

ScienceDaily (Mar. 7, 2010) — Recent research findings indicate a possible connection between virus infections, the immune system and the onset of gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease.

 

A research project in the Academy of Finland's Research Program on Nutrition, Food and Health (ELVIRA) has brought new knowledge on the hereditary nature of gluten intolerance and identified genes that carry a higher risk of developing the condition. Research has shown that the genes in question are closely linked with the human immune system and the occurrence of inflammations, rather than being connected with the actual breakdown of gluten in the digestive tract.
"Some of the genes we have identified are linked with human immune defense against viruses. This may indicate that virus infections may be connected in some way with the onset of gluten intolerance," says Academy Research Fellow Päivi Saavalainen, who has conducted research into the hereditary risk factors for gluten intolerance.
Saavalainen explains that the genes that predispose people to gluten intolerance are very widespread in the population and, as a result, they are only a minor part of the explanation for the way in which gluten intolerance is inherited. However, the knowledge of the genes behind gluten intolerance is valuable in itself, as it helps researchers explore the reasons behind gluten intolerance, which in turn builds potential for developing new treatments and preventive methods. This is essential, because the condition is often relatively symptom-free, yet it can have serious complications unless treated.
Researchers have localized the risk genes by using data on patients and on entire families. The material in the Finnish study is part of a very extensive study of thousands of people with gluten intolerance and control groups in nine different populations. The research will be published in a forthcoming issue of Nature Genetics.
Research into hereditary conditions has made great progress over the past few years. Gene researchers now face their next challenge, as a closer analysis is now needed of the risk factors in the genes that predispose people to gluten intolerance. It is important to discover how they impact on gene function and what part they play in the onset of gluten intolerance.
Gluten intolerance is an autoimmune reaction in the small intestine. Roughly one in a hundred Finns suffer from this condition. The gluten that occurs naturally in grains such as wheat, barley and rye causes damage to the intestinal villi, problems with nutrient absorption and potentially other problems too. Gluten intolerance is an inherited predisposition, and nearly all sufferers carry the genes that play a key part in the onset of the condition. The only known effective treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet.

CELIAC DISEASE & CROHN'S DISEASE Share Part of their Genetic Link

I found some interesting information about studies that are indicating that Celiac Disease and Crohn's Disease have genetic links.
The website Science Daily has many articles covering a variety of topics.

The article they posted was:

Celiac Disease and Crohn's Disease Share Part of Their Genetic Background

ScienceDaily (Jan. 30, 2011) — An investigation has found that celiac disease and Crohn's disease, both inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, share at least four genetic risk loci. Together, researchers from the University of Groningen, The Netherlands; the Broad Institute, USA; the Université de Montréal and Montreal Heart Institute in Canada performed a combined meta-analysis of genome-wide data for celiac disease and Crohn's disease. This meta-analysis, published in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics on January 27, has identified two new shared risk loci and two shared risk loci that had previously been independently identified for each disease.

The pathogenesis of both celiac disease and Crohn's disease is only partly understood, although it is known that they are affected by both genetic and environmental risk factors. At least one in every hundred individuals in the Western world develop celiac disease; Crohn's disease is much less common but can be accompanied by more severe symptoms as it can affect the whole gastrointestinal tract. Celiac patients develop an inflammation of the small bowel in reaction to gluten, whereas there is no specific known autoantigen for Crohn's disease.

However, the primary cause of Crohn's disease is thought to be a dysregulated immune response to gut bacteria. In order to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis and to aid in developing therapies against these disorders, knowledge of the genetic background of the diseases is vital.
As it has previously been shown that celiac patients are at a higher risk of developing Crohn's disease than non-sufferers, it had been thought that the two illnesses would share genetic risk loci. This study combined the results from the genetic investigations into both diseases to show that part of the genetic background of Crohn's disease and celiac disease is shared, which confirms a common pathogenesis for these disorders. Although additional studies will be necessary to understand the mechanisms by which these variants influence both Crohn's disease and celiac, the current study provides a proof of principle that risk factors shared across related diseases can be identified by directly combining genetic data from clinically distinct diseases.

GRAPE SEED OIL used as Skin Moisturizer

The other night I used a moisturizer on my face that didn't appear to have any gluten derivatives. I began to have blotches start on my face but strangely enough no itching. I washed my face quickly and didn't put anything else on my face that night.

I remember that my Dad used to use olive oil to moisturize his feet (he had diabetes). I use olive oil daily in my foods but I didn't want to smell "olive oily".

I do have grape seed oil so I looked up the benefits for skin. Here's what I found at this website.

Benefits of Grape Seed Oil

Grape seed oil has the same antioxidants as green tea, black tea, berries and red wine.

The benefits of grape seed oil can do wonders for your skin and health.

The antioxidants in the oil are called procyanidolic oligomers (PCO’s), known for their health giving properties, and are more powerful than vitamin C and vitamin E. 

Grape seed oil is made by cold-pressing the grape seeds, after they have been used to make wine.  It is used in many facial and body care products, and is known for its anti aging effects.

It is very rich in vitamins, minerals and protein, and can be found in many products such as; soaps, hair care, cosmetics, facial creams, body creams, bath oils, lip balms and anything else you can think of.

Grapeseed oil contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants.

Polyphenols can help slow the process of aging, as well as having anti inflammatory and anti oxidant properties, which makes it great for helping clear up acne. 

Using this oil will help prevent pores clogging and breakouts, it is good for oily skin as well.

Using the grapeseed oil in skin care products helps to tone and tighten the skin.

Grapeseed oil contains a high amount of linoleic acid, which is a fatty acid essential for the health of the skin and cell membranes.

This is the reason why it makes such a wonderful moisturizer, as it really nourishes your skin helping keep it smooth and subtle.

It is known for its ability to lock in moisture, leaving your skin feeling more supple and smooth, and it does not leave a greasy feeling, which makes it ideal to use on all skin types.

The nutrients in grape seed oil are easily absorbed into the skin, instead of sitting on top of the skin, this also helps to fight free radicals and stop some of the enzymes that destroy collagen, elastin and other connective tissue.

As it is a natural oil, it will inhibit problems such as fine lines and wrinkles, caused by the loss of collagen and elastin.  Along with vitamin C, grapeseed oil is able to help the  skin with the production of collagen.

There are plenty of products you can use to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, but most of these products are only temporary.  Whereas, a natural oil like grape seed can offer a more permanent solution.

As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen, which is the cause of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes.  So, it makes sense to use a natural oil like grapeseed to help beat the aging process, and keep you looking younger.

And best yet it has a nice light smell, barely noticeable, my skin absorbs it fully and doesn't feel greasy. A little goes a long way.

Also, I buy it at my local grocery store next to the olive oil. No worries about a gluten/allergy response.

I think I'm going to scent the oil with a floral note. I'll be checking out the scented oils at my natural food store.