The G-Free Decision

People often ask me why I went gluten free. It's simple. I have Multiple Sclerosis, an autoimmune disease. Many autoimmune diseases have been linked to food intolerances, causing "leaky gut". Undigested particles leak into your blood stream and cause a reaction. So when a body has an intolerance or allergy to a food (like gluten for example), the body will have a reaction, and can  cause leaky gut, then later an autoimmune disease.

When I was first diagnosed, I wondered if there was anything I could have done to prevent it or to stop it. I wanted to talk to my future self to see if there was anything I could have done better based on research. Unfortunately that isn't possible. So I began researching lifestyle and nutritional choices that have have a positive effect on those with autoimmune diseases. By the grace of God, Terri, a health coach who also has an autoimmune disease, gave me information and walked me through all the stages of going gluten free.

And I've never felt better.

So what are the differences I've seen?

• My doctors said that because of my MS, I'd likely have permanent damage to my optic nerve, but that has gone away. 
• My hands used to burn (like a sunburn) when I exercised when I ran, but that has gone away.
• I was diagnosed with Raynaud's because my fingers used to be red, while the rest of my hands were a normal shade of peach. But that has gone away.
• Plus other changes in how my body functions

Why do I attribute these changes to being gluten-free? The days I eat something with gluten, I feel the burning in my hands and redness in my fingers. Then after the marathon I began eating regular pizza, donuts and cookies. My eye started messing up again within 3 days, nearly like it did when I was diagnosed. I have no doubt that it was because of the gluten.

Going gluten-free was the best decision for me. I truly feel like this lifestyle change is revolutionary, especially for those with auto-immune diseases! Of course there are some struggles, temptations and critics along the way, but at the end of the day, my body can see and run the way the Lord created it.

Plus I still eat delicious food!

from my instagram

If I could give any advice to someone with an autoimmune disease it would be to go gluten-free! It can be tough, but not as tough as life with an autoimmune disease!

Stay tuned for more tips on going gluten-free!