Gluten sensitivity and intestinal cancer connection

2bhealed
2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi Semis! (and krista since you asked)

As many of you know, the nutrition/cancer connection is something that I continuously study and research as I dig to find out the WHY of contracting cancer in my own life. If I can find out the WHY (root cause), then I have a better chance of keeping from getting it again. That's how I see it.

Well, last summer/fall when I had those scary allergic reactions that landed me in the ER four times, it was time to dig deeper into the issue of inflammation. I have always read that inflammation of some kind is a main cause in most diseases.

My daughter had been tested for her own allergies, and gluten sensitivity/intolerance came up positive. So it was time to educate myself on her diet and I decided to be in solidarity with her and do it too. (I have since learned that if one person in the family has it chances are many of them do).

In reading about a gluten-free regime a whole lot of amazing information jumped out and grabbed me big time. The granddaddy HUGE issue was that gluten intolerance/celiac sprue can cause adenocarcinoma of the small intestine. Now, you have to understand that in the 8++ years that I have been studying the nutrition/cancer connection I have NEVER seen this cancer come up. It's what my sister died from in 1994 after years of being misdiagnosed.

Celiac/gluten intolerance can cause a host of problems that come out as things like IBS, lupus, MS, RA, depression, fibromyalgia, type 2 diabetes....CANCER!

So of course I just can't keep this info to myself for what it's worth.

Gluten is a protein found in certain grains and it can destroy the lining of the small intestine making a permeable gut (leaky gut) which then allows particles to escape into the bloodstream and the body sees it as a foreign object and attacks it. (I am really paraphrasing here). Then the inflammation/auto-immune issues start.

Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley, oat, triticale, spelt, kamut, malt, HPP, HVP, MSG, TPP, TVP, natural flavors, food starch, modified food starch, veg starch and MEDICATIONS.

If interested you may want to check it out to see if you're gluten intolerant or not. You may not have typical symptoms either, or just try a gluten free diet and see if you get some relief from diarrhea or gas or bloated stomach or constipation or hot flashes. What do you have to lose?

The book I'm reading is called Dangerous Grains by Dr. James Braly and Ron Hoggan, M.A.

Let me know if this helps anyone!

peace, emily
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Comments

  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    Bummer
    It sounds so horrilbe, Emily. I've been hearing more and more about celiac disease, and it was one of the things i considered whilst trying to diagnose myself before the cancer was found. I'm very interested in knowing what you're eating in place of gluten. I know i can use zucchini in place of spaghetti noodles (i love my spiralizer). Do you have any suggestions for bread replacements? I stopped eating pizza last year because of the way it would just sit in my stomach until i had to throw it up. Even whole wheat items feel too heavy in my tummy. I'm ready to find an alternative to it all.

    I started juicing again this morning and it gave me such a rush of energy, i actually weed whipped the whole backyard! I'm really leaning towards doing nothing but juicing, at least for a while. I don't know why it doesn't satisfy me completely?

    Hugs!
    Krista
  • PamPam2
    PamPam2 Member Posts: 370 Member
    Gluten
    Hi Emily
    I was tested for celiac disease too. One thing I found out that is interesting is that wooden cooking utensils, wood bowls etc. will release gluten into your food, and I used wooden cooking spoons, and wood serving bowls my whole life. Just a heads up since you are trying to avoid gluten in your daughter's diet. I guess wood contains an amount of gluten, that is released especially with heat.
    Pam
  • P_I_T_A
    P_I_T_A Member Posts: 133
    Not sure about the grains?
    I had a consulation with a nutritionist before I started my chemo tx. She said that whole grains were good for my diet. I already ate wheat bread, so didn't have to change from white. Also, all the pastas that we eat now are whole grain. Brown rice instead of white rice as well. Now I'm confused.

    -DJ
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member

    Bummer
    It sounds so horrilbe, Emily. I've been hearing more and more about celiac disease, and it was one of the things i considered whilst trying to diagnose myself before the cancer was found. I'm very interested in knowing what you're eating in place of gluten. I know i can use zucchini in place of spaghetti noodles (i love my spiralizer). Do you have any suggestions for bread replacements? I stopped eating pizza last year because of the way it would just sit in my stomach until i had to throw it up. Even whole wheat items feel too heavy in my tummy. I'm ready to find an alternative to it all.

    I started juicing again this morning and it gave me such a rush of energy, i actually weed whipped the whole backyard! I'm really leaning towards doing nothing but juicing, at least for a while. I don't know why it doesn't satisfy me completely?

    Hugs!
    Krista

    Bread, pasta and the like
    Hi Krista,

    There are many Gluten Free items at grocery stores now. Bob's Red Mill makes baking mix, pancake mix, bread mix, pizza mix all Gluten Free! I've been buying a gluten free bread mix from Hodgkins (?) Mill that the girls really like. I don't eat it since it has raw sugar in it, but for those times when you just really want to make some pizza.

    I make wicked good gluten free vegan waffles that my family just loves.

    There are quinoa or rice or corn noodles that you can buy for pasta.

    If you go on line there are GF websites that give some good ideas. I joined a GF group on FB too.

    I don't just juice--I eat too! I'm not eating any grains at all but that has to do with the low histamine/low allergy regime that I have been following post allergic reaction stuff. that's another story.....

    peace, emily
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    PamPam2 said:

    Gluten
    Hi Emily
    I was tested for celiac disease too. One thing I found out that is interesting is that wooden cooking utensils, wood bowls etc. will release gluten into your food, and I used wooden cooking spoons, and wood serving bowls my whole life. Just a heads up since you are trying to avoid gluten in your daughter's diet. I guess wood contains an amount of gluten, that is released especially with heat.
    Pam

    Oh yeah!
    Thanks for the tip! I had forgotten that! Better remove my wooden spoons.
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    P_I_T_A said:

    Not sure about the grains?
    I had a consulation with a nutritionist before I started my chemo tx. She said that whole grains were good for my diet. I already ate wheat bread, so didn't have to change from white. Also, all the pastas that we eat now are whole grain. Brown rice instead of white rice as well. Now I'm confused.

    -DJ

    Grains
    Right, we should be eating whole grains but what this book says is to stay away from the gluten grains like wheat especially. Rice is fine. It's not a gluten grain. We should stay away from whites (white sugar, white flour, white grains) anyway.

    The whole grains issue is that is has the germ, the fiber etc and isn't AS processed as white bleached flours which have NO nutritional value and actually rob us of vitality.

    But what Dr. Braly is saying is all about the protein (gluten) found in some grains that damage our small intestines and cause big problems.

    He also points out that the highest incidences of cancers occur in areas of greatest grain harvesting. The rise in cancers among populations coincide with gluten grain consumption. Gluten grains also act as opiates in our systems and we crave them. I can SO relate to that one!

    In the past celiac and gluten intolerance have been thought to be more rare, but they're finding out this isn't the case; and people are going misdiagnosed or are being diagnosed with other problems like the ones i listed above, but the ROOT cause is not being addressed.

    Does this help your confusion at all? I hope so. Let me know.

    peace, emily
  • lesvanb
    lesvanb Member Posts: 905
    Wheat sensitivity
    Re: the gluten/fibro/chronic fatigue/cancer connection from your other post

    I had discovered that wheat, dairy, sodas, and sugar the stuff that caused intense joint pain before I was diagnosed with fibro. That was about 10 years ago-2000. Fibro dx 05. rectal cancer dx 08. I don't think I have celiac though was not tested, because I can eat oatmeal, spelt, sprouted grains though I eat far more rice, quinoa, beans, lentils etc. I have noticed since being NED that the wheat sensitivity has diminished though I still say clear. the lactose intolerance remains.

    I was just talking today to my gynecologist who's been with me through all this, and she and I were pondering the inflammation connection to heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, fibro and of course cancer.

    By the way I had a great yearly vaginal exam after months of dealing with vaginal dryness after radiation. Love those suppositories my naturopath has me on! (mostly beeswax)

    all the best, Leslie
  • Mchapp
    Mchapp Member Posts: 95
    lesvanb said:

    Wheat sensitivity
    Re: the gluten/fibro/chronic fatigue/cancer connection from your other post

    I had discovered that wheat, dairy, sodas, and sugar the stuff that caused intense joint pain before I was diagnosed with fibro. That was about 10 years ago-2000. Fibro dx 05. rectal cancer dx 08. I don't think I have celiac though was not tested, because I can eat oatmeal, spelt, sprouted grains though I eat far more rice, quinoa, beans, lentils etc. I have noticed since being NED that the wheat sensitivity has diminished though I still say clear. the lactose intolerance remains.

    I was just talking today to my gynecologist who's been with me through all this, and she and I were pondering the inflammation connection to heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, fibro and of course cancer.

    By the way I had a great yearly vaginal exam after months of dealing with vaginal dryness after radiation. Love those suppositories my naturopath has me on! (mostly beeswax)

    all the best, Leslie

    What kind of Doc
    Who (waht) doc do you ask to test for gluten sensitivity? Colon? Family? And what kind of tests should be preformed?

    Great infomation...Thanks for sharing!

    Michelle
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    Mchapp said:

    What kind of Doc
    Who (waht) doc do you ask to test for gluten sensitivity? Colon? Family? And what kind of tests should be preformed?

    Great infomation...Thanks for sharing!

    Michelle

    Doctors
    Good question Michelle. I suppose you find the doctor who will take you seriously and not pooh-pooh your request. My neurosurgeon pooh-poohed my mom's question to him (when I was suffering from severe migraines)when she asked if they could be food related. HA! They were but he looked at her like she was a nut case and said definitely NOT! I get migraines from sugar and dairy and popcorn. So there! She took me to a holistic osteopath who did a 7 hour glucose tolerance test and he's the one who found my allergies.

    There are blood tests you can do--ELISA--which is what my daughter had done (through a chiropractor) and intestinal biopsies for the celiac.

    Too many doctors just want to look the other way when it comes to nutrition and foods and diseases. To me it's a no-brainer, but then again I don't practice medicine and get enormous kickbacks for all the meds I get people to take.....there lies the rub.

    peace, emily
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    2bhealed said:

    Doctors
    Good question Michelle. I suppose you find the doctor who will take you seriously and not pooh-pooh your request. My neurosurgeon pooh-poohed my mom's question to him (when I was suffering from severe migraines)when she asked if they could be food related. HA! They were but he looked at her like she was a nut case and said definitely NOT! I get migraines from sugar and dairy and popcorn. So there! She took me to a holistic osteopath who did a 7 hour glucose tolerance test and he's the one who found my allergies.

    There are blood tests you can do--ELISA--which is what my daughter had done (through a chiropractor) and intestinal biopsies for the celiac.

    Too many doctors just want to look the other way when it comes to nutrition and foods and diseases. To me it's a no-brainer, but then again I don't practice medicine and get enormous kickbacks for all the meds I get people to take.....there lies the rub.

    peace, emily

    NO sugar
    I read, I mean heard... the same in the anti cancer book....... I am going to try and find agave sap to use as a sweetner, it comes highly recommended. I don't use sugar but if I should want a lemonaid I can use it. I also read/heard that you should use 7 grain bread instead of all wheat bread.
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    Nana b said:

    NO sugar
    I read, I mean heard... the same in the anti cancer book....... I am going to try and find agave sap to use as a sweetner, it comes highly recommended. I don't use sugar but if I should want a lemonaid I can use it. I also read/heard that you should use 7 grain bread instead of all wheat bread.

    Ezekial
    There's an Ezekial bread that's sprouted and wonderful but I don't use it anymore due to it having some gluten. (it's better than other breads on the market tho' if one is going to eat bread).
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    Did not know about the
    Did not know about the wooden spoons. I'm going to message our oldest son right away.

    Scott saw a specialist at Sir Walter Reed. A gastro... after seeing 4 other gastros...
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    2bhealed said:

    Bread, pasta and the like
    Hi Krista,

    There are many Gluten Free items at grocery stores now. Bob's Red Mill makes baking mix, pancake mix, bread mix, pizza mix all Gluten Free! I've been buying a gluten free bread mix from Hodgkins (?) Mill that the girls really like. I don't eat it since it has raw sugar in it, but for those times when you just really want to make some pizza.

    I make wicked good gluten free vegan waffles that my family just loves.

    There are quinoa or rice or corn noodles that you can buy for pasta.

    If you go on line there are GF websites that give some good ideas. I joined a GF group on FB too.

    I don't just juice--I eat too! I'm not eating any grains at all but that has to do with the low histamine/low allergy regime that I have been following post allergic reaction stuff. that's another story.....

    peace, emily

    Brown rice pasta
    is really good........takes longer to cook (18 minutes) but I can't tell the difference from the other.

    Lisa P.
  • kristasplace
    kristasplace Member Posts: 957 Member
    2bhealed said:

    Bread, pasta and the like
    Hi Krista,

    There are many Gluten Free items at grocery stores now. Bob's Red Mill makes baking mix, pancake mix, bread mix, pizza mix all Gluten Free! I've been buying a gluten free bread mix from Hodgkins (?) Mill that the girls really like. I don't eat it since it has raw sugar in it, but for those times when you just really want to make some pizza.

    I make wicked good gluten free vegan waffles that my family just loves.

    There are quinoa or rice or corn noodles that you can buy for pasta.

    If you go on line there are GF websites that give some good ideas. I joined a GF group on FB too.

    I don't just juice--I eat too! I'm not eating any grains at all but that has to do with the low histamine/low allergy regime that I have been following post allergic reaction stuff. that's another story.....

    peace, emily

    fiber
    Hi Emily! Are the gluten free items still considered high fiber? I have such a problem with fiber because of the stricture, but it seems like i have a problem no matter what i eat. Some things are worse than others, and i gave up the raw diet because of all the fiber. The only things i've been eating are potato and cabbage soup with corn chips, and my carrot/apple/celery juice.I just bought a new box of malto meal a few days ago, and i'm totally bummed it's a wheat product.

    NanaB, the best agave is the blue agave. I've seen it at health food stores, but it's very expensive. Try www.sunfoodnutrition.com to compare prices.

    I think i will join that gluten group, Emily. I barely eat as it is, so i might as well give up gluten. lol!

    Hugs,
    Krista
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member

    fiber
    Hi Emily! Are the gluten free items still considered high fiber? I have such a problem with fiber because of the stricture, but it seems like i have a problem no matter what i eat. Some things are worse than others, and i gave up the raw diet because of all the fiber. The only things i've been eating are potato and cabbage soup with corn chips, and my carrot/apple/celery juice.I just bought a new box of malto meal a few days ago, and i'm totally bummed it's a wheat product.

    NanaB, the best agave is the blue agave. I've seen it at health food stores, but it's very expensive. Try www.sunfoodnutrition.com to compare prices.

    I think i will join that gluten group, Emily. I barely eat as it is, so i might as well give up gluten. lol!

    Hugs,
    Krista

    I hear ya honey
    For the past four months my diet has been very restricted but doable and I'm motivated because it made the allergic triggers stop. (not to mention the 27 pound weight loss I've needed to lose)!!!

    I eat sweet potatoes (but no white potatoes -- no nightshades) and tonight I oven "fried" them and they were soooo good! Can you do sweet pots or yams? They're soft and yummy. Too much fiber?

    the bread is Hodgsons Mill and is 3 grams fiber.

    I haven't checked the other items.

    It's worth a try for you i think.

    I'm here for ya honey!

    peace, emily
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member

    Did not know about the
    Did not know about the wooden spoons. I'm going to message our oldest son right away.

    Scott saw a specialist at Sir Walter Reed. A gastro... after seeing 4 other gastros...

    Gluten free
    I have been gluten free since my diagnosis in 2007 (Stage 4)My blood work (anti-Gliadian test) was negative but you can get false negatives. I decided to go gluten free anyway.I figured it is better for my overall health anyway. I am currently NED.

    It has been and adjustment for an Italian girl who loves to eat and cook but it gets easier once you find producuts you like. Gluten is is soooooo many things!! I am happy to answer any questions for anyone.

    And just FYI- P.F Changs has a great gluten free menu- even their lettuce wraps can be made gluten free YUMO!!

    Smiles,
    Dawn
  • fancythecat
    fancythecat Member Posts: 1
    Mchapp said:

    What kind of Doc
    Who (waht) doc do you ask to test for gluten sensitivity? Colon? Family? And what kind of tests should be preformed?

    Great infomation...Thanks for sharing!

    Michelle

    Gluten Sensitivity Testing
    My doctor had me do a test through Diagnos-Techs, Inc. in Tukwila, WA that showed numerous
    food allergies, inflamation, leaky gut syndrome. My other doctor was so impressed with the
    test, he ordered several for his other patients. Mine was extremely high, and becaue of this test, I went to have a colonoscopy and the doctor found a polyp that was resectioned
    and retrived. Now, I have to get rid of a cyst on the right kidney that is almost as large
    as the kidney itself. I have been on a gluten free diet for a couple of weeks on my own now, doing well, next week have an appointment with a dietition to be sure I am not making
    any mistakes on the diet. I have learned to eat the right things, and say NO to the other
    things I used to eat. Debra
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member

    Gluten Sensitivity Testing
    My doctor had me do a test through Diagnos-Techs, Inc. in Tukwila, WA that showed numerous
    food allergies, inflamation, leaky gut syndrome. My other doctor was so impressed with the
    test, he ordered several for his other patients. Mine was extremely high, and becaue of this test, I went to have a colonoscopy and the doctor found a polyp that was resectioned
    and retrived. Now, I have to get rid of a cyst on the right kidney that is almost as large
    as the kidney itself. I have been on a gluten free diet for a couple of weeks on my own now, doing well, next week have an appointment with a dietition to be sure I am not making
    any mistakes on the diet. I have learned to eat the right things, and say NO to the other
    things I used to eat. Debra

    Hi Debra
    Thanks for sharing your story. Would you please keep me posted with what your dietitian tells you. I'm doing this on my own with the help of books and internet info. It really does get easier the longer I go with this. OF course I don't eat out much to begin with and I'm already well versed in how to maneuver through a menu, so it's been pretty easy to stick with it since the payoff has been wonderful. Hope you find success too.

    Was your polyp cancerous?

    peace, emily
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    dmdwins said:

    Gluten free
    I have been gluten free since my diagnosis in 2007 (Stage 4)My blood work (anti-Gliadian test) was negative but you can get false negatives. I decided to go gluten free anyway.I figured it is better for my overall health anyway. I am currently NED.

    It has been and adjustment for an Italian girl who loves to eat and cook but it gets easier once you find producuts you like. Gluten is is soooooo many things!! I am happy to answer any questions for anyone.

    And just FYI- P.F Changs has a great gluten free menu- even their lettuce wraps can be made gluten free YUMO!!

    Smiles,
    Dawn

    Thanks!
    for sharing your story too. Do you also find gluten free body care products? I wonder about shampoo and my lotions that have wheat products (or nut oils) in them. Should we be avoiding all them as well? I realized this morning when I read the label that my Jason face cream has wheat germ in it. Since the skin is the largest organ we have I'm obviously absorbing the stuff. Is this a stupid question? Is it a "duh" of course you need to avoid body care products. HA!

    If so, do you have some to recommend?

    Thanks!

    peace, emily
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    dmdwins said:

    Gluten free
    I have been gluten free since my diagnosis in 2007 (Stage 4)My blood work (anti-Gliadian test) was negative but you can get false negatives. I decided to go gluten free anyway.I figured it is better for my overall health anyway. I am currently NED.

    It has been and adjustment for an Italian girl who loves to eat and cook but it gets easier once you find producuts you like. Gluten is is soooooo many things!! I am happy to answer any questions for anyone.

    And just FYI- P.F Changs has a great gluten free menu- even their lettuce wraps can be made gluten free YUMO!!

    Smiles,
    Dawn

    Yummy
    PF CHANGS!! Wow, we love their food. I order the garlic spinach, asparagus, and green beans, I used to order their garlic noodles, but since they are probably white flour, I stopped ordering them. Lettuce Wraps are awesome! A piece of my husband's spicy chicken is so sinful! lol, Jk