Is A Gluten-Free Diet Right For Me?

BY Lee McCaskill,
Excerpts from her new book called “Belly Bustin’ Tips” (tips you can use on any diet).

To Go Against the Grain or Not—That is the Question!
Many people go gluten-free to increase their energy level, but just eating more vegetables and fruits and limiting starches can give you a ton of energy without having to totally do without gluten. We have a gluten-free Belly Buster Diet at Before and After Weight Loss Clinics; but frankly, our clients get just as much of an increase in energy levels on the other menus.
Gluten Free Here are four reasons to go gluten-free and four reasons not to. Make up your own mind what is best for you.
Reasons for going Gluten-Free:
1. For managing Celiac Disease-with this autoimmune disease, even trace amounts of gluten cause the immune system to attack the small intestine and cause significant damage. Unmanaged and under repeated attack, the intestines lose ability to absorb nutrients and put you at risk for developing other autoimmune disorders and other problems.
2. For controlling Dermatitis Herpetiformis-DH is a form of celiac disease that attacks the skin, rather than the small intestine. Chronic itchy rashes that are symmetrical on each side of the body show up after eating gluten. If you have DH, you are at higher risk of intestinal cancer if you continue to eat gluten.
3. For reducing the symptoms of gluten sensitivity, which can range from a wheat allergy to an Irritable Bowel Syndrome problem to just gas and bloating.
4. For supporting a family member that has to go gluten-free, making it easier to cook and shop for the household.

Reasons for NOT to going Gluten-free:
1. For losing weight – it is probably the hardest diet to lose weight on because it is not easy to stick to, it is expensive, and most gluten-free products are high in carbs. Also, many gluten free products are processed foods versus their counterparts being natural whole foods. Gluten-free is tricky to do without missing out on important nutrients in your diet if you are not trained.
2. For eating healthier – it isn’t healthier, unless you are specifically going on it to manage a particular medical condition. What are you replacing the fiber you are losing with—is it enough? How about the carbohydrate intake? Do you know how much weight to lose and safe activity level for your medical condition? Is a dietitian, nutritionist, or weight loss professional supervising you? Know what you are doing before you decide.
3. For diagnosing your symptoms-don’t do gluten-free to find out on your own. See a doctor for a diagnosis while you are still eating a normal diet. The blood test used to diagnose celiac disease and DH depends on finding antibodies for gluten in your blood, but won’t if you have avoided gluten.
4. Because your best friend went gluten-free—chances are she/he won’t last on it long and when the next shiny object comes along, she/he will be jumping on that fad, too.

Go with your gut (no pun intended). If you want to go gluten-free, make sure you can afford this expensive diet, can live totally without wheat and other foods you have to give up rather than simply cut back on them, can live with the inconvenience and can learn enough about nutrition that you truly feel comfortable doing it. But, understand that it is not necessary for most people and that research does not support the many theories behind it. In fact, the man that helped make gluten–free diets popular, Dr. Peter Gibson, recently admitted in May 2014 that he may have gotten it wrong. It may not have been the gluten causing that gastric distress after all! Further research showed it was the sugars in the bread that were hard to digest, not the gluten, causing a problem!
As fad diets have proven time and time again, there are no short cuts to a balanced, healthy lifestyle.


Lee from Before And After Weight Loss

Lee McCaskill


About the author, Lee McCaskill is the owner of Before and After Weight Loss Clinics in Saint Lucie and Indian River Counties, and the nationwide diet program, Belly Buster Diet, Inc. In addition to being a Master Certified Weight Loss and Wellness Coach, Lee is a microbiologist and herbologist who formulates many of the companies’ unique products, including Tropical Spa Body Wraps. Lee encourages you to contact her for information or with your questions at (772) 429-1110 or (772) 562-3601, or visit web site: www.bestdietsource.com and fill out your health profile for a free metabolic assessment.



The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

HealthyMartin.com is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentists and alternative, organic & holistic health, fitness and sports professionals in the Treasure Coast areas of Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River County and the Palm Beaches of Florida.

“Healthy Martin, working together for better health choices for you, your family and friends”.

Are Food Allergies Making you Fat?

By Lee McCaskill

A wheat allergy should not be confused with “gluten intolerance” or celiac disease. A food allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a specific food protein. When the food protein is ingested, in can trigger an allergic reaction that may include a range of symptoms from mild symptoms such as rashes, hives, itching, and swelling to severe symptoms like trouble breathing, wheezing, or loss of consciousness. Even ears and throat itching at night can be a reaction from a food allergy in response to something you ate earlier in the day. A food allergy can even be potentially fatal.

Celiac disease, which affects the small intestine, is caused by an abnormal immune reaction to gluten. Usually diagnosed by a gastroenterologist, it is a digestive disease that can cause serious complications, including malnutrition and intestinal damage, when left untreated. Individuals with celiac disease must avoid gluten, found in wheat, rye, barley and sometimes oats.
People who are allergic to wheat often may tolerate other grains. However, about 20 percent of children with wheat allergy also are allergic to other grains. They should be tested to see what else they can tolerate.
Did you know that you can lose a significant amount of weight by cutting food allergens from your diet and taking probiotics? If you get rid of the inflammation and balance the bacterial ecosystem in your intestinal system, you will lose much more efficiently.
food allergies
When you eat a typical American diet, you foster the growth of bad bugs in the gut (stomach and intestines). They damage the gut lining and produce toxins that are absorbed into your system. Because of the damage, partially digested food particles also leak into your bloodstream. Then your immune system reacts to the toxins and foods, producing a firestorm of inflammation.
That inflammation then leads to a fatty liver and insulin resistance, which lead to higher levels of insulin in your body. And insulin is a fat-storage, disease- and aging-promoting hormone. The unhealthy gut makes us fat and sick because it makes us toxic and inflamed.

Here are a three steps to eliminate food allergens and re-balance your intestinal flora:
1) Try an elimination diet for 3 weeks. Cut out the most common food allergens, including gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, yeast, and peanuts and/or those foods to which you know you are allergic. Add back one at a time. I was able to add back eggs, peanuts and most gluten except for wheat.
2) Eat a whole-foods, plant-based, high-fiber diet. This is essential to feed the good bugs in your gut and to provide the nutrients you need to functional optimally.
3) Take probiotics daily to boost the healthy bacteria in your gut. Look for a reputable brand of probiotic that contains both bifidobacteria and lactobacillus species. We have them in my clinics.
Within a very few short weeks—even if you do nothing else—you will see a dramatic difference that comes from healing your gut.Remember, if you want to get rid of that gut, you have to fix your gut.
Products I recommend you try during your 3 week elimination diet:
Pamela’s Baking Mix (It’s gluten-free)
Crunchmaster Crackers (from Sam’s)
Before and After Probiotics (available at any of our clinics)
Before and After Protein Weight Loss Shakes (available at any of our clinics)


Lee from Before And After Weight Loss

Lee McCaskill


About the author, Lee McCaskill is the owner of Before and After Weight Loss Clinics in Saint Lucie and Indian River Counties, and the nationwide diet program, Belly Buster Diet, Inc. In addition to being a Master Certified Weight Loss and Wellness Coach, Lee is a microbiologist and herbologist who formulates many of the companies’ unique products, including Tropical Spa Body Wraps. Lee encourages you to contact her for information or with your questions at (772) 429-1110 or (772) 562-3601, or visit web site: www.bestdietsource.com and fill out your health profile for a free metabolic assessment.



The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

HealthyMartin.com is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentist and alternative, organic & holistic health in the Treasure Coast areas of Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River County and the Palm Beaches of Florida.

“Healthy Martin, working together for better health choices for you, your family and friends”.