Simply Algarve August 2020

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Body & Mind

THE LOGIC BEHIND GLUTEN-FREE Janet Shook is here to guide you on your journey and make sure you are always working towards a healthier body and mind

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o, you moved to the Algarve for the good weather, great wine, fresh fish, and of course, the delicious bread.

We all love bread, and over thousands of years, we have naturally selected the plumpest grains of wheat to make our softest bread. These chubby wheat grains just happen to be exceptionally high in gluten. And this gluten is not doing us any good. I am sorry to have to tell you this, but does it help that you can keep the good weather, wine, and fish? Gluten is a general name for the proteins in many grains in the wheat family; wheat, barley, rye and triticale. These proteins naturally irritate the colon. You don’t need to have Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity for gluten to create the chemical reaction that causes permeability in the intestines. Once your intestines are perforated, chronic illness and discomfort will set in. I have a cousin who is a successful diagnostician in the U.S. He admitted to me that if he ever had a client with “unexplainable body pain or mysterious inflammation” he would take away gluten and dairy. “Janet”, He said in a hushed tone, “It works nearly all the time”! As a doctor, he figured out that gluten and dairy create an inflammatory response in many people, and it can show up anywhere in the body. Why? Because the proteins from the gluten and dairy enter the bloodstream, and blood goes everywhere. This means migraine headaches, joint inflammation, skin rashes,

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cellulite.. the list goes on… all could be linked to gluten (or other inflammatory foods). Something as simple (Simple does not mean easy!) as giving up gluten will almost certainly lead to decreased body pain, the weight loss you’ve always wanted, increased focus, and elevated mood amongst other possible benefits. Feeling the full benefits of giving up gluten might take several weeks to months, as the inflammation can stay long after the spaghetti has gone. I would not go back to eating gluten for anything. I feel the difference in the way I look, think, and feel, and although it was difficult at first, it is absolutely worth it. Here are my top tips for cutting gluten out of your diet; Substitute bread for something similar (Gluten free bread, rice crackers, etc.), always have a back-up plan for when the cravings hit, and don’t walk into the bakery when you’re hungry. If you have more questions about diet and lifestyle or would like to talk to me more, just be in touch. Helping people through these lifestyle changes is my passion and profession! You can reach her through the following channels: www.janetshook.com Janet_shook@yahoo.com Instagram: Janet Shook Facebook: Janet Shook Wellness and Yoga Linked In: Janet Shook +(351) 927 393 217

August 2020


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