So the worst has happened – you have a glutened stomach. You’ve had an unfortunate, unintentional exposure to gluten that’s also known as “glutening” or “being glutened.” And now you need to sort it out.
It’s hard to guard against. About 1/64 of a teaspoon of gluten – less than a visible crumb – can cause severe discomfort to someone with gluten sensitivity, and severe intestinal damage to a celiac.
Perhaps it took place on Sunday when you and your friends had brunch at a restaurant that did not ensure their menu was gluten-free. Or maybe you ate those delicious flour-free cookies your grandma insisted you have. You might even be completely unsure how it really happened and have been accidentally glutened.
Many of those who are sensitive to gluten – or have been diagnosed with autoimmune disease celiac and follow a strict diet – have been there and been “glutened.”
How to Help Ease a Glutened Stomach
So, if you’re wondering what to do when you accidentally eat gluten, here are five quick gluten-attack remedies that you can start right away:
1 Drink More Water!
You might be surprised to learn that several drinks actually contain or have “hidden” gluten in them, particularly beer and malts. For this reason, it’s best to stick to drinking water when you’re gluten-free, especially if you’ve been exposed to gluten.
Water is also known for assisting in the removal of negative toxins from the body, so drinking more water daily may ease and help you cope with the symptoms of gluten exposure.
2 Epsom Salt Baths
These are known for relieving inflammation and easing pain. Epsom salt baths help cope with the digestive issues and joint pain that happen after the consumption of gluten. This is attributed to magnesium, a mineral notorious for relaxing the muscles and relieving aches. It’s also an effective way to reduce migraine headaches, detoxify your body of free radicals, and is a great anti-inflammatory.
Following gluten exposure, you should begin by taking an Epsom salt bath two to three times per week. Some of the best-selling ones include Epsoak and Dr. Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution.
3 Sleep More
Due to the chronic fatigue that accompanies a glutened stomach, restorative sleep plays a vital role in the recovery of the human body. During sleep, blood flow travels directly to our muscles, repairing tissue and increasing cell production. This facilitates the healing process.
Reducing physically demanding activities and increasing your sleep hours after ingesting gluten accidentally might just be the key to easing glutened symptoms.
4 Probiotic Supplements
Although not every probiotic serves the same purpose, most of them are dairy-free capsules that provide relief for recurring intestinal distress and produce natural antifungals. These supplements also stimulate the immune system while strengthening the lining of the gut.
5 Take Turmeric/Enhansa
Also known as Curcumin. This popular Indian spice is a great and effective antioxidant. It not only helps the body get rid of negative toxins but also has several anti-viral and anti-fungal properties, resulting in the reduction of inflammation and swelling. These supplements are available as compounded capsules, organic powder, culinary spice, and even tea!
And now you know the top five tips on how to flush gluten out of your body!
NAVA has a team of advanced degree Functional Nutritionists ready and waiting to help you with problems like a glutened stomach. Contact us today at 800-672-6282 to arrange an appointment. Your journey to health starts here.
But if you’d like to understand gluten a bit more – what might contain it, and possible symptoms of gluten sensitivity – read on, because gluten is all-pervasive in today’s world and difficult to avoid!
What is Gluten?
Gluten is in almost every product right now so, the chance for cross-contamination is high. It’s a very cheap ingredient that many companies put into their products as either a binder or filler.
Although the goal of every celiac or gluten-sensitive person may be to go gluten-free, and stop consuming gluten, it can be rather challenging.
This is why:
- Gluten is used in most medications as a filler, binder or thickener.
- Gluten can be used in some supplements as a filler, binder or thickener too!
- You could be sensitive to gluten and not even know it.
- Some beauty products and cosmetics have gluten-based ingredients.
- Vegetable broth may have gluten in it unless it is “gluten-free.”
- Skin products like creams and sunscreens might have gluten.
- Some forms of alcohol have gluten.
Signs of gluten sensitivity include:
- Skin irritations
- Headaches
- Brain Fog
- Weird cravings
- Belly bloat
- Acne
- Eczema
- ADD
- Constipation
- And more
Gluten and Celiac Disease
Ana Goldseker, Director of Nutrition at Nava, knows gluten clearly makes celiac worse, but she says: “What most do not realize is that it could also bring inflammation if other grains are refined.”
In other words, pain, bloating, and inflammation can occur at any time even if you have a gluten-free diet and eat gluten-free products. When the diagnosis reads celiac, an elimination diet might be able to take away some of the confusion, alleviate symptoms of glutening, and in time, allow intestinal damage to heal.
So, avoiding all “gluten-free” and gluten-containing products for a time will help bring things into balance. And then, starting with non-gluten grains (i.e. not wheat, barley or rye, for example) and unprocessed foods might be the way to go.
If your symptoms are very intense, then getting off-grain altogether might be the answer, even if only for a few months.
Gluten has no essential nutrients, so if it’s given you a glutened stomach, follow our tips above and ease your discomfort.
Receive Gluten Intolerance Treatment from Nava Health
If you have symptoms of a glutened stomach, you do NOT have to suffer. There are ways to feel great and enjoy your food. Meeting with a nutrition expert who can coach you around a customized eating plan helps ease symptoms of glutened.
Do you want to learn more about celiac disease and gluten-free living? NAVA believes nutrition is fundamental to our health and can prevent and reverse disease. As we said, NAVA has a team of advanced degree Functional Nutritionists ready and waiting to help you achieve optimal health and wellness.
This could be the first step to a real, healthy diet and lifestyle. Start with a no-obligation phone consult today by contacting us at 800-672-6282. Your journey to health starts here!