How Free is Free???

JoeG · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 1

I was just diagnosed by Endoscopic Biopsy as having CD. I have no symptoms other than weight loss over Two year period. (178lbs to 155lbs)...
Is 100% GF necessary I can easily do 95% ( not having to worry about crumbs and clean cutting boards)

Help
Joe G

skbird · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 245 Location: California

Hi Joe. Any amount of gluten will cause damage. It's possible that the longer you go gluten free, the more you will notice any cheats or cross-contaminations, too. Gluten sets off a chain reaction in your body so any amount at all will get it started and then the reaction will build and build until it is attacking your body. I never really noticed having specific reactions - other than some mild nausea after eating gluten foods before - now I can have one crumb lost in my salad and not realize it and be sick for over a week. I've been told it would be the same reaction if I had a crumb or a slice of bread. I think it would be faster if there was more involved.

I didn't think I'd worry about crumbs at first as I don't even have an official diagnosis but now I wipe down counters before putting any food on them. I also put parchement on my cookie sheets before baking anything. It takes some perseverence but it's worth it to not feel sick.
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Stephanie

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8098 Location: WI, USA

Hey Joe... (hmmm sounds like the beginnng of a Jimi Hendrix tune Smile

)

Welcome!!

Just like Stephanie said...any gluten is too much gluten.

Here are some other thread we discussed this very issue if you haven't seen them:

http://www.celiacforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=415&highlight=strict
http://www.celiacforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=46&highlight=strict

Hope you hang out and learn as much as you can!
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa