All about gluten with Dr. Tim Gerstmar (ND).

Due to a family emergency, our meeting venue has changed, and we will not be meeting at Dan and Amanda's this month after all. Instead, we'll be meeting at Firefly Kitchens (where we had last month's field trip). Julie is on a well-deserved vacation, and Richard is manning Firefly by himself for the next 3 weeks. So let's support Richard and thank him for doing us this big favor by turning out in force at Firefly's volunteer times (especially over the next 3 weeks)! You can sign up to receive notice of volunteer times here -

Firefly Kitchens, LLC
richard@fireflykitchens.com
cell: 415-652-4140
main: 206-436-8399
www.fireflykitchens.com (http://www.fireflykitchens.com/)

Please bring a folding camp chair if you have one. And we'll need one or two folks to come early to help clean and set up. Thanks!

Gluten is a protein found in many grains including rye, wheat, oats, spelt, barley, kamut and possibly other grains. Some people can digest gluten, but others can't, and for them ingesting gluten can cause many puzzling health issues. Doctors used to think Celiac disease (CD) and gluten intolerance were rare disorders, but recent research indicates both are far more prevalent than previously suspected. The prevalence of diagnosed CD rose from one in slightly over 500 individuals to one in every 133 by 2003. It is much higher today, even though a vast number of people dealing with gluten issues remain undiagnosed. The rapidly increasing prevalence isn't simply due to better informed physicians or looser diagnostic criteria. Researchers have discovered that new cases are developing, including in elderly people who had previously tested negative for these disorders.

Gluten can be responsible for a laundry list of health problems, ranging from mild (rashes, dandruff, etc.) to severe (thyroid disease, autoimmune disorders, osteoporosis, stunted growth, decreased intelligence, dental decay, increased chances of certain types of cancer, etc.).

Unfortunately people with gluten issues are often misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, schizophrenia, asthma, reflux, and a long list of other illnesses. Many have no idea that removing gluten from their diet would help them heal. And if someone has a severe gluten intolerance, it only takes tiny amounts of gluten to cause damage.

One big problem with gluten is that it's everywhere. Many people know it's in pastas, breads and cereals. But most have no clue it's also often hiding in seemingly innocent items like chips, soy sauce, white vinegar and even some wines.

To help us learn more, Dr. Tim Gerstmar, ND (www.aspirenaturalhealth.com) will be discussing gluten and health at this month's meeting. Dr. Gerstmar is a popular and highly informative presenter. He speaks on a variety of health topics at local WAPF chapter meetings. Dr. Gerstmar is a recurring guest on Redmond WAPF leader Shonagh Home's "Ix Chel Wisdom" talk show on KKNW AM radio.

This month we'll have our usual WAPF/NT style potluck at 6:00pm. Dr. Gerstmar's presentation will follow at 7pm.