Dr. Hyman is a leader in the field of functional medicine, which focuses on treating the whole body system, not individual organs or symptoms. In his book, Dr. Hyman attests that there are five causes of all disease: poor diet, chronic stress, microbes, toxins and allergens. Each of these factors can turn on or off certain genes or messages in our body, increasing our risk for disease. Even more importantly, he says, by reducing our exposure to these factor – i.e. eating a healthy diet, reducing stress – we can stop or even reverse that ‘switch,’ thus preventing disease.

It’s an empowering concept, but it also means we need to take more responsibility for what we eat and how we behave. Hence, Dr. Hyman’s book. The Blood Sugar Solution helps you evaluate your current health, and then guides you through a six-week program to get your health back on track.

I won’t sugarcoat it. The program is intense, requiring readers to eliminate gluten, dairy, alcohol, caffeine and processed foods, and focus instead on eating whole foods like vegetables, lean protein and gluten-free grains. Dr. Hyman also makes suggestions for supplements you may want to add to your diet. Personally, I don’t know if everyone’s up for this type of overhaul, but at the very least you can pick up a few good habits.

For those who choose to dive in, there’s plenty of help. The book has chapter after chapter of research and case studies that explain why he’s making certain recommendations. You’ll learn new words like “diabesity,” which Dr. Hyman defines as “the continuum of health problems ranging from mild insulin resistance and overweight to obesity and diabetes.” You’ll also learn shocking statistics like diabesity affects 1.7 billion people worldwide. Then there are nutrition basics and tips on how to eat healthier, even when you don’t have the time. And finally, there are shopping lists and recipes to quell those fears of what to cook.

Throughout the book, there are several references to celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. In fact, Chapter 10 includes a section on gluten and inflammation. In there, you’ll find a patient story, information about the increasing prevalence of these conditions, and the important caveat that processed, sugary gluten-free foods are not healthy options.

To order a copy of The Blood Sugar Solution, visit the book’s website. While you’re there, you can sign up for online and community resources to keep you informed and motivated.

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The Inside Tract is written by Gerard Mullin, MD, and Kathie Madonna Swift, MS, RD, LDN.  The book is broken down into three separate parts:

The first part is titled “The Gastrointestinal Superhighway.”  That then is dispersed into three parts as well. The first section reveals information about one’s gut – your “inside tract” to health and wellness. Then, the reader “takes a ride” as the book gives a guided tour of the human gut. The final piece of the first section discusses what happens when you get “off tract”: digestive disease and you.

In the second part, the authors discuss “The Inside Tract Prescription to Wellness.” This segment of the book also contains three parts. The first is about good nutrition, the second about the “inside tract” to a better life, and the third covers supplements to heal your inside tract.

The book concludes with “Food as Medicine for Digestive Health.” This part of the book is divided into four areas. The “first tract” is the foundational food plan for optimal digestive health. Then goes as follows: the exclusion food plan, the specific food plan, and then putting it all together: case histories.

Not only does this book provide in-depth detail of celiac disease and the way it affects your body, but it also offers some recipes and shopping lists in the back of the book. The resources and index are extensive. If you want to be more knowledgeable about your disease or the disease of a friend or family member, then this book is right for you.

The Inside Tract retails for $19.99 and can be purchased either online at www.rodaleinc.com or www.theinsidetract.org.

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When looking through gluten-free cookbooks and other helpful guides, I want to see information that will help those with celiac disease rather than cater to the gluten-free ‘fad.’ Celiac Disease: A Guide to Living with Gluten Intolerance does just that.

The book offers an array of topics that assist everyone from newly diagnosed individuals to parents of children with celiac disease. Advice includes how to handle the emotional side of getting diagnosed with celiac, how to eat out properly, baking gluten-free, gluten in medications, and gluten-free recipes.

Authors Sylvia Llewelyn Bower, RN, Mary Kay Sharrett, MS, RD, LD, CNSD, and Steve Plogsted, PharmD, have put great effort into this book, and it shows. The contents of the book prove to be valuable, and many of their insights come from real-life experience. Both Sylvia and Mary are a part of or have participated in the Gluten-Free Gang Support Group, and Sylvia lives with celiac disease.

As you read the book, you’ll notice a number of gray information or story boxes standing out on the pages. Offering prayer, personal stories, or just handy information to live by (or eat by), these boxes add a little something extra to the book.

Celiac Disease: A Guide to Living with Gluten Intolerance retails for $16.95 and can be purchased online at www.demoshealth.com.

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Finding a delicious gf cracker to bring to an event that would be attended by several very experienced celiacs with out having to shop around might have once been a very intimidating task. But fortunately for me I have a go-to gluten-free cracker I can rely on. Blue Diamond Nut Thins are available in almost every grocery store in my area, and come in a wide variety of flavors.

For this event I chose Blue Diamond’s Hint of Sea Salt Almond Nut Thins. This provided me with a solid yet crunchy cracker base that was only mildly flavored and would allow the flavors of the different cheeses to shine. Blue Diamond Nut Thins also comes in BBQ, Almond, Hazelnut, Pecan, Smokehouse, Cheddar Cheese, and Country Ranch.

In addition to making a delicious brand of crackers, Blue Diamond also takes great care to make those tasty crackers safe for the celiac community. Each production run is tested to assure it meets gluten-free standards. Each production run is sampled and tested to confirm gluten levels do not exceed 20 ppm. They are also processed in a facility that is certified gluten-free.

Blue Diamond‘s support for the celiac and gluten-free community does not only extend to safe gf manufacturing practices. They are also proud sponsors of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. In addition to being the exclusive sponsor of the NFCA’s popular Athletes for Awareness blog, they also provide us with monthly delicious gluten-free recipes like Hungarian Hazelnut Torte and Tomato Roasted Chicken Breasts made with their delicious products and have their own recipe box hosted on www.celiaccentral.org.

To learn more about Blue Diamond Nut Thins visit www.bluediamond.com. There you find nutritional facts, store locations, and more. While you are there you can print out a coupon for 50 cents off your next purchase.

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Left untreated, people with celiac disease can develop further complications such as other autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, thyroid disease, and cancer.

Some of the most common symptoms of celiac disease include:

• Bloating or Gas
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Itchy Skin Rash
• Tingling/Numbness
• Pale Mouth Sores
• Joint Pain
• Delayed Growth
• Poor Weight Gain
• Thin Bones
• Infertility
• Headaches
• Depression
• Irritability
• Discolored Teeth

Do you have celiac disease? Take the NFCA Celiac Disease Symptom Checklist. Once you have filled out th form, submit for a print friendly version. Then take your newly printed symptoms checklist form with your answers to your doctor. Visit the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) at www.celiaccentral.org today to get more information about Celiac Disease, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

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