How To Know If Gluten Needs To Be Avoided When You Are TTC

We’re digging into why gluten matters if you are TTC.

I get this question all the time, “Should I go gluten free if I’m trying to conceive?”

As you may know, I was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency at 28 and had both my kids with donor eggs. Years later I discovered food sensitivities, gut infections and chronic stress were the cause of my infertility.

I had no idea that gluten was a problem for my health until years later. Looking back the symptoms were there – bloating, dark circles under my eyes (indicator of food sensitivity), acne, dizziness, mood swings, keratosis pilaris (also known as chicken skin on the back of my arms – exfoliation didn’t help) and of course infertility.

As you may know, we work with complex cases such as low AMH, high FSH, diminished ovarian reserve and premature ovarian insufficiency/failure.

We see a theme of non-celiac gluten sensitivity with food sensitivity tests coming back with gluten off the charts.

 

I'm excited to welcome Brandy Buskow back to the podcast.

Brandy is part of my team here at Fab Fertile. She is an integral part of our Couples Coaching program - which uses functional lab testing, diet, and lifestyle changes to dramatically improve conception. If you are struggling with infertility...your body is desperately trying to tell you something...focusing on your health will either help you get pregnant naturally or if you do need to go to the fertility clinic it will improve your chances of success.

She is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and Board Certified Functional Wellness Coach and Master EFT Practitioner. She loves supporting women so they can learn how functional medicine addresses the underlying cause of disease or illness.

 

In this episode you'll learn:

1) Why it is important to go gluten free when we are TTC.

2) Consuming gluten during pregnancy and the potential risks for the child

3) Difference between celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity

4) Connection between autoimmune diseases and gluten i.e. Hashimoto’s and Irritable Bowel Disease

5) Best test for gluten sensitivity

6) Supplements to help with gluten exposure – visit FabFertileStore.com https://www.fabfertilestore.com/

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Highlights

6:03 WELCOME BRANDY BUSKOW & INTRO

7:04 MY EXPERIENCE WITH NON-CELIAC GLUTEN SENSITIVITY

8:06 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR BOTH PARTNERS TO GO GLUTEN FREE WHEN TRYING TO CONCEIVE?

How gluten consumption can lead to leaky gut

Every time you eat wheat it causes a reaction.

What is a leaky gut?

Research on the effects of gluten on the body

13:07 CELIAC DISEASE AND NON-CELIAC GLUTEN SENSITIVITY

The difference between celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity

The gold standard for testing your gluten sensitivity

Should you avoid gluten during pregnancy?

You want to treat your body the best way you can while you’re pregnant.

16:14 TESTING OPTIONS FOR CELIAC DISEASE AND GLUTEN SENSITIVITY

How our elimination diet works

The key markers we look for with our clients

20:23 AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE AND GLUTEN

Success stories of the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet

The connection between gluten and autoimmune disease

The top cross-reactors of gluten

Testing for cross-reactors

24:38 STRATEGIES FOR HEALING

How long does it take for the gut to heal?

High levels of stress can cause a leaky gut.

Factors that go into healing the gut

28:10 GLUTEN’S HIDING SPOTS

Gluten-free versus gluten-light

Sauces, vitamins and other surprising gluten hiding spots you might not recognize at first

Alternatives to try for common gluten-containing foods

Even if there’s a small amount of wheatgrass, if you’re very sensitive to gluten, you are going to react to that.

Tips for identifying gluten under other names on labels

Wheat is like a glue.

33:05 YOUR THYROID AND GLUTEN

It’s very common for people with thyroid issues to also be extremely sensitive to gluten.

Why we don’t recommend gluten or dairy for women having thyroid issues

35:08 MINIMIZING YOUR EXPOSURE TO GLUTEN WHEN EATING OUT

What to do before going out to eat

How to talk to restaurant staff about your gluten sensitivity

Why it’s worth it to push past the discomfort and ensure your meal is gluten-free

How to stay gluten free while travelling

It can be fun, it’s not about deprivation

As you start to see how food impacts your body, it’s like wow!

39:32 THEMES THAT WE SEE WITH OUR FERTILITY CLIENTS

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity in women and their partners

Why couples should go on the gluten-free journey together

This is one step that can have a big impact and make a big difference.

40:57 DIGESTIVE ISSUES AND BEYOND

The wide-ranging issues that gluten can cause in your body

Not having gas and bloating doesn’t mean you don’t have an issue with gluten.

The types of issues that can be improved by changing your diet

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Resources

Excited that our LIVE Fertility Diet Challenge is launching on January 24th. You'll receive newly designed chef-prepared recipes (perfect for winter and curated to optimize fertility). There will be daily motivation, guidance and support from the Fab Fertile Team. Join the Fertility Diet Challenge: https://FertilityDietFreebie.com

Get Pregnant Naturally | Episode 6: Functional Medicine 101 and Your Fertility https://www.fabfertile.com/blog/functional-medicine-101-and-your-fertility/

Get Pregnant Naturally | Episode 153: What You Need To Know About The Elimination Diet if You Are TTC https://www.fabfertile.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-elimination-diet-if-you-are-ttc/

Get Pregnant Naturally | Episode 206: Can The AIP Diet Help With Low AMH/High FSH? https://www.fabfertile.com/blog/can-the-aip-diet-help-with-low-amh-high-fsh/

Get Pregnant Naturally | Episode 111: AIP Diet For Hashimoto’s And Why This Matters If You Are TTC https://www.fabfertile.com/blog/aip-diet-for-hashimotos-and-why-this-matters-if-you-are-ttc/

Get Pregnant Naturally | Episode 79: What To Do If You Have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Infertility https://www.fabfertile.com/blog/what-to-do-if-you-have-inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd-and-infertility/

Get Pregnant Naturally | Episode 193: How To Get Pregnant Naturally With Low AMH/High FSH https://www.fabfertile.com/blog/how-to-get-pregnant-naturally-with-low-amh-high-fsh/

Gluten and Intestinal Permeability Study: Hollon, J., Puppa, E. L., Greenwald, B., Goldberg, E., Guerrerio, A., & Fasano, A. (2015). Effect of gliadin on permeability of intestinal biopsy explants from celiac disease patients and patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Nutrients, 7(3), 1565–1576. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu7031565

WheatRescue™ https://microbiomelabs.com/home/products/wheatrescue/

Allergenza https://www.fabfertilestore.com/

Fab Fertile Method https://www.fabfertile.com/what-we-do/

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Book your Supercharge Your Fertility Discovery call here with your partner

During our call, we’ll be discussing what you have tried so far and where you’ve faced challenges. This can feel stressful but is designed to help us get to the root cause of your fertility issues and will help me to give you the best possible action plan at the end of the call. However, to reassure you – on this call we won’t be digging into the trauma associated with infertility/miscarriage/loss – rather we are focused on solutions and an ACTION PLAN as to how our Fab Fertile Method can help you get pregnant naturally.

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This episode is sponsored by: Fab Fertile Store

Ensure your preconception supplements are free from dyes, filler, and top allergens. Check out our basic recommendations that are essential for preconception health.

Visit https://FabFertileStore.com to get your 15% discount.

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Got questions? Join the Fab Fertile Support Group for motivation, support, and education so that you can prepare for pregnancy success.

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Connect with Sarah on social media and learn more about functional fertility solutions that will help you have your baby.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabfertileinc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sesacoaching/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fabfertile

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahclarkfertilitycoach/

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