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

Today I'm welcoming Brandy Buskow back to the podcast.

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

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.

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 (an 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.

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/

TIMESTAMPS:

06:04- INTRO TO TODAY'S TOPIC & BRANDY BUSKOW’S BIO

7:05- WHY THIS TOPIC? SARAH’S HISTORY WITH GLUTEN

08:11- WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR A COUPLE TO GO GLUTEN FREE WHEN THEY ARE TRYING TO CONCEIVE?

• Understanding gluten’s role in leaky gut
• Really thinking through if we need wheat in our diet
• "Every time we eat wheat it causes a reaction.”
• Where does the statement come from that there is a reaction every time we eat gluten?

13:25- SHOULD WE HAVE GLUTEN IF WE ARE PREGNANT?

• Celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity
• Why the “gold standard” is to eliminate gluten for at least 30 days
• “Treat your body the best you can during pregnancy”
• Different testing for gluten sensitivity
• The power of the elimination diet

19:27- MORE ON TESTING AND WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

20:40- AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE AND GLUTEN

• “Allow your body to do its’ job”
• Testing for cross reactors (and what foods can cause this)

25:20- HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE GUT TO HEAL? WHAT ARE THE STRATEGIES?

• The factors that go into healing the gut
• “High stress can cause a leaky gut.”
• “It’s not impossible to make improvements.”
• Other things that can cause leaky gut.

29:05- SOME OF THE PLACES THAT GLUTEN CAN HIDE

• Sauces, supplements, medications, personal care products, etc
• Understanding that seeing “gluten-free” may not mean fully gluten-free.
• Resources and tips for looking at fillers and hidden ingredients
• “Wheat is like a glue.”

34:21- THE THYROID AND GLUTEN

• Why you may need to go gluten-free if you have issues with your thyroid

36:26- WHAT CAN WE DO TO MINIMIZE OUR EXPOSURE WHILE EATING OUT?

• Tips for communicating with the staff and finding places that are gluten-free

41:18- THEMES THAT WE SEE WITH OUR FERTILITY CLIENTS

• “Is it worth it to you to take gluten out for 6 months so you can get pregnant and your body can be healthy?”

42:45- DIGESTIVE ISSUES & THE LINK TO GLUTEN SENSITIVITY

44:58- FINAL THOUGHTS ON TODAY’S TOPIC

• Encouragement for those who feel overwhelmed and making this a lifestyle

Resources:

Gluten and Intestinal Permeability - Study - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4377866/

Book your free Supercharge Your Fertility Discovery call. We’ll come up with a simple plan to help you move forward…towards your dream of having your baby.

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