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Day 119: Gluten Withdrawal

Ok. So yesterday I was EXTREMELY irritable and cranky. All day.  And felt a little depressed.  Like I really needed to go off somewhere by myself and cry. For a long time.

I had the wisdom to stop sulking and get myself to the gym.  I worked my legs and did a bit on the treadmill and some stretching.  But then I had to run off to teach a student.

The exercise helped somewhat. But all day I felt super sensitive to what people said to me, or even how they looked at me.

Interestingly enough, I stumbled upon an article about depression and irritability associated with removing gluten from the diet!  It was a quick read, but when I googled the subject, I found this one:


http://myglutenfreequest.com/withdrawal-symptoms-associated-with-the-addictive-nature-of-gluten/

Aha!  It is very helpful to be able to relate these wild moodswings to something.  I kept trying to figure out what was bothering me. And I kept coming up with: Everything!

Gluten has some very serious effects on the body.  The article says:
"There are also patients who have experienced depression or crying spells in the beginning of going on a gluten free diet. This reaction can be mild to severe. Research has shown that this reaction resolves with time once the initial reaction is over. These types of withdrawal symptoms have been linked to the removal of certain types of gluten or milk that have a drug like opiod structure, similar to opiates, called gluteomorphins and casomorphins. They affect the brain in such a way that their removal triggers a temporary reaction that resembles drug or alcohol withdrawal." (http://myglutenfreequest.com/withdrawal-symptoms-associated-with-the-addictive-nature-of-gluten/)

So I am apparently going through withdrawals!!

If I continue to have issues, I may give in and see a doctor.  But my food cravings have almost completely disappeared. I no longer feel compelled to eat salty, crunchy carbs at night.  And overall I feel much better.

I have been worried about my upcoming busy schedule.  And my sleep schedule.

I shall keep fine tuning until this life of mine is in balance!

I have a busy day today: Breakfast with my mother, teaching and rehearsal.

But first I am going to do some stretching and pushups.  Hopefully get in a quick walk. And definitely some prayer and bible reading.  I am going to pack some of my daughter's wonderful potroast and carrots for lunch.

Happy Saturday! :)

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