BY RECORD STAFF

The Gluten Intolerance Group on Whidbey would like to invite all interested people to a special presentation by natural health nutritionist and registered dietitian Beverly Kindblade.

Kindblade will give a lively and honest talk about the challenges of gluten intolerance, including how to heal a gut with nutrition. Her presentation will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept 8, 2012 at the Trinity Lutheran Church Annex Building.

The latest estimate is as many as 1 out of 30 people in the nation may be reacting negatively to the protein in wheat called gluten. Over 200 different ailments can be attributed to this gluten sensitivity. News released in late July 2012 by the Mayo Clinic indicates roughly 1.8 million Americans have celiac disease, a genetic condition in which gluten destroys cells in the intestinal tract.

However, an estimated 1.4 million do not know that they have this condition, according to a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Anyone experiencing a health problem that is not improving with treatment may be experiencing gluten intolerance. Some of the symptoms are gastric reflux, itchy skin eruptions, anemia, early bone loss, chronic fatigue, weakness, bone pain, muscle cramps, neurological problems, migraines, memory and learning challenges, seizures, infertility, diarrhea, may alternate with constipation, bloating, vomiting, and unexplained weight loss or weight gain.

Among the host of symptoms, gluten intolerance often manifests itself in maldigestion and inflammation leading to malnutrition, compromised immunity and unwanted weight gain. Kindblade will discuss “super foods” for healing. She will explain how to boost immune systems naturally, including how to purchase high-quality supplements on a budget. Gluten-free supplements will be available for purchase at the event.