new to the gluten free journey?

Search

Gluten Sensitivity, Hormones, and Vitamins

Unexpected Side Effects

Gluten is a known to disrupt a number of hormones, estrogen included. If you have been diagnosed with gluten sensitivity and you are having hormone related troubles keep reading. Often times woman are placed on prescription estrogens for birth control, for pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS), and for menopause symptoms (hot flashes…). Doctors will frequently prescribe estrogen pills without measuring for the presence of hormone dysfunction to treat the above symptoms. Unfortunately, there are a number of unintended nutritional side effects associated with taking estrogen…

Removal of Gluten Often Times Resolves Hormone Imbalance

I commonly see women in my clinic who are experiencing multiple hormone based problems. A large majority of these women report normalization of hormone related symptoms after discontinuing ingestion of gluten based foods. That is not to say that all hormone related diseases will spontaneously heal on a gluten free diet, but you should be aware that the connection is strong. The following diagram displays common reasons why women are prescribed estrogen based medications along with the nutritional deficiencies that estrogen has been shown to contribute to, and the side effects of these nutritional deficits… Estrogen and vitamin deficiencies

Are You Taking Estrogen?

If you are currently taking prescription estrogen (including the natural or bio-identical versions) you should be aware of the nutritional side effects. Ask you doctor to test your nutritional levels while on this type of medication and supplement accordingly. I recommend using Spectracell labs as they perform an advanced nutritional evaluation of more than 30 vitamins and minerals. If you need a source of TRUE gluten free supplements, click here or visit the links below:

6 Tips to Follow If You Suspect You Have A Hormone Imbalance?

If you have abnormal cycles, excessive bloating, heavy carbohydrate cravings, headaches, swelling, heavy bleeding, and infertility issues, ensure that you do the following:
  • Visit a functional medicine doctor to help you identify the underlying cause of the imbalance. Ask him/her to check your vitamin/mineral levels. Additionally, you might want to be checked for food allergies.
  • Make sure that you get adequate sunshine – sunlight helps to produce vitamin D and melatonin. Both of these hormones help regulate your endocrine system function.
  • Get adequate sleep. Many of the hormones in our body are regulated through sleep.
  • Remove and eliminate environmental estrogen exposure. Environmental estrogens are found in petroleum byproducts. These chemicals are commonly used to make plastics. This means do not eat, drink or store foods in plastic. Store food in glass. These chemicals are also found in the air and in water, so it is highly recommend that you filter your air and filter your water to remove as much as possible. Cosmetics and soy products are also sources of environmental estrogens.
  • Eat organic foods. Many pesticides sprayed on foods are chemical estrogens. Eating organic will minimize your exposure to these chemicals.
  • Exercise daily. The body depends on movement for adequate lymphatic flow and oxygen delivery. Additionally, daily exercise is critical for regulation of cortisol and epinephrine.
All the best, Dr. O

16 Responses

  1. I have PMDD and have been on a gluten free, dairy free diet (soy free too) since December last year. My cycles are short and I really am suffering and this diet has not helped – physically I am much better each month and get very little bloating, much less pain and in general it is easier on my body, however emotionally I still suffer just as much with very severe depression, irritability and anger. I have been having muscle cramps and measured borderline low for potassium deficiency recently. I am a type 1 diabetic and struggle with hypoglycaemia and hypoglycaemic unawareness which may also be affecting things. What else can I do – I have not been on birth control for many years now.

    1. Dr. Osborne’s expertise in in gluten’s biochemical interactions. Since you believe you are eating 100% gluten-free according to how what Dr. Osborne defines it, consider keeping your diet but also seeking a doctor with other expertise and/or alternative health practitioners. Be wide awake on your search. Make sure you are not overlooking things other than gluten which Dr. Osborne pointed out have an effect on endocrine, which itself has such a diverse and deep impact on one’s experience of life.

    2. Dear
      I just read your message as I am trying to work out my own problems. I hope that you are doing better now but just wanted to ask you if you have heard of histamine intolerance as I think this might be something to look into for you.
      Kind regards

  2. Very interesting article—thanks for posting!

    Dr. Theresa Nicassio, Registered Psychologist (1541) & Author of YUM: plant-based recipes for a gluten-free diet (www.yumfoodforliving.com)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sing up to our newsletter for 10% off your first order!

Receive the latest strain releases, exclusive offers and 10% OFF welcome discount.