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The Gluten Connection: How Gluten Sensitivity May Be Sabotaging Your Health - And What You Can Do to Take Control Now
One of the nation's top clinical nutritionists presents her 14-day program for treating and reversing gluten sensitivity, a condition that affects as much as 35 to 50 percent of the U.S. population and is a major contributing factor to an array of chronic illnesses Struggling with weight gain? Plagued by fatigue? Suffering from joint pain? According to preeminent clinical nutritionist Dr. Shari Lieberman, these symptoms are among the hallmarks of a little-known but surprisingly common sensitivity to gluten, a protein in certain grains. Dr. Lieberman has been investigating gluten sensitivity for more than 20 years. In her experience, eliminating gluten can alleviate many troubling symptoms for which doctors often can't find a cause, as well as chronic conditions for which mainstream medicine offers little hope of relief―including rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, lupus, and irritable bowel syndrome. In fact, 85 percent of Dr. Lieberman's clients who follow a gluten-free diet report dramatic improvement in their health―and scientific studies support her results. In The Gluten Connection, Dr. Lieberman presents a simple questionnaire to help readers assess their risk for gluten sensitivity and provides a 14-day eating plan to start them on the path to improved health and vitality. She also recommends nutritional supplements to support and maximize the therapeutic potential of a gluten-free diet.
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2006
41 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 22, 2008
I'm interested in finding out more about the connection between different ailments and gluten sensitivity, but this particular book was too focused on anecdotal evidence for me. Sure, it had a lot of statistics, but it had a ton of stories that started with lines such as, "There was a 53 year old woman in North Dakota..." It got old. The connection between gluten and health issues is fascinating and a little scary!
March 28, 2009
Another of my favorite health books. Helped me understand that lectin in nightshades and casein in milk can mimick gluten in wheat and cause reactions. A great insight to my health!
March 15, 2010
So far this is the most valuable book on gluten intolerance that I have encountered. The first half of the book looks at studies and research about how using a gluten-free diet has resolved all kinds of long-standing health problems which weren't responding to normal treatment. She also gives a complete scientific (but understandable) explanation of the responses the body has for allergy and intolerance (showing how they are different responses and why that makes an intolerance more dangerous in the long run). She also shows how wheat has been altered to have more and more gluten, and why this could be problematic. This first half merits all five stars. I will buy this book just for the first half.
The second half, where how to go about living a gluten-free lifestyle is explained is ... okay. It's not the best and not the worst. Sometimes it is more geared toward nutrition than gluten-free, and sometimes it gets a little hung up on insisting on organic produce or filtered water or baked chips. But that's okay. I can get all of this from other books.
What I can't get from other books is her well-done research.
The second half, where how to go about living a gluten-free lifestyle is explained is ... okay. It's not the best and not the worst. Sometimes it is more geared toward nutrition than gluten-free, and sometimes it gets a little hung up on insisting on organic produce or filtered water or baked chips. But that's okay. I can get all of this from other books.
What I can't get from other books is her well-done research.
October 3, 2022
It’s so crazy to learn how nearly any health condition could have its root cause in a gluten intolerance. 🥲 This book provided so much research and many testimonies of people with all kinds of struggles that were resolved once eliminating gluten from their diet. It’s a shame it’s not more common knowledge, even from doctors. So many people (including myself) have had to suffer through symptoms and incorrect treatments before learning that gluten could be the issue.
While the book is a bit outdated now, most of the information was still useful and educational. I did feel it get repetitive and I started to skim over all the examples of people going gluten-free and having their health issues resolved. But it’s good if you look up and read the stories about specific symptoms you or someone you know may have.
I do wonder if people taking their own G/F ingredients to restaurants and asking the cook to prepare them is really a thing. 🫣 I never heard of it and feel they would have such a confused reaction. One thing that hasn’t changed much since this book was published, at least where I live, is that gluten-free options are still so limited while eating out. 🥲
Overall, this was interesting and made me feel validated in my own health struggles.
While the book is a bit outdated now, most of the information was still useful and educational. I did feel it get repetitive and I started to skim over all the examples of people going gluten-free and having their health issues resolved. But it’s good if you look up and read the stories about specific symptoms you or someone you know may have.
I do wonder if people taking their own G/F ingredients to restaurants and asking the cook to prepare them is really a thing. 🫣 I never heard of it and feel they would have such a confused reaction. One thing that hasn’t changed much since this book was published, at least where I live, is that gluten-free options are still so limited while eating out. 🥲
Overall, this was interesting and made me feel validated in my own health struggles.
September 3, 2012
There is a lot of useful information in this book, and it would be useful for anyone who suspects they may have a sensitivity to gluten. Lieberman explains that gluten intolerance can be present without celiac disease, and that it causes many surprising symptoms. This book is a good introduction to a gluten-free lifestyle and why one may be helpful for many different conditions. If you are already familiar with gluten sensitivity and gluten-free cooking, you might find it a bit basic, nonetheless it sums up most of the current information on gluten sensitivities and celiac disease.
Before I read this book, I did not know that animals had gluten intolerance, or that it had been studied. Years ago, I removed the grain from my cat's diet and found that it fixed her vomiting issue, but I didn't know there was any information on that condition.
The recipes in this book are not very helpful to someone who is intolerant to pretty much all grains, like I am. I also did not like the book's suggestion that people take enzymes in order to digest beans and other legumes, when these often cause problems almost as bad as those from gluten, and some people should not eat them.
Before I read this book, I did not know that animals had gluten intolerance, or that it had been studied. Years ago, I removed the grain from my cat's diet and found that it fixed her vomiting issue, but I didn't know there was any information on that condition.
The recipes in this book are not very helpful to someone who is intolerant to pretty much all grains, like I am. I also did not like the book's suggestion that people take enzymes in order to digest beans and other legumes, when these often cause problems almost as bad as those from gluten, and some people should not eat them.
February 2, 2015
Since Dr. Scot Lewey told me that I have celiac disease I purchased a few books on this but they don't help me that much as I am addicted to gluten per Dr. Lewey. It might be the reason I have very dark circles under my eyes.
It says that one percent of those with CFS have celiac. It might be the reason I am so tired all the time and have MCTD. As soon as I ate quinoa and then aramanth I promptly got allergic to them per blood work. I just learned that aramanth is related to pigweed. I am horribly allergic to pigweed so all these things maybe be connected.
Its all depressing and this book is only a little bit helpful. I think The New Arthritis Breakthough is the biggest help.
It says that one percent of those with CFS have celiac. It might be the reason I am so tired all the time and have MCTD. As soon as I ate quinoa and then aramanth I promptly got allergic to them per blood work. I just learned that aramanth is related to pigweed. I am horribly allergic to pigweed so all these things maybe be connected.
Its all depressing and this book is only a little bit helpful. I think The New Arthritis Breakthough is the biggest help.
September 5, 2011
The beginning of this book is very good and appeared to be a book that would give a lot of wonderful information about gluten-free living. Instead, it turned mostly into a book with case studies instead of information that could be more beneficial for a person with a gluten intolerance. Truthfully, this book would have received a better rating from me if it were half its current length. Too much filler for my liking.
April 23, 2021
I would give this book 3 stars. The beginning was great then I started to lose interest toward the end.
January 2, 2023
I started reading this book about a month ago and finished it on our car trip back home. Didn't realize how devastating gluten sensitivity could be. The book was not easy reading, but it includes case studies (maybe too many?) as well as some recipes and helps for going gluten free.
April 6, 2024
I skimmed much of this book, such as all the health problems caused by gluten sensitivity, and read just those sections related to my needs. I have been gluten-free for the past two months and feel much healthier.
September 4, 2018
Way too much focus on anecdotal evidence/case studies
February 14, 2019
This book has convinced me to stick with a GFCF diet.
January 13, 2012
This will be my go-to book for reference regarding gluten questions friends may have. So much of it made sense to me, as someone who has been dealing with hprothyroid issues. I have started a gluten-free plan, and it helped to read a resource that connected them, as well as connecting many other health symptoms to gluten. There were some parts that I skipped or skimmed, since I felt like they had little or no connection to my situation (I am self-centered like that). If I should feel like I no longer want to continue the plan or like it is may not make a difference anymore, I plan to pick this up again for perseverance.
March 27, 2015
This is a great introduction to gluten for someone beginning their research in the possibility of being gluten sensitive. Some reviews say it's too anecdotal, but it's meant to be that way to give a few examples of how gluten sensitivity can affect a wide range of people and diseases. This was an eye opening book for me since I knew nothing about gluten and gluten sensitivity before hand. I enjoyed the informational sections about gluten and the sections about how it can react with other ailments the best.
February 8, 2011
Pretty valuable info about gluten and its affect on all sorts of health issues. The author is quite biased though. If you didn't do any other research, you'd conclude that gluten is the source of all evil. Either way, a very solid resource for someone who is GF or wants to know more about how it can affect the body. Especially useful info on testing and the differences between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.
February 15, 2016
GREAT resource book that really details all the connections between gluten-sensitivity and a whole host of health issues. Also discusses in detail how many people have gluten-sensitivity but who do not yet have celiac disease as well as the testing shortfalls and how new technology is coming into use for testing the early sensitivity. A few recipes and web resources but since this book was published in 2007 much has changed for the better in GF eating.
March 28, 2010
Shari Lieberman, clinical nutritionist, discusses how gluten sensitivity may be the root cause of many chronic conditions. Although this book is a little outdated, it is worth a read if you are on the fence about trying a gluten-free diet to relieve Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia. A 14-day gluten-free sample diet is included, along with recipes and lists of websites to obtain further information
March 14, 2011
This book is c2007 but it still contains some very good information. The author believe that we ALL are at least a little sensitive to gluten. And, of course, she explains Celiac disease in some detail. For diagnosis, she is a big believer in stool testing for antibodies, in addition to the standard blood test and biopsy. Some sample menus, recipes, and shopping tips also included.
August 4, 2011
Interesting, seemingly data driven look at gluten as a possible root cause for many ailments. But it falls just short of compelling. The recipes in the back of the book seem uninspired and perfunctory for the most part. It all boils down to, if you have one of the diseases discussed, give gluten-free a shot and see if it helps your symptoms.
February 17, 2012
Very, very helpful in this confusing gluten intolerance territory. There is a ton of research that went into this book, she gives all the resources and citations if you want to do further review. She clearly explains the difference between a wheat allergy, gluten intolerance/sensitivity and Celiac Disease. I highly recommend it to anyone who suspects that gluten is a problem for them.
April 14, 2013
This felt like reading done sort of readers digest clue all medical books, I want some practical advice about getting tested for this of just avoiding gluten in general . After all, a girl doesn't give up her gluten beer lightly, compared to the other special diet books I've read, this was hard to follow and seemed yo depend on the person dojng research themselves.
February 6, 2008
Sad to HAVE to read this book. But, it helped clear up a lot of questions.
Really cool recipe to make dairy free cream cheese. . .does it still get the name of Cream Cheese if it is dairy free?? hmmmm
Really cool recipe to make dairy free cream cheese. . .does it still get the name of Cream Cheese if it is dairy free?? hmmmm
November 19, 2009
This is a great book to read if you have celiac or a gluten intolerance. This book has more of a medical take than other books I have read on this subject. It is more about the actual disease, than how to live a gluten free lifestyle.
September 28, 2014
Excellent book on the dangers of eating gluten. Discusses many diseases, their possible connection to gluten and how the elimination of gluten from the diet has in many cases, eliminated or minimized, the incidence of the disease.
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January 25, 2008Who knows, maybe the entire world is gluten sensitive....
June 15, 2009
This book was very helpful & made a lot of sense, Every one should read this book, even if you are not on a Gluten-Free diet.
November 25, 2009
one of the best books on gluten I have read!
September 28, 2009
I always knew agriculture was ruining my life.
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May 15, 2010 It is very fascinating!! At least according to Susannah it is! :)
March 7, 2010
First book I have read that has helped me start to heal my COPD asthma.
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