Gluten and trichotillomania

Whether your issue is trichotillomania (hair pulling), skin picking, nail biting or or other compulsive behaviors, you may find it helps to go gluten-free.  This is a communication from Gina, a registered dietitian who writes the poetry blog The Kitchen Ink. Even if you do not have celiac disease, like Gina, you may still be sensitive to gluten - a huge number of us are nowadays. (Read why.)  Some of my clients found their skin picking decreased upon eliminating gluten.Gina says: "I wish people were more aware of the wide-ranging effects of gluten. That was pretty much my main reason for becoming a Dietitian, and I’ve learned so much more in the process. When I first tried eliminating gluten (it was an accident, I knew nothing about gluten), I was fasting for 4 days (water only). Instead of feeling hungry, I felt fantastic. No stomach aches, lots of energy. Started eating fruit on fourth day, and the thing that made me feel sick (aka my usual state) was soy sauce on Day 5, which certainly contained wheat. Gave up gluten on purpose a couple months later when mom suggested it. Lo and behold, that was it. I was a changed girl!My skin looked hydrated and healthyI did not pull nearly as muchMy anxiety reduced considerablyI was noticeably happier and more energeticI was no longer constantly bloatedI have not experienced that chronic pain ever since.New person. :)Not everyone requires this diet, BUT… I strongly believe that if you have had strange, chronic, unexplained digestive, mental health, clotting/blood or skin problems your whole life… You might want to try it. Celiac disease affects nutrient absorption and nutrients (vitamins, minerals, protein, sugar, fat) are needed all over the body for so many important things. That’s why symptoms run the gamut."Here is another article about gluten's role in trichotillomania.