A few months ago I had the opportunity to listen to 30 of the world's leading authorities on gluten sensitivity as part of a podcast series. It was the most informative educational program in which I have participated. I recently read a thought provoking article by an expert in gluten sensitivity and educator. He is one of those 30 top authorities on the subject. His article referenced how gluten can affect the brain and should be considered a factor in contributing to people with depression or even Parkinson's disease.
With the New Year right around the corner, it has given me cause to pause and reflect. For some reason this year, I find myself reflecting more than in past years. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I am in my 30th year of practice or that changes in medicine and for that matter the rest of the world seem to be occurring so rapidly. Maybe it has to do with the loss of some very dear patients this past year; two of which were over 100. The longer I practice, the harder I find it to compartmentalize these inevitable life/death events.
The Past
It was July 1985, two weeks shy of my 27th
birthday when I started practice in Aurora. For those of you trying to make the math work, I completed college and medical school in six years as part of a relatively new "six-year program" at LSU Medical School in Shreveport, Louisiana.
I wasn't really sure when I applied for the program at age 17, after graduating valedictorian of my high school class, whether or not I yearned for a career in medicine. Most days I don't regret the decision and, in fact, I feel it has been one of the most personally and professionally rewarding careers I could've hoped for.
Testimonials
Sensitivity to monosodium glutamate and aspartame (abdominal pains, bloating)
For 15 years, Neil Wiese regularly experienced abdominal pains and bloating that lasted all day, nearly every day.
"I went through many, many doctors," Wiese says. "I even went as far as the Mayo Clinic. Nobody could figure out what it was." In 2004, he attended a seminar by Dr. Guillory and, afterward, went to visit the doctor. After conducting tests and ruling out a number of potential causes, Dr. Guillory focused on the possibility that Wiese's digestive problems were related to monosodium glutamate (MSG), a widely used food additive.
Dr. Guillory recommended that Wiese avoid foods containing MSG. In addition, he recommended that Wiese steer clear of the artificial sweetener aspartame as well as high fructose corn syrup, also used as a sweetener. "I went on the diet and watched everything I ate," Wiese says. "I also kept a diary. And in the course of a month or so, I was better. I have slowly continued getting better for the last couple of years. My life has changed dramatically. It's a miracle for me."