Actually, I have a Tep question, too (or anyone who has had experience with this) -- a friend of mine is cutting glutens and grains out of her diet to deal with some health issues, and she's been having some lightheadness and feeling a little weird.

Is this something that is common? I know, anecdata, and she has a nutritionist and a neurologist, but I'm just FBing with her about it, and thought someone might have some info that doesn't need to wait for her next appointment.

Happy Birthday, Nora!

No lightheadedness from going gluten-free here. No clue why she's getting lightheaded unless she's not eating enough of other things.

She's wondering that, if she needs to eat, say, more nuts and fruit more often.

a friend of mine is cutting glutens and grains out of her diet to deal with some health issues, and she's been having some lightheadness and feeling a little weird.

I have a couple friends who had similar reactions upon removing grains/gluten from their diet. My BFF refuses to stop eating bread ever again, because she felt so bad when she did it.

I wouldn't call it an addiction, but I read some study (I have no cites at hand, sorry, but it's probably Google-able) that in some people grain produces an opium-like effect, and stopping it results in symptoms of withdrawal.

Ah, thanks, Zen! She was really worrying about it.

Well, grains are carbs. And if you go low-carb, you're cutting out some instant blood-sugar boost, right?

Which is just my completely unscientific hypothesis, but maybe?

Amy,

true, but the friend likely is eating other carbs besides grains.

Erin,

is your friend getting enough iron and other vitamins?

She takes supplements, but I will ask her to check.

the iron (particularly) may not be absorbed well. some people don't take to iron supplements. she might try to get it in her food for awhile and see if that makes a difference.

Good advice, all! I will pass it on.

Buffistas: We should form our own think tank.