Gluten-Free Diets and Improved Brain Function(Contd.)

Going gluten-free may have more health benefits than you might think.  

A Gluten-Free Diet May Also Help With Mental Health | (310) 322–7357

Going Gluten-Free: Improved Cognitive Function?

In our last article, we covered the possibility that going gluten-free may have health benefits such as improved cognitive function.  A recent study involving patients who were diagnosed with celiac disease but who had not switched to a gluten-free diet.

The patients in the study had not added items such as  gluten-free bread crumbs or other similar products. They followed the diet for a full year and when the diet study had been concluded, the findings showed a significant improvement between the study participants in cognitive function. This study backs up the idea that there is a correlation between elevated biological brain fog and celiac disease.  

As to why celiac disease is a contributing factor towards decreased cognitive function is open to debate.  One theory, however, is malnutrition and a lack of folate, iron, and other nutrients which reduce chronic inflammation in the intestinal wall.  Another surprising benefit concerning foods such as gluten-free bread crumbs is the ability to combat depression.     

Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs and Fighting Depression 

In another study, study participants without any form of gluten sensitivity were studied to see the effects of a gluten-free diet.  After a three day period, the study participants were put on another diet until three more days concluded.  Each of the participants were studied for mental state, and to see if there were any signs of cortisol, which is a stress-related hormone.   

The study participants who were assigned to have a gluten-free diet were found to have reduced levels of cortisol and much lower percentages of depression symptoms. Further study may be necessary, however, if these findings stay true, then there may be even more benefits to going gluten-free, namely better mental health.  

Going gluten-free is not for everyone.  Make sure that you schedule an appointment with a doctor to see if switching to a gluten-free diet is the right choice for you.  If it is, make sure that you make the switch with the right support in place.  Join a celiac support group, and make sure your friends and family know that you have to watch what you eat.  Check your food labels carefully, because gluten turns up in a lot of places.  And finally, buy the right foods for your new lifestyle, such as gluten-free bread crumbs.  

Read more on this topic here.  

Venice Bakery
134 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 322–7357
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Gluten-Free Diets and Improved Brain Function

There are some surprising health benefits of a gluten-free diet.

Gluten-free bread crumbs may also help improve brain function | (310) 322–7357

Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs and Cognitive Function

A diet containing things like gluten-free bread crumbs or other  products that fall within gluten-free guidelines can help boost cognitive function in individuals who suffer from Celiac Disease. This relatively new discovery adds to previous benefits which were found to improve overall intestinal health.

The study brings new hope and awareness to those who deal with common but burdensome intestinal disease. It has been proven time and time again that a gluten-free diet has not only been associated with physical well-being but also contributes to a Celiac patient's mental state as well. A gluten-free diet can be a therapeutic resource in reducing the symptoms of depression in people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease.

Brain Fog May Be Caused By Gluten Sensitivity

If a patient suffers from Celiac Disease,  whenver there is a presence of gluten in the body, the small intestine reacts, which then activates an immune response. If this reaction continues it will inevitably lead to nutrient malabsorption and chronic inflammation. The common symptoms associated with Celiac Disease are bloating, stomach pain, weight loss, and diarrhea. With time, nutrient deficiencies can be triggered by the malabsorption, which will eventually lead to developmental problems in several organs of the body, which can ultimately lead to the failure of these organs all-together. In addition to intestinal issues, celiac disease has been linked to a phenomenon called “brain fog”, which is a combination of a few varied cognitive symptoms such as attention problems, memory loss and inability to focus and concentrate. It is relatively well-known within the individuals who suffer from the disease is that when a proper gluten-free diet is followed, the symptoms of brain fog slowly dissipate. And brain fog may be more serious than you might think.  Prolonged symptoms could cause cognitive failure which can be critical at the wrong moment.

At this point in time, there is no cure for celiac disease, however, following a consistent diet made up of gluten-free foods such as bread crumbs and similar foods reduces flares up which in turn can help with healing where intestinal damage is concerned.   So remember, if you have any sort of gluten-sensitivity, take care of yourself.  Eat gluten-free bread crumbs and other products that lead to a healthy lifestyle.

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Venice Bakery
134 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 322–7357
http://www.venicebakery.com/

Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs And Avoiding Celiac Disease

Gluten-free bread crumbs are more than a passing food fad.  They may be a key factor in avoiding celiac disease.

Gluten-Free Pizza Crumbs | (310) 322–7357

How Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs Can Help

When you’re diagnosed with celiac disease, and told to live gluten-free for the rest of your life, you might feel a bit worried and confused. What on earth is gluten? And what should I eat to stay healthy? Here’s a quick takeaway for you. Gluten can pose serious threat for those with a gluten allergy or sensitivity. The elements that make up gluten act like poison to the lining of the gut. With time, this may create inflammation and cause damage to the cells. As you might expect, this normally leads to a myriad of digestive and health issues.

Unfortunately, the exact cause of celiac disease (the cause of gluten allergy) is unknown. Some experts believe that it can be hereditary and therefore passed to some family members in some cases. In chronic conditions, the intestine system is extremely weakened and abdominal pain may be experienced. Bloating, mouth sores and cramping muscles are also well-known symptoms.

Many foods available for purchase contain a lot of gluten, which is unhealthy for you. Foods that are overly processed or contain artificial flavors are a big no-no. On a gluten-free diet (which is recommended for Celiac disease sufferers), you would like to eat more veggies, fruits and health carbs. Unhealthy carbs are found in most bread products out there like pastries and doughnuts. This however does not mean that you should forget about eating your favorite, crunchy bread crusts.

Where Gluten-free Bread Crumbs Come In

Bread crumbs can do wonders for texture and crunch, giving food a new dimension of awesomeness. Moreover, their light and airy texture does not weigh down food. The main benefit of eating high quality gluten-free bread crusts is improved digestion – which is a crucial aspect of healthy living.

Read more on this subject here.   

Venice Bakery
134 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 322–7357
http://www.venicebakery.com/

Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs: How Hard Can They Be?

Can you make gluten-free bread crumbs at home?  How hard is it to make gluten-free baked goods?  Well, it can be more of a challenge than you might think.  

Gluten-free bread crumbs | (310) 322–7357

Can You Make Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs at Home?

Can you make gluten-free bread crumbs at home? Well you can, but it is incredibly labor intensive.  Going on a gluten-free diet is not a simple task for anyone. Just a few short years ago, bread lovers had a hard time. Gluten-free bread was not freely available. Of course things have changed now and many bakeries offer gluten-free bread that is both inexpensive and delicious. 

How hard is it to make gluten-free baked goods? First you need to understand how traditional bread is baked using wheat flour.  Why is wheat flour used in making bread? Wheat flour is traditionally used in making bread due to the high presence of elastic gluten. The addition of water and kneading produces this gluten that acts as a binding agent for all the ingredients of the bread dough. The gluten also traps air bubbles inside it that causes the dough to swell and give the characteristic texture found in bread. Also, the proportion of wheat flour in bread in very high when compared to cakes and pastries. This makes it difficult to substitute gluten-free flour effectively. 

Being Gluten-Free and Baking Bread

To make gluten-free bread crumbs, you must first bake gluten-free bread.   To do this, you will need a substance known as xantham gum. This is a natural binding substance that is not that easily found in most supermarkets and grocery shops. This must be added to other gluten-free flours to come up with a mix that has all the properties of wheat flour. Then it is a matter of adding in a few basic ingredients like water, yeast and salt maybe, just maybe, you can come with a tasty soft loaf that can rival the best bread in the market.  More than likely, you're going to get a bread that has the texture and taste of well, foam rubber.  

Of course if you don’t want to go through all the trouble,  and actually want your bread crumbs to taste good, then there are a number of bakeries that offer high-quality gluten-free baked goods. Either way, incorporating gluten-free bread crumbs into your diet shouldn’t be a problem anymore.

Venice Bakery
134 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 322–7357
http://www.venicebakery.com/

Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs and the Hidden Epidemic

Gluten-free bread crumbs are one way to help in the case of a potentially dangerous epidemic.

Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs | (310) 322–7357

Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs and Where They Fit In

At the time of this article, Ebola is a major health concern in the US and in the rest of the world.  However, while Ebola is a serious health issue that has killed over 4,000 people in this most recent epidemic, there is a silent epidemic that may be affecting potentially millions of people in the US: non-celiac gluten-sensitivity.  According to this article excerpt from the New York Times Blog section: "Many advocates of gluten-free diets warn that non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a wide, unseen epidemic undermining the health of millions of people. They believe that avoiding gluten — a composite of starch and proteins found in certain grassy grains like wheat, barley and rye — gives them added energy and alleviates chronic ills. Oats, while gluten-free, are also avoided, because they are often contaminated with gluten-containing grains.Wheat entered the human diet only about 10,000 years ago, with the advent of agriculture. 

“For the previous 250,000 years, man had evolved without having this very strange protein in his gut,” Dr. Guandalini said. “And as a result, this is a really strange, different protein which the human intestine cannot fully digest. Many people did not adapt to these great environmental changes, so some adverse effects related to gluten ingestion developed around that time.”

The primary proteins in wheat gluten are glutenin and gliadin, and gliadin contains repeating patterns of amino acids that the human digestive system cannot break down. (Gluten is the only substance that contains these proteins.) People with celiac have one or two genetic mutations that somehow, when pieces of gliadin course through the gut, cause the immune system to attack the walls of the intestine in a case of mistaken identity. That, in turn, causes fingerlike structures called villi that absorb nutrients on the inside of the intestines to atrophy, and the intestines can become leaky, wreaking havoc. Symptoms, which vary widely among people with the disease, can include vomiting, chronic diarrhea or constipation and diminished growth rates in children." [READ MORE]  Pretty strong argument for something like gluten-free bread crumbs.  

How Serious is this Problem?

How serious is non-celiac sensitivity to gluten?  That's the key, we don't know.  You may wish to consult a physician to see if switching to a gluten-free diet is right for you.  If so, then buy the right foods.  One example?  Gluten-free bread crumbs.  

Read more here

Venice Bakery
134 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 322–7357
Buy Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs

Gluten Free Bread Crumbs and Your Diet

Gluten-free bread crumbs are just one example of a gluten-free food.  For gluten-sensitive people, this is a welcome addition to available food choices.

Get Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs | (310) 322–7357

Why Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs Matter

Most people think that if you want to buy gluten-free bread crumbs, you may have celiac disease, however, that also may not be the case. There are an unknown number of people who should avoid gluten at all costs. According to this article excerpt from the New York Times:

"For the approximately one-in-a-hundred Americans who have a serious condition called celiac disease, that is an indisputably wise medical directive. Now medical experts largely agree that there is a condition related to gluten other than celiac. In 2011 a panel of celiac experts convened in Oslo and settled on a medical term for this malady: non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

What they still do not know: how many people have gluten sensitivity, what its long-term effects are, or even how to reliably identify it. Indeed, they do not really know what the illness is. The definition is less a diagnosis than a description — someone who does not have celiac, but whose health improves on a gluten-free diet and worsens again if gluten is eaten. It could even be more than one illness. “We have absolutely no clue at this point,” said Dr. Stefano Guandalini, medical director of the University of Chicago’s Celiac Disease Center. [READ MORE]

Gluten-Free Foods and Gluten-Sensitivity

The thing that you have to be careful about is switching to a gluten-free diet simply because it is trendy and cutting edge as far as diets ago.  As we covered in a previous article, if you eliminate a food group from your diet, you run the risk of potential health problems such as vitamin and mineral deficiency.  Also, another risk that you should be aware of if you're making the switch is a thought process that dietitians call Justification Syndrome.  Namely, the belief that if you eliminate gluten from your diet, it allows you to eat other foods that are unhealthy.

Don't stop eating right simply because you've decided to switch to gluten-free foods.  Eat a variety of foods including vegetables and fruits, safe grains such as amaranth or quinoa, lean meats and dairy in carefully prepared portions.  Just know that if you have a recipe that requires bread crumbs, there are gluten-free bread crumbs available.

Venice Bakery
134 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 322–7357
http://www.venicebakery.com/

The Venice Bakery Instagram Challenge

For 51 years, we has used the finest ingredients and time-tested baking techniques to ensure the very-best tasting quality products. Venice's mouth-watering gluten-free crusts are widely praised for their delicious taste and wholesome nutrition.

Customer service is the backbone of our family-run company and implementing and in order to engage our loyal customers from around the world we invited 10 gluten-free Instagrammers to join the Venice Bakery Instagram Cook-off Challenge.

Each Instagrammer selected was sent two 12" pizza crusts with an expectation that they would go wild and make the gluten-free pizza of their dreams. One we really loved was prepared by @get_fit_linds with homemade pizza sauce, fresh Mozzarella, green olives, red onion and yellow and red peppers.

This one looks like a winner to us!

Venice Bakery

134 Main Street

El Segundo, CA 90245

(310) 322–7357

http://www.venicebakery.com

Is a Gluten-Free Diet Right for You? Part 1

This article explores some facts about gluten-free products that you need to be aware of.

Gluten-free and vegan pizza crusts (310) 322–7357

Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts, Should You?

As a maker of gluten-free pizza crusts, we believe in helping our customers, both current and future.  There are several myths out there regarding gluten and it can be confusing.

First off, let's get this out the way first, not everyone needs to consider a gluten-free lifestyle.  Yes, you read that correctly.  The only people who should give serious consideration towards taking a step towards being gluten-free are people who have been diagnosed with celiac disease or other form of sensitivity to gluten.

Gluten-Sensitivity vs. Marketing Hype

Not everyone needs to be gluten-free, and not everyone needs to buy gluten-free pizza crusts.  A lot of unscrupulous marketers are promoting products as gluten-free and tapping into consumer fears. According to this excerpt from the New York Times:

"I see this as part of the current American concern with digestive health, which is also responsible for the yogurt boom,” said Harry Balzer, vice president at the market research company NPD Group, where he has followed the food industry for some 30 years. “About 30 percent of the public says it would like to cut back on the amount of gluten it’s eating, and if you find 30 percent of the public doing anything, you’ll find a lot of marketers right there, too.”

Never mind that a Mayo Clinic survey in 2012 concluded that only 1.8 million Americans have celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack the small intestine when gluten is ingested and can lead to other debilitating medical problems if not diagnosed.

An additional 18 million people, or about 6 percent of the population, is believed to have gluten sensitivity, a less severe problem with the protein in wheat, barley and rye and their relatives that gives elasticity to dough and stability to the shape of baked goods.

“There are truly people out there who need gluten-free foods for health reasons, but they are not the majority of consumers who are driving this market,” said Virginia Morris, vice president for consumer strategy and insights at Daymon Worldwide, a private brand and consumer interactions company." [READ MORE]

So remember, there is only one way to tell if you need to be free of gluten, and that is to consult a physician.  If you do need to live a gluten-free lifestyle, make sure that the products you are buying are 100% gluten-free, such as our gluten-free pizza crusts, gluten-free flat breads, and gluten-free bread crumbs.  

Venice Bakery
134 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 322–7357
http://www.venicebakery.com/

Fish Stick Friday with Venice Bakery Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs

Salmon is brain food. Just as your heart, muscles, bones and stomach depend on the nutrients from the food you eat, so does your brain.

Salmon provides a great source of omega-3, protein, vitamins and minerals that promote the longevity of your noggin. It’s a great source of DHA, the omega-3 fat may help prevent Alzheimer’s and it’s the best source of the hard-to-get vitamin D that is essential to keeping your brain on the top of its game.

We adapted this recipe from Giada De Laurentiis—a twist on typical fish sticks. Using salmon instead of cod or halibut as the fish meat is a nutrient-rich recipe fix.

Our new Venice Bakery Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs are the healthy and safe substitute to the crunchy coating that makes fish sticks, well, fish sticks!  The kids will love this recipe, too. It’s a great pre-test day dinner that will give your kids the extra mind boost they need to get that A+.

Ingredients:

1 (18-ounce) center-cut salmon fillet, about 9 by 4 inches, skinned
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup Venice Bakery Bread Crumbs
1/2 cup Jule’s Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour 
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 egg whites
1 cup grated Parmesan
1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise or vegenaise
1/3 cup lowfat plain yogurt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or chives
Olive oil, for drizzling

Directions:

For the Fish Sticks: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.  Rinse the salmon fillet and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the fish in half to make 2 fillets each about 4 by 4 1/2-inches in size. Starting on the longest edge, slice the fillets into 1/2-inch pieces. Lay the widest pieces, from the center, cut side down, and slice in half lengthways so all the pieces are equally about 1/2 by 1/2 by 4 1/2-inches in size.  Season the salmon with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Place the egg whites in another bowl and beat until frothy, about 30 seconds. Combine the Parmesan and bread crumbs in a third bowl.  Dip the salmon in the egg whites and then into the Parmesan mixture, gently pressing the mixture into the fish. Place the breaded salmon pieces on a liberally oiled baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with the olive oil. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.

Dipping Sauce  Mix the mayonnaise or vegenaise, yogurt, Dijon mustard, and parsley (or chives, if using) in a small dipping bowl.  Arrange the fish sticks on a serving platter and serve with the dipping sauce.

Cook's Note: The fish sticks can also be dipped in ketchup, marinara sauce, pesto, ranch dressing or vinaigrette.

Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis and The Food Network.

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