Why I Avoid Gluten and Dairy

Butter and whipped cream were staples for most of my life. There would always be an extra pound of butter in the freezer for the next cake, and heavy cream in the fridge ready to whip. There were times when I’d whip cream every morning for my coffee.

And, for over 25 years I had sinus infections once or twice a year. Antibiotics stopped working after a while. The symptoms changed from stuffy bacterial growth to a drier treatment-resistant inflammation. The post-nasal drip, itchy throat, coughing, and fatigue would last for months. I had to run out of meetings because of ugly coughing fits. Saline rinses were soothing, but not a cure. I dreaded being around anyone with a cold, knowing that although I could fight off the cold, I would end up with a sinus infection.

Over the years, my sister suggested that I try going without dairy to see if it helped clear my sinuses. I dismissed the possibility because of the lack of research on such a connection. I’m a scientist, a nutritional biochemist. You might think that as a scientist, I would be open to a new hypothesis, and even want to carry out research to test it. Unfortunately, I’m not the only scientist (or medical professional) to assume that if there’s no research demonstrating something, it’s likely to be woo-woo. 

Anyway, one winter when a double round of antibiotics didn’t get rid of my sinus symptoms, I happened to pull an old book off my shelf, Food Allergies and Food Intolerance, by Brostoff and Gamlin. It reminded me that while little is known about food sensitivities, they can cause a myriad of symptoms. I decided to see what would happen if I stopped eating any dairy products: no yogurt, ice cream, butter, ghee, whey powder or cream. I can’t recall why I also cut out gluten at the same time, but it makes sense, as wheat is problematic for many people.

Within a few weeks of my new restrictive diet, something surprising happened. Constipation that had so gradually worsened over the years that I took it for granted, disappeared. Since then, it’s become clear: Eating a little wheat slows down my elimination.

My sinuses also felt better, and the next time I got a cold it was over within a week or two. It’s been over five years now, and I haven’t had one sinus infection. These days if I feel a familiar, itchy postnasal drip on the back of my throat, it’s usually because the day before I gave in to a little blue cheese or butter.