According to a recent study published in the journal Chronic Illness, women with celiac disease are more likely to report stress, depression and disordered eating, even if they are following a gluten-free diet.

The researchers found that women adhering to a gluten-free diet did experience greater vitality, lower stress, decreased depressive symptoms, and greater overall emotional health than those women not following the diet, but even so, they still experienced more stress, depression, and body dissatisfaction when compared to the general population.

Eating gluten-free, even in today’s world of readily available gluten-free fare, is a big adjustment, even when you have been eating gluten-free for years. Food becomes a central focus, rather than an afterthought. Everyday meal planning is required to be sure you have access to the right foods. Shopping at multiple grocery stores becomes the norm. Eating gluten-free creates a whole new way of life. This has the possibility of becoming stressful—and even alienating, depending on the company you keep.

But eating gluten-free—especially in those with celiac, but even in those who are gluten sensitive—is also a ticket to freedom for many people. Freedom from constant digestive issues with seemingly no solution, freedom from wondering, “What the heck is wrong with me?” and freedom from a downward health spiral that itself can cause more stress, dis-ease, and depression.

If you have celiac and you tend to get down about it, take a moment to think about what a gluten-free diet has given you, rather than what it has taken away. Sometimes a shift in perspective is all you need.

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Most people know that fiber is helpful for regularity and digestive health, but could fiber also be one of the keys to a nutritional fountain of youth? According to a report that was published this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine, fiber may be just what the doctor ordered for a longer, healthier life. The report found that a diet rich in fiber, particularly from whole grains, may cut the risk of death from cardiovascular, infectious and respiratory diseases.

The National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study gathered food frequency questionnaires from over 300,000 men and women that revealed their approximate daily fiber intake. The study participants were broken up into groups, one group included those who consumed the most fiber (up to 25 grams per day) and another group consisted of people who consumed the least amount of fiber (less than 13 grams per day). The study participants in the group that ate the most fiber were 22% less likely to die than those in the group who ate the least amount of fiber. The study also revealed that higher dietary fiber intake specifically lowered the risk of death from cardiovascular, infectious, and respiratory diseases by up to 56% in men and up to 59% in women. Plus, for the men in the study, consuming more fiber also meant they had a lower risk of death from cancer.

American dietary guidelines advise us to strive for at least 25 grams of fiber per day or about 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories. However many health professionals, like Brenda Watson, say that the daily recommendation should be 35 grams of fiber per day or more. Unfortunately, with the growing prevalence of low fiber diets high in processed and fast foods, many Americans struggle to reach that number. In fact, most people consume just 12-15 grams of fiber per day!

We’re still learning about the many functions of fiber in the body, but what we do know is that fiber binds to toxins and other wastes and improves elimination. Fiber also has a favorable effect on blood sugar, inflammation and cholesterol levels and is helpful for overall cardiovascular health and maintaining a healthy weight.

Consumers should examine the labels of foods for fiber content, but also challenge themselves to skip the stuff in the bags and packages and opt for whole foods whenever possible. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes contain fiber and they’re usually low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Even with improved dietary choices and vigilant label-watching, getting to 35 grams of fiber per day can be difficult. That’s why it’s smart to add a high quality fiber supplement to your daily routine. Fiber supplements made from natural ingredients like flax seed, acacia and chia can be taken daily and provide antioxidants, minerals and even healthy fats in addition to fiber. So while the search is still on for more secrets to longevity, we can be sure that a healthy diet, rich in fiber is a good step in the right direction.

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