“Ask Bean” is the first health and fitness column for people with celiac disease and others following the gluten-free diet. Everyone’s welcome to read, learn, and ask about all aspects of wellness.
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Click on an installment date to read.

2013
May
5/21/13, “Bean, What is the difference between sugar in fruit and sugar in candy?”
5/14/13, “Bean, Why does smoking cessation lead to weight gain?”
5/7/13, “Bean, Do you have a cure for writer’s block?”
April
4/28/13, “Bean, How do we get vitamin D from the sun?”
4/21/13, “Bean, Is it possible to overdose on water soluble vitamins?”
4/14/13, “Bean, How can I prevent having back pain from standing all day?”
4/7/13, “Bean, Is there a connection between gluten sensitivity and epilepsy?”
March
3/28/13, “Bean, How can I get my cortisol level down?”
3/21/13, “Bean, What do you think about exercise boot camps?”
3/14/13, “Bean, Do people with celiac disease have to avoid beauty products with gluten?”
3/7/13, “Bean, Is it a given that my health will decline when I hit menopause?”
February
2/28/13, “Bean, What is the difference between pernicious anemia, Mediterranean anemia, and microcytic anemia?”
2/21/13, “Bean, If a food package states ‘gluten free,’ is it really gluten free?”
2/14/13, “Bean, Is clarified butter better than regular butter?”
2/7/13, “Bean, Do carbs. make you fat?”
January
1/28/13, “Bean, What exercises can I do to improve posture?”
1/21/13, “Bean, Is it true that if I crave ice cream or cereal that I may just be thirsty?”
1/14/13, “Bean, What is the difference between mortality & morbidity?”
1/7/13, “Bean, What is the best way to thaw frozen meat?”
2012
December
12/28/12, “Bean, Does dehydrated food sap the body of water?”
12/21/12, “Bean, Is it OK to exercise sore muscles?”
12/14/12, “Bean, Which cookbooks do you use?”
12/7/12, “What do you think that can be done about drug overdosing in or out of the profession of music?” (On September 11, 1971, in an interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Dick Cavett asked the above question.)
November
11/28/12, “Bean, How long do I have to wait to exercise after eating?”
11/21/12, “Bean, How can I create low-Calorie dishes for Thanksgiving and still feel satisfied?”
11/14/12, “Bean, Can I exercise while pregnant?”
11/7/12, “Bean, Did you know Greg Hind?”
October
10/28/12, “Bean, Why is dark chocolate better than milk and white chocolates?”
10/21/12, “Bean, How can I include my children in my exercise program?”
10/14/12, “Bean, Does the body know the difference between good and bad fat?”
10/7/12, “Bean, Does ‘water soluble vitamins’ mean that they are diuretics?”
September
9/28/12, “Bean, How is that I can exercise a lot and have a trim body, but still have a belly?”
9/21/12, “Bean, When is a healthy food unhealthy?”
9/14/12, “Bean, Why do onions make me cry when I cut them?
9/7/12, “Bean, What is a good alcohol substitute?”
August
8/28/12, “Bean, How do I lose weight without getting weaker?”
8/21/12, “Bean, Is it true that it takes 10 weeks for back pain to go away?”
8/14/12, “Bean, Do you think that I need to replace my doctor I don’t like, even though he’s good?
8/7/12, “Bean, What are Shirataki noodles?”
July
7/28/12: “Bean, Will muscle memory help me to get back in shape fast?”
7/21/12: “Bean, The Massai people open the jugular (neck) vein of a cow and add a little bit of the cow’s blood to a cup of milk, making the milk the truly perfect food. Would the calcium and the iron in the milk still compete with one another for absorption?”
7/14/12: “Bean, I’m trying to eat healthier. Is it cheating to eat prime rib?”
7/7/12: “Bean, What’s the worst experience you’ve had eating gluten free at a restaurant?”
June
6/28/12: “Bean, What’s the best speed for lifting weights?”
6/21/12: “Bean, What is the best way to increase iron stores?”
6/14/12: Worksite Exercises and Stretches
6/7/12: “Bean, Should I wear a weight-lifting belt when I strength train?”
May
5/28/12: Ten (Satirical) Effects of the Obesity Epidemic
5/21/12: “Bean, I am going back to the gym for the first time in 20 years. What should I wear?”
5/14/12: “Bean, What’s the best way to stretch my back?”
5/7/12: “Bean, How do I stop eating the food where I work?”
April
4/28/12: “Bean, Is it better to eat three or six meals per day?”
4/21/12: “Bean, Is it possible to sweat while having a fever?”
4/14/12: “Bean, Does it do any good to keep going to the gym, considering I have a broken arm?”
4/7/12: “Bean, What is palm fruit shortening?”
March
3/28/12: “Bean, How can I eat healthy without cooking?”
3/21/12: “Bean, Why is it bad to eat bread and meat in the same meal?”
3/14/12: “Bean, I hate you, because you’re skinny.”
3/7/12: “Bean, Why is it so much more difficult to balance when my eyes are closed?”
February
2/28/12: “Bean, How can I wake myself up in the morning without caffeine?”
2/21/12: “Bean, What is muscle confusion?”
2/14/12: “Bean, Why do I look right into a light when I’m strength training?”
2/7/12: “Bean, Why is it that as I get older, my boobs are heading south and my gums are heading north?”
January
1/28/12: “Bean, What foods help to lower blood pressure?” “Are there varying degrees of celiac disease?”
1/21/12: “Bean, Is filtered water healthy even though all of the nutrients are taken out?” “Can you die from lack of sleep or exhaustion?” “Why is it bad to eat raw potatoes?”
1/14/12: “Bean, What is restless leg syndrome?” “Will I get an ulcer if I’m really stressed?” “What is CoQ10 good for?”
1/7/12: Top 20 Fitness Myths–Part 2
2011
December
12/28/11: “Bean, Will exercise improve my sex life?” “Is it too late to walk off my Christmas meal three days after the fact?” “How can I avoid shin splints?”
12/21/11: “Bean, Are kettle bells as effective as dumbbells?” “Do people with autism spectrum disorder have to eat gluten free?” “Are core exercises worth the hype?”
12/14/11: “Bean, Do all sprinters have fast twitch muscle fibers?” “TV personal trainers are always yelling. Did you used to yell at your clients?” “How accurate is food allergy testing?”
12/7/11: Top 20 Fitness Myths–Part 1
November
11/28/11: “Bean, Do potatoes make you fat?” “If I have to eat gluten free, will I get sick from making sandwiches for my family who eat wheat?” “What can I do to strengthen my hands?”
11/21/11: “Bean, Why don’t I stay pumped up after a workout?” “Is there a correlation between intestinal damage and antibody test results for celiac disease?” “Is coconut oil bad for the heart?”
11/14/11: “Bean, Do you know of a good recipe for gluten-free beer?” “What does homogenization do to milk?” “Is there a connection between celiac disease and bladder infection?”
11/7/11: Top Ten Contraindicated Exercises, part 2
October
10/28/11: “Bean, How do I figure out my target heart rate?” “What is the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber?” “What are the health benefits of dandelion?”
10/21/11: “Bean, How can I avoid getting sore after I start an exercise program?” “Does coconut water have fat? What’s so good about it?” “What are the health benefits of sorrel?”
10/14/11: “Bean, Is sorbitol gluten free?” “Is flax seed oil bad for the prostate?” “Why do I get a headache after doing a set of pull ups?”
10/7/11: Top Ten Contraindicated Exercises, part 1
September
9/28/11: “Bean, Is celiac disease only diagnosed in people of Irish decent?” “At what age should children learn to swim?” “How much meat is OK to eat in one day?”
9/21/11: “Bean, Is it better to stretch before or after exercise?” “Why is it bad to cross your legs while sitting?” “Does vodka contain gluten?”
9/14/11: “Bean, Will going gluten free make my allergies go away?” “At what age can children start strength training?” “Do I still have to limit eggs to only three times per week?”
9/7/11: 10 Keys to Attracting a Girl at the Gym
August
8/28/11: “Bean, My throat swelled, and I almost vomited after a meal. Does celiac disease do that?” “What do you know about smokeless cigarettes?” “What can I expect from having an EKG?”
8/21/11: “Bean, Are side planks better than crunches for core strength?” “What is the best way to thaw meat?” “I just feel better when I don’t eat gluten; should I still be tested for celiac disease?”
8/14/11: “Bean, How can I get my picky child to eat better?” “What do you think about alkaline water?” “Does gluten attack the intestines in celiacs?”
8/7/11: Health Myths: Fact or Fiction?
July
7/28/11: “Bean, What is the healthiest food of all time?” “What do you consider to be the secret to longevity or the fountain of youth?” “What is the best way to keep my sodium intake low?”
7/21/11: “Bean, What is the best way to monitor gluten-free diet compliance after celiac diagnosis?” “What size ankle/wrist weights do you recommend to wear while walking?” “Can you drink too much water?”
7/14/11: “Bean, Are you more likely to get cancer from smoking cannabis or cigarettes?” “Does cracking knuckles cause arthritis?” “What is xanthan gum?”
7/7/11: Life Without Chaos
June
6/28/11: “Bean, can smoking lead to stomach cancer?” “What is the difference between the glycemic index and the glycemic load?” “What is orthostatic hypotension?”
6/21/11: “Bean, We have this body fat scale that measures several criteria; are those scales accurate?” “How common is refractory celiac disease?” “Is wheat starch allowed in the gluten-free diet?”
6/14/11: “Bean, What is the best way to stand up after a fall?” “What is the lesser of all evils in a typical vending machine?” “What is blood pressure and what is a normal level?”
6/7/11: Abstract: Was Dr. Atkins Right?
May
5/28/11: “Bean, I can’t exercise, because my toes hurt; have you heard that excuse before?” “Gluten might be making me sick. Is there harm in experimenting with the gluten-free diet?” “What is a stress test?”
5/21/11: “Bean, aside from situps, what’s a simple thing I can do at home to strengthen my core?” “As a 40-something male what physiological changes should I be aware of and how do I manage those changes?” “My lower legs have muscle but still appear thin, can I do anything to bulk up my legs?”
5/14/11: “Bean, is it bad to eat after 8 p.m.?” “Is there such a thing as too much exercise?” “I was just diagnosed with celiac disease, but I’m afraid that if I tell my girlfriend she’ll dump me. What should I do?”
5/7/11: Exercise–It Should be a “Gut” Reaction
April
4/28/11: “Bean, can exercise decrease the intensity of menstrual cramps?” “I am a female who puts on muscle easily. How can I benefit from strength training without getting bigger?” “What supplement should I consider for good bone density?”
4/21/11: “Bean, what is the best chest exercise?” “Why do some vegetarians eat chicken?” “What is the best energy bar?”
4/14/11: “Bean, how many Calories do I have to burn to lose a pound?” “What is the best time of day to exercise?” “How long should I ice a muscle tear?”
4/7/11: Abstract: Who Will Become an Alcoholic?
March
3/28/11: “Bean, does standing all day cause varicose veins?” “What is the best vegetable?” “What exercise do you do?”
3/21/11: “Bean, is wheat bad for everyone?” “Can a recent, chronic runny nose be a sign of food allergy?” “What can I do about loud music in an aerobics class?”
3/14/11: “Bean, what is a natural way to get rid of extra water weight?” “Which exercise will help me to lose weight the fastest?” “Are there any foods I can eat that will make my nails stronger?”
3/7/11: Days of Our (Celiac) Lives story
February
2/28/11: “Bean, does exercise suppress the immune system?” “Can you recommend a book on celiac disease?” “Do you know how to get rid of candida?”
2/21/11: “Bean, what causes muscle soreness?” “What effect does emotional stress have on the heart?” “What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?”
2/14/11: “Bean, are you sure diets don’t work?” “Is it safe to take a diuretic to lose a few pounds?” “What is happening in my muscles when they are cramping?”
2/7/11: Jack Lalanne: A true health care provider (article)
January
1/28/11: “Bean, does having celiac disease mean that I have a compromised immune system?” “I don’t like water. Do I have to drink it?” “What good is walking? Shouldn’t I be running?”
1/21/11: “Bean, what is acute mountain sickness?” “Is caffeine that bad?” “What is the most nutritious fruit?”
1/14/11: “Bean, I walk every day. Is that enough exercise?” “Stretching is so boring. Do I have to do that, too?” “What is gluten?”
1/7/11: Panic at the Market (article)

Copyright 2012, 2011 Jeanne “Bean” Murdock. Contents of this column may not be reprinted without permission of Jeanne.

Disclaimer: The information, recommendations, instructions, and advice contained in this column are intended for general reference purposes only and are not intended to replace personalized medical advice. Consult your physician before starting an exercise conditioning program.