About the Author
Ng Rei Na is the Executive Director of Stroke Support Station (S3) and a nonprofit leader with more than 15 years of experience in third-sector management, invisible disabilities and inclusive employment.
Battling years of unexplainable chronic pain, migraines, IBS, and intense fatigue throughout her 30s, Rei Na found relief through a gluten-free diet. To her doctor's surprise, she reversed her hypothyroidism and high blood pressure without medication, and simply by removing gluten from her diet. This journey deepened her understanding of gluten’s role in health and inspired her to raise awareness through this website with a particular focus on foods found in Singapore and Asia.
Passionate about bridging the knowledge gap, Rei Na shares insights and practical guidance to help others make informed dietary choices. This website explores the problems with modern wheat, how it has infiltrated Asian diets, and the gut-brain axis's impact on metabolic diseases and chronic illnesses.
How it all began.
I was always an active child—playing basketball competitively for the school team and swimming under a professional coach. My Japanese mother was meticulous about nutrition, ensuring we ate home-cooked meals no matter how busy she was. Looking back, I realize how clean and balanced my childhood diet was, free from processed foods.
In my 20s, life got busier. Work commitments led me to eat out more, and I found myself indulging in local hawker fare and food courts regularly. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but in hindsight, my diet had shifted drastically - more pre-mixed sauces, processed wheat-based foods and deep-fried foods.
Symptoms & Ailments
Entering my 30s, I got married and had two children. Both my pregnancies were challenging, as I had severe morning sickness resulting in hospitalization and extreme weight loss. I never quite felt the same afterward.
It started with fatigue, stomach pains, and backaches, which I attributed to childbirth and the epidural. As a full-time working mother of two, I assumed exhaustion was just part of life. But then things got worse. My body ached to the point that I struggled to walk in the mornings. I changed multiple mattresses, hoping it would help my back pain, but nothing worked. Migraines and vertigo became so severe that I often felt nauseous and vomited.
One day, after eating my favorite minced meat noodles (mee kia, made from wheat), I noticed something strange—my left cheek swelled, and a tingling sensation traveled down my left arm. This happened each time I ate those noodles as well as some other foods. Fearing diabetes (for the tingling sensation) and a dental issue (for the swollen cheeks), I went for checkups, but nothing came up. I couldn’t understand what was happening to my body.
Discovering & Unglutening
I went for my annual health checkup, and the results showed that I required long-term medication for hypothyroidism and cholesterol. I was only 41 then. Refusing to accept this fate, I started researching online and reading books to seek answers.
Then, I made a discovery that changed my life.
I came across others experiencing similar symptoms - unexplained inflammation, digestive distress, persistent fatigue. And they all had one thing in common: gluten. By eliminating gluten from their diets, they found relief. Skeptical but desperate, I decided to try it myself. The results were astonishing - not only did my pain symptoms gradually disappear, my cholesterol levels and blood pressure reverted to normal within 6 months. This is when I was first introduced to the community of persons living with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).
I have been on the journey of unglutening for more than 3 years now, and there is no looking back. Sure, there are days where I may accidentally consume some gluten, or take small amounts of it when it is inevitable. But the thought of enduring the body pains, bloating and fatigue, makes it far more appealing to stay away from gluten whenever I can.
While awareness of gluten-related health concerns is growing in many parts of the world, knowledge remains low in Singapore and much of Asia, except for Japan. With the rise of metabolic diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions, it’s time to shed light on how going gluten-free or even reducing gluten intake can transform health.
My mission is to share a balanced view of gluten and its impact on health, as well as practical tips and personal experiences to help others navigate gluten-free living in Singapore and beyond. Whether you’re also suffering from NCGS, managing a health condition or simply exploring a healthier lifestyle, I hope to empower you with the knowledge to make informed dietary choices.
Join me on this journey to better health—one gluten-free step at a time.
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