About Dr. Jean Layton

Gluten-free Doctor Jean Layton

I combine the best of both worlds, medical and food, working as a guide for patients and the public toward an understanding of gluten intolerance and its role in people’s health.

But I wasn’t always a doctor, like most stories, mine is a bit complex.

I started out with a love for good food, simply prepared, an expression of the abundance available in my lovely Northern New Jersey community.

Some culinary school training later, I was working in New York City as the Marketplace (Fancy food hall) manager at Macy’s Herald Square, progressing to assistant candy buyer.

But then my first husband got sick, and everything changed. After a few months of chasing his vague symptoms from doctor to doctor, all while finishing the renovation of a brownstone in Bedford-Stuyvesant NY, Chris was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma.

He died seven months later.

My mantra became -There has to be a better way to heal.
I left the world of professional food service about a year later to return to school to complete my undergraduate degree, meeting my second husband, Ed, while catering in New York City.
We moved to Portland, Oregon to complete our respective degrees; mine a Doctorate in Naturopathic medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine, Ed’s a Master of Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and to start our family.

Our twin daughters, Fiona and Katie, were born in the middle of medical school.

And yes, I did graduate on time, on the 5 year plan.  The girls were able to attend some classes remotely, were used as pediatric models for other classes, and basically charmed the world with their sunny dispositions.

Since the school was so supportive, I was able to breastfeed for 18 months along with supplemental feedings.  Any questions about lactation, capillary feeding, pumping or breast feeding, feel free to ask. Yes, they also had a week of living in the Neonate ICU, feel free to ask anything you want about that situation.

Celiac disease and gluten intolerance became our life after moving to Bellingham WA, when Ed fractured his leg in an ice skating accident.
He was 47 and had osteoporosis.  Research and experience pointed toward a gluten-free diet as a solution. He now has a bone density that is appropriate for his age.
I realized that my brain fog, menstrual irregularities, gastrointestinal rumblings and body temperature fluctuations all improved with a gluten-free diet.
Celiac disease and gluten intolerance have a genetic component.

Our daughters growth had plateaued as they started school and began taking sandwiches and cookies for lunch. Removing the gluten, the girls responded by growing 1 ½ inches each within 3 months of a gluten-free diet.
In my private practice, I see infants to elders, specializesing in celiac disease and gluten intolerance, attracting patients from around Washington State and the lower mainland of Canada.
I proudly serve on the board of directors for the Bellingham Gluten Intolerance Group and run the local Healthy Gluten-Free Kids group.

Speaking in public about how to thrive gluten-free is fun for me.  I had a great time at IFBC, the Canadian Celiac Association meeting and many smaller venues.  Feel free to keep up with my public events on this calendar.  If you would like me to speak at your support group, company or event- feel free to ask. GFDoctor @ gmail.com. Just eliminate those spaces around the @.  I typically need to be reimbursed for travel costs at a minimum, but if I’m traveling to your area for another reason and have a bit of time, I love to share my thoughts with groups.

Sharing my knowledge by teaching gluten-free baking and nutrition classes, I work with the Community Food Coop, Whatcom Community College and Bellingham Technical College, learn where and when on this calendar. This summer I take my class schedule on the road as well with a class at Bob’s Red Mill in Portland and another in Ashland at the Coop.
My first co-authored book- Gluten-Free Baking for Dummies was published by John Wiley and Sons  in December 2011.
As @GFDoctor, I’m active in the social media world with thousands of international Twitter followers.

I’ve written GFDoctorRecipes since December 3, 2006, chronicling the evolution of our whole food gluten free diet.

PLEASE, realize the earliest recipes might not be so yummy, I was learning.
If you prefer to follow along on Facebook,  Google +, or Pinterest  (ooo, pretty pictures!) feel free.

If you or your company are interested in contacting me feel free, GFDoctor  @ gmail.com or at my office (360)-734-1659,  please read this page first.

DISCLOSURE TO READERS:
I am sometimes compensated to work with brands and companies.

I am involved in various other food-related projects.   I do not accept payment to publish positive feedback on a product.  All opinions in my written posts are entirely my own.