A Gluten Free diet is all the rage. Everyone from your mother to Miley is going Gluten Free, but what does it really mean?
Most people don't know what Gluten actually is. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and related grains such as barley and rye. Gluten is what gives breads and baked goods that elasticity and yummy dough. Anyone who has been to Panera and ate soup out of one of their bread bowls, or had one of the baguettes, knows how goooood gluten-y bread tastes. So why go Gluten Free?
Those who suffer from Celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder) must eat a gluten free diet due to the fact that gluten causes inflammation in the digestive system (intestines, etc) which interferes with the absorption of nutrients. Eating gluten also causes digestive problems (diarrhea, constipation, bloating, etc.) which can be very painful.
Due to the fact that gluten is present in wheat, many people with a wheat allergy often misdiagnose themselves as being Gluten Intolerant or Celiac, however the two should not be considered the same. Those with a wheat allergy are capable of eating products with Rye or Barley with no adverse reaction, while anyone with gluten intolerance or celiac disease would most likely experience internal and external side effects.
Gluten Sensitivity and Gluten Intolerance is highly debated in the medical and wellness community. There are many dietitians and doctors who discredit the notion of being gluten intolerant, stating mainly that a patient is mostly like either celiac, has a wheat allergy, or is suffering from another form of bowl syndrome- such as IBS. However, in the health and wellness community, gluten intolerance is a widely accepted idea and is often associated with similar symptoms to that of those who suffer from celiac, however, the appearance of symptoms is much less severe.
Below is a chart of Gluten Related Disorders
(via wikipedia....of course)
As one can see, diagnosing someone with Celiac Disease or a Gluten Intolerance is very difficult and nuanced. But the main thing to remember is that a gluten does affect the immune system, which is why many nutritionist and health & wellness 'gurus' suggest that anyone with a chronic illness, autoimmune disorder, or chronic fatigue goes gluten free.
For most people with a chronic illness, chronic pain, fatigue, or any other autoimmune disorder - going gluten free often adds a state of improved health and energy to their life, either due to the lack of gluten in their diet - or possibly a placebo effect.
I, myself, went gluten free three years ago as suggested by a family relative. This relative also suffers from fibromyalgia, and she had seen incredible benefits from going gluten free. At first, I had no idea what gluten was or how to shop for a gluten free diet. But as the trend began to pick up, I was able to find relatively affordable gluten free alternatives.
Overall, the understanding of how gluten affects the human body is still relatively misunderstood. As with other autoimmune disorders, more time and money needs to be allocated to researching the affects of gluten on the immune system. If you think you may have celiac disease, or a gluten intolerance, speak to your health care professional - or try going gluten free and see how you feel! If you find that your body performs better without gluten in your diet, go ahead and make the change - however, if you find that cutting gluten out of your diet has no effects, then go right ahead and continue eating it!
Until next time,
Feast From Within
xoxo
*This is a very brief and simple overview of gluten, leaving out complex information regrading celiac disease and gluten intolerance, meaning that all information in this article should be taken with a grain of salt. Please remember to do your research and speak to your health care professional if you have any concerns about your diet and well being.
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