The gluten free diet is very popular these days – touted on the Internet, in magazines, on talk shows and really all around town! There are several reasons why people have decided to follow this diet: Many abide by it for medical issues such as celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome, and others stick to it for general health issues and possibly to lose weight.
Gluten is a protein found in most foods processed from grains, wheat, barley and rye. It makes the dough we love seem soft and helps it hold its shape. Gluten is a cross between two proteins – gliadin and glutenin. Gluten, which is the final product, is generally only found in processed carbohydrates such as breads and starches. It is sometimes added to food products to act as a source of protein.
A gluten free diet is necessary for people who have been diagnosed with celiac disease. Those who have celiac disease have a systemic autimmune reaction to gluten. If they eat gluten, their body will attack itself in the digestive system. These people generally have chronic diarrhea, anemia, weight loss, iron deficiency and other absorption deficiencies. In severe cases, celiac disease over exposure to gluten may increase the risk to some cancers. The disease is present in only 1% of the population though many people go undiagnosed for various reasons.
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Since gluten is an artificially manufactured protein, many people have developed sensitivity to it. The sensitivity can cause diarrhea, change in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort and bloating. Some have suggested that exposure to gluten may cause inflammation and possibly cause or exacerbate osteoarthritis, fatigue and other similar disorders. Sensitivity is not an allergy or a disease. It is generally not overly harmful to your health, but it may cause irritation and discomfort in the same way some people have sensitivity to onions or garlic. They can eat them from time to time though they may end up with abdominal bloating, flatulence or gastric reflux symptoms. It is not harmful, but it is truly irritating.
I have had several patients with irritable bowel symptoms that have had normal previous gastroenterological work ups with negative endoscopies and blood work. Some of these people have followed gluten free diets after all else has failed, and many of them find that after a short time of not eating gluten, they feel less bloated, have improved bowel movements and overall improved gastric health. If you have suffered similar issues, it would not hurt to try a gluten free diet for several weeks as a small experiment.
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The other set of people I have found that follow a gluten free diet are those that are trying to lose weight, and some are successful. As previously mentioned, gluten is found in almost all processed carbs such as breads, pasta, chips, and other starches. If people avoid these products and concentrate on natural foods such as fruits and vegetables, they will lose weight. Over the last decade, there has been an explosion in gluten free products. Almost every supermarket has a vast array of gluten free products and most restaurants offer gluten free options. Many of these products now taste better and have more calories so you have to be careful with these options. Losing weight will be very difficult if you eat large quantities of these gluten free starch products.
I think that a gluten free or lower gluten diet is safe and could be effective for those with sensitive digestive systems and people suffering from chronic fatigue or inflammatory issues such as arthritis. If you follow my blog, you already know that I believe a diet with a high concentration of fruits, vegetables and naturally occurring foods promotes good health and wellness. If we avoid processed carbohydrates or keep them to a minimum, we will generally avoid a diet with high exposure to gluten.
For more information about what is allowed and what is not allowed in a gluten free diet, see link below:
Stay Healthy!….DocMatthew
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