Gluten-free eating is the new health fad nowadays. While there is debate on whether gluten-free diets are necessary for people who aren’t suffering from a disease which is directly correlated to gluten, like celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, people are adopting the diet nonetheless.
There are anti-gluten arguments that opine it can be detrimental to your health if you eat too much gluten. For that reason, gluten-free foods have been springing up all over the place in order to promote a healthier alternative. Anyone, whether they are suffering a gluten-induced disorder, can benefit from a gluten-free diet.
There are others who oppose this logic because they feel ridding your diet of gluten is not a healthy step to take. There are vital nutrients in gluten that can’t be replaced with non-gluten foods. Additionally, the gluten-free foods in stores, especially the snacks, are often filled with more sugar than foods containing gluten. So realistically they might not be a healthier alternative.
Despite the support for gluten, there seems to be a lot one can gain from undertaking a gluten-free diet. It is also important to remember that many people who have gluten sensitivity or celiac disease don’t always display the symptoms right away.
Before you begin a gluten-free diet, it is important to make sure you test yourself for the various gluten disorders. Do your homework and ensure that your new diet won’t lack the beneficial nutrients found in gluten. Here are five reasons you should consider going on a gluten-free diet.
Celiac Disease
More people are being affected by celiac disease, although currently only 1% of people suffer from the affliction. People who have celiac disease are unable to eat foods that contain the protein composite without serious issues. People with celiac disease who are exposed to gluten will experience an attack from their immune systems against the gluten proteins, but they also experience an additional attack against the intestinal wall. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which the intestinal wall is broken down if gluten is consumed. The effects of this disease are most apparent in the stomach region.
Even though only 1% of the population is affected, there are many people who have gone undiagnosed because they don’t have serious symptoms. Over time, eating gluten can be very damaging to the intestinal wall. So, it is important to get tested for the disease if you suffer any unusual stomach ailments. You can also experiment with a gluten-free diet to see if it has a positive effect.
Gluten Sensitivity
Perhaps you don’t have celiac disease but your body still reacts adversely after eating gluten products. If you have bouts of diarrhea, stomach pain, or bloating after eating gluten, then you may have a sensitivity to gluten. In this case, you should change your eating habits and introduce more gluten-free foods into your diet.
Keratosis Pilaris
This is a skin condition, also known as chicken skin, which is common in many people, especially adolescents. It has been reported that as many as 50% of adults and 80% of adolescents have this condition that is very difficult to treat. It often appears on the arms in the form of small bumps that look similar to acne. The bumps are usually white, not red, and in most cases, they aren’t painful and they don’t itch.
Many people who have been afflicted with this condition have tried gluten-free diets with a lot of success. It might be worth a shot to try a gluten-free diet if you suffer from this skin condition or another one like it.
Autoimmune Diseases
Besides the ones already listed, there is a growing problem with autoimmune diseases. Whether it is cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoporosis, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or even multiple sclerosis, gluten is linked to these afflictions. Dr. Mark Hyman, a leading doctor in this field, warns about the dangers of the diseases which are directly related to the foods you are eating — which are most likely loaded with gluten. He argues that the effect gluten has on autoimmune diseases is rapid and needs to be ratified immediately. Americans in particular are killing themselves with gluten because there is such a high level of gluten used to produce bread, bagels, donuts, and other gluten products.
Not every autoimmune disease is caused by gluten. If your diet is high in gluten and you are experiencing any kind of unusual ailments, try testing out a gluten-free diet for a couple of weeks. Observe how you feel. Then go back and eat gluten to see if there is an effect. This is the best way to determine if you have an autoimmune disease caused by gluten.
Neurological Diseases
If autoimmune diseases weren’t enough to be concerned with, Hyman also believes that many neurological diseases, such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, dementia, and epilepsy, can be linked to gluten. Introducing a gluten-free diet could be a preventive measure against these kinds of diseases, especially if the link between them is strong.
Featured photo credit: Ed Greory via stokpic.com
