Of course, future research could change this. We may someday learn that at least some people without celiac disease or symptoms of intestinal disease are better off avoiding gluten. Actually, just about any health intervention comes with some risk. Eliminating gluten is no exception.
Before you buy into the gluten-free life, buyer beware! It may not help, may cause trouble, and it'll likely cost you more. While many people in the Consumer Reports survey thought gluten-free diets were more nutritious and contained more minerals and vitamins than conventional foods, the opposite is often true. Gluten-free foods are commonly less fortified with folic acid, iron and other nutrients than regular, gluten-containing foods.
And gluten-free foods tend to have less fiber and more sugar and fat. Several studies have found a trend toward weight gain and obesity among those who follow a gluten-free diet including those with celiac disease. Meanwhile, gluten-free foods tend to be more expensive than conventional foods.
It reminds me of the organic food option: People are often willing to pay much higher prices for foods they think are healthier. The problem is that there is little or no proof that these foods are actually better for you.
If you feel well and have no digestive symptoms, enjoy your good health! And stop worrying so much about gluten. But if you have symptoms that might be related to gluten, or if you have significant and unexplained symptoms, talk to your doctor. Symptoms of celiac disease or gluten sensitivity include:. There are reliable tests to diagnose celiac disease.
These include blood tests that detect certain antibodies, genetic tests and intestinal biopsies. The results can help you understand which, if any foods, you should avoid. You may learn that you can eat anything you like. Or, you may learn that it's lactose the sugar in milk , not gluten, that's causing you trouble. Or, you may turn out to have another common condition that's unrelated to gluten, such as Crohn's disease, an ulcer or irritable bowel syndrome.
We are undoubtedly in a time of heightened gluten awareness. Is that a good thing? It is if you have celiac disease. I think it's a major step forward that people who truly need to avoid gluten can do so more easily than in the past as more gluten-free foods are now available and labels are more clearly identifying foods with or without gluten.
But the "dangers" of gluten have probably been overstated — and oversold. There are also anecdotes of people losing lots of weight by cutting out gluten, and popular diets that suggest gluten is bad for you. When people self-diagnose a gluten intolerance, start exercising, eating healthier, and stop eating pastries and pizzas, they find that they feel better, have more energy, and lose weight.
This, however, is not proof that gluten is bad for you. Or maybe you know someone diagnosed with celiac disease who was instructed by his or her primary care physician to cut out gluten. This is an instance when gluten is bad for you. There are plenty of naturally gluten-free foods, such as fruits and vegetables, that are healthy. Gluten is the common name for proteins found in wheat, rye, barley, and triticale. Gluten is important to the texture of breads, pasta, and cakes.
You can buy gluten to add to whole-grain breads, which can be naturally low in gluten. Gluten has been linked to autoimmune, digestive, and other health conditions. People with certain conditions need to avoid gluten. This article explains what foods to eat and avoid on a gluten-free diet and includes a delicious….
Celiac disease is a disorder in which eating gluten triggers an immune response in the body. This article takes a look at the most common signs and…. For people with celiac disease, avoiding gluten is essential but can be harder than it seems. This article reviews the benefits of the celiac disease…. Gluten intolerance is fairly common and can cause widespread symptoms, some of which are not related to digestion. Here are 21 common signs to look…. What are the best gluten-free fast food options to minimize your gluten intake?
Find out what to order at your favorite fast food spots. Following a gluten-free diet doesn't have to mean giving up on your favorite pasta and noodle dishes. This article lists 6 of the best types of gluten-. But the right app can give you gluten-free recipes, offer helpful lifestyle tips, even find nearby restaurants with….
Irritable bowel syndrome IBS causes abdominal pain accompanied by diarrhea, constipation or periods of both. Here are 9 signs and symptoms of IBS. There are plenty of healthy and delicious foods to choose from on a gluten-free diet. Here is a list of 54 gluten-free foods, as well as some foods to…. Getting your meals delivered can save major time on meal prep. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. A Critical Look.
Gluten Intolerance Who Benefits? Should You Avoid It? Still, you may wonder whether these methods are backed by science. This article tells you whether gluten really is bad for you.
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