Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley and lately it seems to have become hip to go gluten free. Based on little or no evidence, we have been switching to gluten-free diets to lose weight, boost energy, treat autism, or generally feel healthier. It can be hard to make sense of this based on current clinical research.
Those who are sensitive to gluten may feel better, but a larger portion will derive no significant benefit from the practice. We simply waste our money because these products can be expensive.
How Gluten Causes Trouble ...
When we have celiac disease, gluten triggers an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine. This can interfere with the absorption of nutrients from food, cause a host of symptoms, and can lead to serious health problems.
A related condition called gluten intolerance or non-celiac gluten sensitivity can generate symptoms similar to celiac disease but without the intestinal damage. Not long ago, celiac disease was diagnosed by a process of elimination. Now it can be identified with a blood test for the presence of antibodies against a protein called tissue transglutaminase. A biopsy of the intestine confirms the diagnosis. In this case we may be required to have a strict, life-long gluten-free nutrition plan to support our health.
Going Gluten Free ...
Avoiding gluten means more than giving up traditional breads, cereals, pasta, pizza, and beer. Gluten also lurks in many other products, including frozen vegetables in sauces, soy sauce, some foods made with natural flavourings, vitamin and mineral supplements, some medications, and even toothpaste. This can make following a gluten-free diet extremely challenging. When we are determined to go gluten free, it is important to know that it can set us up for some nutritional deficiencies and have other serious repercussions. When we remove gluten, we are removing a major source of B vitamins. Some being B1,2, 3 and 9. These vitamins are potent in having a CNS (central nervous system) that alerts us quickly. The quicker it alerts us, the better our brain. These vitamins are also responsible for good hormonal flow. Our hormones are our chemical messengers and assist in creating homeostasis in our body (balance). Vitamin B9, more commonly known as folate or folic acid, so important for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. For most of us, the presence or absence of gluten alone is not related to nutrition quality. What is important are the overall food choices made within our nutrition plan, whether it is gluten-free or not. Don't be too quick to remove foods from the plate without understanding what else we might be compromising.