The Advantages Of A Gluten Free Diet

A gluten-free diet involves eating no trace of wheat, barley or rye. Traditional breads, cereals, cookies, pasta and even pizza are off-limits. You must also eliminate many other foods that contain derivatives of gluten-based ingredients or that may be cross contaminated with wheat, including soy sauce, beer and most packaged snacks. While many people must follow a gluten-free diet for their health, other people choose to go gluten-free for other reasons. Understanding the advantages of a gluten-free diet can help you make the decision as to whether you need to give up gluten.

Celiac Disease

A gluten-free diet is medically indicated for people with celiac disease, an autoimmune condition in which the protein in wheat, barley and rye causes destruction of the villi in the small intestine. Gone untreated, celiac disease may lead to extreme weight loss, malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies, infertility, skin rashes, digestive problems and even cancer. The only way to manage celiac disease is to follow a completely gluten-free diet. Within several months of going gluten-free, celiac sufferers usually report an alleviation of their symptoms and a better quality of life.

Other Disorders

Many other health conditions may be exacerbated by gluten in the diet. People with certain mood disorders, autoimmune diseases and neurological problems may experience improvement of symptoms when following a gluten-free diet. Examples of such diseases include Raynaud's phenomenon, scleroderma, lupus, thyroid disease, ADHD, autism, epilepsy and type 1 diabetes. Going gluten-free will not cure these conditions, but it may make life more manageable.

Refined Grains

All wheat flour-based products are off-limits on a gluten-free diet. Many of these products are the white breads and pastas that health experts say lead to blood sugar spikes, insulin sensitivity and weight gain. A gluten-free diet based on naturally gluten-free foods such as brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, fruits, vegetables and lean meats shuns these unhealthy white carbs. Keep in mind that many gluten-free manufactured products are just as refined as wheat-based products. Gluten-free cakes, cookies, chips and white breads can still cause weight gain when eaten in excess.

Digestive Distress

Some people choose to avoid gluten because their bodies do not react well to it. Chronic bloating, gas and diarrhea may go away on a gluten-free plan. While a gluten-free diet is not medically indicated, a well-planned gluten-free diet can be advantageous in making people feel more energized and less saddled by digestive distress.