How Gluten Free Diet Can Help Everyone

Gluten is a molecule comprised of sugar and protein that exists naturally in wheat, barley and rye. Gluten increases inflammation and immune response in the body. People who suffer from autoimmune disorders like celiac disease must follow a strict gluten-free diet to control their symptoms and maintain health. Following a gluten-free diet, however, can be beneficial to all people because it reduces inflammation and lessens food allergy symptoms.

Step 1

Avoid gluten to preserve the small intestine. In cases of celiac disease, gluten ingestion has an effect of damaging the wall of the small intestine where nutrients are absorbed. The intestinal wall will then leak nutrients rather than absorbing and assimilating them within the body. This occurrence takes place every time that gluten is eaten. Avoiding gluten is the only known treatment of this disease.

Step 2

Reduce gluten consumption to reduce symptoms of inflammation in the body. Gluten is a food that increases inflammation in the body, agitating immediate symptoms like joint pain, muscle soreness and acne. Chronic inflammation is linked with a host of health concerns including allergies, atherosclerosis, colitis, fibromyalgia, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis, psoriasis and tendinitis, to name a few. A diet that is reduced in gluten can lower risk of diseases associated with chronic inflammation.

Step 3

Lower gluten in the diet to aid in weight loss and improve digestion. Products that are gluten-free tend to be lower on the glycemic index which is a touted method for understanding which foods are helpful in weight loss. Gluten-free products provide little to no irritation and damaging effects to the intestinal wall, improving digestive function and making nutrients more available to the body.