Gluten is a storage protein found in wheat, barley and rye. If you have the autoimmune disorder celiac disease, your body reacts harshly to gluten, causing symptoms that range from mild indigestion and gas to severe stomach pain, diarrhea and intestinal damage. Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, are illnesses characterized by dietary restriction and obsession with weight loss. Eating disorders and gluten-free diets may interact or occur individually. If you exhibit signs of either, seek guidance from your doctor.
Relationship
Treatment for celiac disease involves a gluten-free diet. Since gluten is present in many common foods, including most commercially prepared breads, cereals, crackers, pasta and cookies, the diet may seem restrictive. According to a report published in the "International Journal of Eating Disorders" in January 2008, dietary restriction involved with celiac disease may trigger symptoms of anorexia. Disordered eating behaviors, such as severe calorie restriction and purging, may also worsen symptoms of celiac disease. If you're at risk for an eating disorder, you may utilize a gluten-free diet as a means of restriction or because you believe it will lead to weight loss.
Gluten-Free Risks
Assorted packaged foods boast "gluten free" labels. Many people mistakenly assume that a gluten-free diet is a beneficial option, according to dietitian Karen Ansel. In her article published in "Fitness Magazine" in January 2010, she explains that eliminating gluten from your diet is not only unnecessary for most people, it can pose detriments. A gluten-free diet is not a weight loss diet, but a treatment form for people with celiac disease. By cutting gluten-containing whole-grain foods from your diet, such as whole-grain breads, pasta and cereals, you may miss out on vital nutrients, such as folate. And replacing these foods with gluten-free alternatives often doesn't help, according to Ansel. People who do so tend to experience nutrient deficiencies. If you have or are at risk for an eating disorder, avoiding gluten unnecessarily may cause or perpetuate restrictive harmful behaviors and worsen nutrient and fiber deficiencies common among eating disorder sufferers.
Emotional Symptoms
Eating disorders and gluten-free diets can trigger emotional symptoms. If you have celiac disease, you may experience anxiety when eating at restaurants or social events, where you have little control over the foods' ingredients. You may also experience depressed moods or a sense of deprivation, particularly if you're unable to consume many of your former favorite foods. Similar symptoms may arise if you're consuming a gluten-free diet for weight loss or other nonmedical reasons. Anorexia and bulimia often coexist with anxiety, depression and obsessive behavior, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Since numerous emotional symptoms overlap, and since eating disorders and celiac disease may cause unnecessary weight loss, it may be difficult to attain diagnosis and treatment for both conditions.
Challenges/Solutions
If you believe you have a medical reason for eliminating gluten from your diet, seek proper testing from your doctor. If you do not have a medical reason, Ansel recommends choosing nutritious carbohydrates, such as whole grain cereals and breads, as a healthier option. If you have celiac disease, consume plentiful amounts of nutritious, fiber-rich, gluten-free foods, such as whole-grain gluten-free breads and cereals, and leafy greens and juices, as part of a calorie-appropriate, balanced diet. If you've experience substantial weight loss, fixate on food and dieting, or experience physical or emotional symptoms that detract from your usual life, seek guidance from a qualified health care professional. Keep in mind that though celiac disease and eating disorders can pose numerous challenges, they are treatable.
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