People suffering from celiac disease, gluten allergies or gluten intolerance may require and benefit from gluten-free diets. As a dieting tool, however, eating a gluten free diet may not be your best choice. A gluten-free diet may result in not getting enough nutrients and in possible weight gain, as many gluten-free products are made with additional fats and sugars.
Foods
Gluten is the portion of wheat, rye, barley and other grains that contains protein. It can be found in many breads and cereals. Gluten is not found in all grains, though. Grains that do not contain gluten are corn, buckwheat, wild rice, oats, soy beans and sunflower seeds. Gluten is in wheat flour but can be removed to create wheat starch. However, not all gluten is removed when creating wheat starch.
Celiac Disease and Allergies
Removing gluten from your diet is typically only beneficial if you suffer from gluten- associated health concerns. People who suffer from celiac disease react the most adversely to gluten. Celiac disease is genetic. Gluten injures the lining of the small intestine of celiac disease sufferers. Benefits of a gluten-free diet if you have celiac disease include preventing nutrient malabsorption. People with celiac disease have difficulty absorbing nutrients from the foods they eat. Eating gluten can make this problem more pronounced. Gluten allergies are less serious than celiac disease, but many of the symptoms are the same. Some people may not be allergic to gluten, but ingesting gluten may still affect them.
Nutrient Deficiency
Eating a gluten-free diet cuts a lot of foods from your diet. This results in a possible nutrient deficiency. Nutrient deficiencies can lead to several health concerns, such as fatigue, depression and weight gain. Cutting gluten from your diet can also mask the symptoms of celiac disease. If you suffer from celiac disease but have not already been diagnosed, eating a gluten-free diet can cause the celiac disease to go undetected and untreated, potentially causing long-term health issues.
Testing
If you feel that gluten is causing you health concerns, visit your doctor for testing. A simple blood test can determine if you react negatively to gluten and to what degree. Celiac disease is a serious health issue and should be closely monitored by your doctor. Not seeking a diagnosis and treatment can lead to life threatening health issues. If you are simply cutting gluten from your diet for personal reasons, consult a nutritionist to ensure that you get all your vital nutrients from other sources.
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