Less than 1 percent of the population has celiac disease, but many more people may feel best without gluten in their diets -- gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Gluten sensitivity and celiac disease may be related to difficulties with weight loss, both before and after diagnosis. Some people choose gluten-free foods in an attempt to lose weight, often unsuccessfully.
Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity
Celiac disease is an auto-immune condition that damages the small intestine, eventually leading to a high risk of intestinal cancer and malnutrition. Individuals with celiac have no alternative but to avoid all gluten to stop further damage and allow their intestines to heal. Symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhea, irritable bowels, malnutrition and anemia. Some individuals exhibit similar symptoms and improve without gluten in their diets -- but they do not have celiac disease. Gluten sensitivity is diagnosed by observation, rather than testing.
Celiac Disease and Weight
While celiac disease is most commonly associated with a failure to thrive or inability to maintain a healthy weight, it may impact your ability to lose weight, both before and after diagnosis. Obesity is more common in undiagnosed and untreated individuals with celiac than other weight issues, like being underweight, according to Ron Hoggan, author of "Dangerous Grains." If you've removed gluten from your diet, you may lose weight -- on the other hand, you may not, particularly if you opt for processed gluten-free foods.
Going Gluten Free
Cutting out the gluten may improve your health, whether you're gluten sensitive or have celiac disease. More gluten-free products are flooding the market, allowing you to continue to enjoy bread, bagels, pretzels and cookies. If you're gluten sensitive, these foods can add variety to your diet, but may have more calories and fat than their wheat-based counterparts. A diet high in processed foods, even gluten-free ones, may result in weight gain or at least stall out your attempts to lose weight.
Gluten-Free Weight Loss
If you're on a gluten-free diet and need to lose a few pounds, opt for natural, unprocessed foods. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat, low-fat dairy products and gluten-free whole grains as the basis of your diet -- along with appropriate amounts of healthy fats, including olive oil. Look at your diet carefully to make sure you're not missing out on essential minerals and nutrients commonly found in fortified wheat foods like cereals, including iron, B-vitamins and fiber.
References
- "US News"; Gluten-Free Diet: a Cure for Some, a Fad for Most; Adam Voiland; October 31, 2008
- Celiac.com; Gluten Sensitivity: A Gastroenterologist's Personal Journey Down the Gluten Rabbit Hole; Dr. Scot Lewey; January 30, 2007
- Celiac.com; Food Cravings, Obesity and Gluten Consumption; Ron Hoggan; July 10, 2006
- "Wall Street Journal"; Clues to Gluten Sensitivity; Melinda Beck; March 15, 2011
- MSNBC; Is Gluten Really Bad for Your Body?; Karen Ansel; April 20, 2011
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