Gluten-Free?
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 4:20PM What is the deal about gluten? It is fairly common to hear people say they are gluten-free. So what is the skinny on gluten-free eating?
Celiac disease is a true intolerance to gluten that someone genetically inherits. If someone with Celiac disease consumes gluten it causes the villi or little hair-like projections that move food through the gut to atrophy. This atrophy can cause bleeding, malabsorption of nutrients and other health complications.
Only 1 percent of the population has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease. However, research shows that another 39% of the population may be susceptible to having Celiac or gluten intolerance. To get an accurate diagnosis one needs a blood test and/or small bowel biopsy to determine if there is atrophy in the gut.
In addition, there is a small amount of research showing that gluten is associated with some forms of inflammation in the body for those with auto-immune diseases such as Diabetes or Multiple Sclerosis. Other research may be leading towards gluten-free eating with some forms of autism.
A gluten free diet requires instruction by a Registered Dietitian. Avoiding any kind of wheat product or foods with wheat or wheat components may not be enough. If you suspect you may have a true gluten sensitivity speak to your doctor about having a blood test before you go on a gluten-free diet to see if there are actual gut atrophy. You may or may not need to avoid gluten. Why limit yourself unnecessarily?