What Is Gluten? Gluten And Wellness!

Posted by Tukimin  |  at  12:22 AM No comments

The wellness industry has enjoyed tremendous growth. With technological advances, people are living longer and making the decision to live well. They're arming themselves with information to make better choices as to what they put in their bodies so they can live longer, avoid disease, have more energy and enjoy less stressful lives.

One of the more prevalent trends today is the gluten free diet. Maybe you have heard famous celebrities tout the benefits of removing gluten or perhaps you have seen the term printed on your favorite box of cereal. Either way, there are important points to consider.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein that comes from the mature seeds of grains such as wheat, barley and rye. When you see marketing buzzwords such as "made with whole grain" on breads, cereals, crackers and pasta, you can be confident that those products contain gluten.

According to Web MD, gluten can be found in unsuspecting products such as cold cuts, salad dressings and beer. And although some products, such as brown rice, oats, chickpeas and quinoa don't contain gluten naturally, they can be cross contaminated with gluten during processing in the same plant.

Is gluten bad for you?

For some, maintaining a gluten free diet isn't a lifestyle choice, but a necessity. Patients with Celiac Disease suffer very painful symptoms as a result of gluten. For them, gluten causes the small intestines to become inflamed and damaged. These patients suffer from upset stomachs, severe abdominal pain and bloating. In some cases, they also suffer from malnutrition as a result of their bodies being unable to absorb nutrients. A gluten free diet is essential for quality of life.

According to JJ Virgin, author of The Virgin Diet, gluten causes other health issues as well. She maintains that anyone who has gluten on a regular basis will suffer from inflammation, which can lead to joint pain, arthritis and heart disease. Inflammation is also a major contributor to several types of cancer.

Insulin resistance is also a major concern for those, like Ms. Virgin, who propose adopting a gluten free diet. She says that regular gluten consumption has created a generation of people who are "fat, sick and tired".

The choice to be gluten free.

There are those in the medical community who tell their patients that, unless they receive a diagnosis of Celiac Disease (as a result of a blood test) they shouldn't worry about eliminating gluten from their diets. And then there are doctors who are more open minded with patients who are suffering from some of the same symptoms. For these patients, they are experiencing inflammation, without actual "damage". Rather than receiving Celiac Disease diagnosis, they are considered to have gluten sensitivity. In these cases, adopting a gluten free diet offers symptom relief.

What concerns medical professionals is that by eliminating gluten completely, patients may not receive essential nutrients such as iron, Vitamin B12, fiber, magnesium and Vitamin D. They are concerned that these patients will fall prey to company marketing strategies like "gluten free", only to replace gluten in their products with more carbohydrates, fat and sodium.

The important thing to remember is this: if you are going to eliminate gluten in your diet, consult your physician. Be sure you aren't simply replacing your favorite breads, pasta and crackers with those that simply have the words "gluten free" on the package. Be sure to eat plenty of lean protein, as well as vegetables, fruits (especially berries) and fiber rich foods like lentils and sweet potatoes.