Have you recently been hearing the word “gluten” excessively and seeing it almost everywhere, but not aware of the reason?
Are you considering going gluten-free but actually hesitant? Do you think you may be gluten sensitive but not quite sure?
Here’s an article that will allow you to get familiar with gluten and some of its biological effects.
What is gluten?
A question some of us have been asking, while others constantly neglect to. Gluten is the resultant combination of two protein compounds, Gliadin and Glutenin. In addition, one of Gluten’s most evident feature is that it gives some foods their elastic, thick and cushiony properties.
What contains gluten?
This macromolecule is mainly found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley and oats. Some of the most commonly consumed foods where gluten is present are the following: baked goods, bread, pasta, some soups, cereals, sauces, salad dressings, beers, food coloring and more.
What are common symptoms in patients suffering from gluten sensitivity and celiac disease?
In infants and children:
,- Difficulty growing up
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Mood swings
In adults:
,- Abdominal cramping
- Bloating
- Flatulence (gas)
- Infertility
- Headaches
- Recurrent diarrhea
- Constipation
- Oral ulcers
- Exhaustion
- Joint pain (in some cases Osteoporosis)
- Anemia (red blood cells deficiency)
Who is required to implement a gluten-free diet?
It is of popular belief nowadays that everyone should be going Gluten-free, because Gluten is toxic, it causes autoimmune diseases, it induces inflammation and probably a longer list that you may have read on the internet concerning Gluten’s harmful effects. But that is not true, at least scientifically.
The 2 most common scientifically approved conditions that require eliminating gluten from the diet are:
1. Gluten Sensitivity:
A case where the person is not allergic to wheat, does not suffer from celiac disease and does not have any stomach or intestinal problems. However, after ingesting gluten, the person does experience symptoms such as headaches, joint pain, and fatigue.
2. Celiac Disease
An autoimmune disease, where the person’s immune system attacks the epithelial walls of the small intestine as a reaction to Gluten. This person suffers from heavy bloating, diarrhea, flatulence and abdominal cramps among many other symptoms.
There is absolutely no need for people not suffering from any of the above conditions to implement a gluten-free diet, even if they think they are. The best way to make sure that you are suffering from one of the above conditions is to consult your medical physician and he/she will have you get some blood tests done.
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