It seems like every time a health condition is highly covered by the media a new fad diet pops up, imagined by marketing pundits as the latest way for food companies to rake in more cash. Real gluten problems do exist and eating a diet high in wheat products can definitely wreak havoc for anyone suffering from a real intestinal problem related to gluten. How do you know if eating gluten-free will really improve your health?
Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance and Gluten Sensitivity
There are three primary health conditions that warrant eating a gluten-free diet. Celiac disease is an immune system disorder in which the immune system attacks the intestinal tract when wheat products or foods containing gluten are consumed. Gluten intolerance and gluten sensitivity are health conditions in which the body does not tolerate gluten foods well, making it uncomfortable and potentially dangerous to eat foods with gluten.
Common symptoms for these three conditions include diarrhea, gas, bloating, abdominal pain and constipation. Celiac disease can also result in blood in the stool, fatigue, anemia and malnutrition.
Researchers are now considering gluten intolerance and sensitivity to be conditions that are similar to allergic reactions. Since wheat has become a staple in processed foods in recent decades, it is entirely possible that people in developed countries have been exposed to far too much gluten, resulting in reactions to food with wheat as an ingredient.
You can get tested to see if you are gluten intolerant. EnteroLab is a registered and fully accredited clinical laboratory specializing in the analysis of intestinal specimens for food sensitivities. They have test kits they can provide by postal mail. If you believe you are at risk for Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance or Gluten Sensitivity, you can order test kits on their site.
A gluten-free diet will not help you lose weight, it will not help your skin glow and it will not keep you looking young. However, if you eat a large amount of processed foods, you are probably getting far more gluten and wheat products than you really need. You can take easy steps to reduce your gluten intake simply by eating more whole organic foods, such as fruits and vegetables. This alone will make you feel better overall and improve your intestinal health without the need to buy into the latest fad health craze needlessly.
– The Alternative Daily
