Why eliminate gluten

These attacks lead to damage on the villi, small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine and promote nutrient absorption. Experts believe NCWS is caused by inflammation, but the exact process is unknown. Fasano says many people with NCWS may not know they have it, because symptoms are not always apparent from birth.

This is also the case for celiac disease, which can present as asymptomatic. Following a gluten-free diet is what physicians recommend for anyone with NCWS. Still, gluten-free diets have developed a reputation as a fad. A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine revealed that the number of people following a gluten-free diet tripled between and , but the number of people with celiac disease remains constant the study does not include data on NCWS diagnoses.

You can absolutely have a healthy, balanced gluten-free diet, but it requires making proper choices. A diet low in fiber can lead to constipation, blood sugar fluctuations, weight gain , and high cholesterol. And Karen Ansel, R.

People living in rural areas or food deserts may not have access to the same variety of foodstuffs. While I still love gluten-free pizza and some tolerable varieties of gluten-free beer, my current diet is much richer in whole foods than it was before my NCWS diagnosis.

Some might wonder whether the switch to a diet rich in whole foods would be enough to make me feel better, for reasons having nothing to do with gluten. According to Dr. Leffler, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Just 50 milligrams of the protein—about the amount in one small crouton—is enough to cause trouble. In people with celiac disease, gluten in the bloodstream triggers an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine.

This can interfere with the absorption of nutrients from food, cause a host of symptoms, and lead to other problems like osteoporosis, infertility, nerve damage, and seizures. A related condition called gluten sensitivity or non-celiac gluten sensitivity can generate symptoms similar to celiac disease but without the intestinal damage.

Not long ago, celiac disease was diagnosed by a process of elimination. Today it can be identified with a blood test for the presence of antibodies against a protein called tissue transglutaminase. A biopsy of the intestine confirms the diagnosis. Avoiding gluten means more than giving up traditional breads, cereals, pasta, pizza, and beer.

Gluten also lurks in many other products, including frozen vegetables in sauces, soy sauce, some foods made with "natural flavorings," vitamin and mineral supplements, some medications, and even toothpaste. This makes following a gluten-free diet extremely challenging. Fortified breads and cereals have become a major source of B vitamins in the United States. It might be, say the researchers.

But the health benefits found in this study seem to hinge more on the quality of the fiber in the diet, not merely the absence of gluten. Gluten-free may not necessarily be the healthy choice many people think it is.

They can experience symptoms that include constipation and…. Research presented at the London Microbiome Meeting in the United Kingdom sheds light on this important question.

Medical News Today report. Gluten is a protein in wheat and many cereal products. It causes problems for people with celiac disease, and some people avoid it because they may…. Gluten free diets are becoming more popular. Their GI issues will often go away. She cautions that going gluten-free does not necessarily mean you are following a healthy meal plan. For example, while some corn chips are gluten-free, they are often processed, high in fat and low in nutrients.

If your doctor diagnoses you with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, there are plenty of foods you can still enjoy, including beans, legumes, eggs, fish, chicken, fruit, vegetables and most dairy products. You can even buy gluten-free grains and flours, such as rice, corn, quinoa, amaranth, flax and buckwheat. Navigating the waters of gluten-free restaurant dining can be trickier.

You can also bring your own bread or crackers. To really ensure that a restaurant prepares your food safely, carry index cards that explain what you can and cannot eat.