The gluten-free diet is a must for any person who experiences wheat allergy and suffering from other gluten-sensitive diseases. It is an eating plan that excludes food with gluten, which is a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye.
Why avoid gluten
Gluten is a naturally-occurring form of protein found in most food you know: bread, pasta, beer. It serves as a binding agent for some processed food and substances to hold their shape together. It can also be extracted, concentrated, and added to different products for texture and flavor. That is why it is also used in cosmetics and nutritional supplements.
The problem with gluten is that it cannot be completely broken down by the enzyme that processes proteins in the body. Undigested gluten then goes to the small intestines. When this happens, some people experience adverse gastrointestinal reactions. Other people get triggered by a severe autoimmune response, an illness called celiac disease.
When to avoid gluten
The wheat protein-free diet is not just any trendy fad diet that surfaces every year. It is the number one prescription for people with celiac disease. With celiacs, gluten triggers an immune system activity that damages the small intestine lining. Over time, the impaired lining will not absorb nutrients from food.
Another autoimmune disease inflicted by this protein is called gluten ataxia. Here, specific nerve tissues are affected, causing muscle control and voluntary muscle movement problems. People with this disease are also advised to undergo the gluten-free diet.
Other people with gluten intolerance and wheat allergies are also prescribed to go gluten-free to prevent ill symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, rash, headache, and foggy brain. For people with allergies, congestion and breathing difficulties may also occur, which can be avoided by switching to the regimen.
Some people without gluten sensitivities opt to adopt this diet to gain numerous benefits.
10 Benefits of Going Gluten-Free
There have been a handful of myths surrounding this regimen. Whether or not you are required to adopt it, it offers many benefits for your overall health:
Eliminates bloating
If you always get bloated, nauseous, or gassy after eating a regular meal, you may be sensitive to one or more food intake ingredients. Try excluding gluten from your diet and watch what happens. Gluten-intolerant people felt the difference within days after trying this diet.
Diminishes lactose intolerance
As explained above, when gluten is not entirely broken down, it goes to the small intestine and damages the intestinal lining. Now, this lining is essential for absorbing the nutrients from food.
Lactose is the one responsible for breaking down digested dairy products. It can also be found in the intestinal lining. What do you think will happen if the lining is damaged? The dairy you eat will be improperly digested. This is why lactose intolerance can coexist with gluten intolerance.
If you avoid gluten, the gut lining and the lactose are both safe. Digestion of dairy and all the nutrients you take in will improve.
Promotes healthy weight loss or gain
Those suffering from constant gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, gas, and fatigue may have had problems with nutritional deficiencies and weight loss. Taking away the grain protein from your diet will resolve these issues, and regaining a healthy weight will be a breeze.
There is no existing evidence that simply taking gluten out will result in weight loss for those who want to lose weight. However, getting into a gluten-free lifestyle will definitely push you to make healthier choices, resulting in a healthy weight loss in the long run.
Increases athletic performance
Gluten intolerance may also take a toll on your energy levels, resulting in chronic fatigue. This is due to the poor absorption of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, such as iron. A deficiency in iron leads to anemia. Weakness and fatigue follow, which keeps you from reaching your peak exercise performance.
Switching to a diet without this particular wheat protein heals the intestinal lining and increases nutritional absorption, bringing back energy and enhancing your athletic performance.
Improves bone health
With an impaired intestinal lining, vitamins and minerals from food, specifically, calcium is poorly absorbed. Bone health is also compromised, posing a risk for bone problems such as osteoporosis. Following a change in diet, significant progress in bone mineral density is seen.
Reduces joint pain
Gluten sensitivities may cause generalized inflammation in the body. It begins in the gastrointestinal system and may reach as far as the joints in your body. Especially at risk are the knees, back, and wrists. Modifying your diet prevents inflammation. The potential joint pain will be reduced altogether.
Addresses skin health concerns
Along the line of an inflammatory response to gluten, people with sensitivities to this grain’s protein may also develop inflammation in the body’s largest organ: the skin. They have a high risk of developing rashes, eczema, and psoriasis. Adopting a gluten-free diet has shown fewer occurrences of these skin problems.
Reduces hair loss
Hair loss is not rooted only in gluten-related diseases. Pertaining to nutritional deficiencies, the hair may also be affected. In severe cases, another autoimmune disease may come into play. The good news is that following a gluten-free regimen can help restore the hair that was lost. Regain hair density, volume, and texture by switching to the diet.
Decreases the incidence of headaches and brain fog
The gut-brain connection implies why people with gluten problems experience brain fog and severe migraine headaches. Although the link is still unclear, it has been proven how making dietary adjustments for just three months decreases the frequency of these headaches and foggy thinking.
Reduces depression
The problems connected to gluten intolerance can be pretty depressing. The anticipation of abdominal cramps, joint pain, or headaches can foist feelings of anxiety on anyone who experiences them. It goes without saying that treating these problems improves the overall quality of life.
There is no need to worry about not enjoying your favorite food. While it may take some adjustment to adopt the gluten-free diet, it will all be worth it. If you are experiencing symptoms of celiac disease or of gluten intolerance, consult your doctor.
At Wave the Grain, you can find a variety of gluten-free foods such as cakes, bread, pastries, and other desserts. We can even cater at your event! For your inquiries, you can call us at (303) 721-7547 or send us an email at kristin@wavethegrain.com.
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