Lessens Frustrating Hair Loss
Hair loss is commonly seen in those with major nutrient deficiencies like iron. And remember how if you have celiac youre at a higher risk of anemia?
Exactly.
Your gluten-ridden diet could be contributing to hair loss. But when you avoid gluten? Your small intestine starts to heal, which means youre able to absorb more nutrients.
Oh, hello again hair!
Type 1 Diabetes And Celiac Disease
The prevalence of celiac disease is increased in those with other autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes. The prevalence of celiac disease in people with type 1 diabetes is estimated to be between 1.4 and 19.7% . The common denominators in both conditions are the HLA DQ2 and HLA DQ8 genes however, environmental factors such as infections, infant feeding practices, and breastfeeding may play a role, although to what extent is unknown . In addition, there is emerging research into the potential role of the gut microbiome .
Adult patients with new onset type 1 diabetes may be even more likely to develop celiac disease. Bakker et al. found that 42% of those with adult-onset type 1 diabetes developed celiac disease 10 years after diagnosis. A delay in celiac disease diagnosis may occur in adults, whose gastrointestinal symptoms may be incorrectly attributed to neuropathy . One study found that 48% of adult patients with type 1 diabetes had been symptomatic for > 5 years before being diagnosed with celiac disease .
There does not appear to be a link between type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and the development of celiac disease. One study showed a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome in those with celiac disease, even after controlling for BMI, which was significantly lower in those with celiac disease .
Health Benefits Of Avoiding Gluten
By now, youve probably heard of Coeliac Disease. For those fortunate not to, Coeliac Disease is an autoimmune disorder in which eating gluten triggers an immune response in the body, causing inflammation and damage to the small intestine. Its most visible symptoms are gastrointestinal discomforts such as diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and gassiness, among other things. And its not an uncommon condition, as studies have revealed that 1 in 100 people worldwide are afflicted by Coeliac Disease.
One easy way to remedy the symptoms of Coeliac Disease is to remove gluten from your diet. Although this may seem like an inconvenience, gluten-free products like our Soft White Sandwich Loaf provide a slew of health benefits due to the number or nutrients and vitamins our products provide from using only the finest, and most fresh premium ingredients without any added sugar. Given these health benefits of certain gluten-free products, would it actually be worth it to go gluten-free even if you arent suffering from Coeliac Disease? Read on to find out more about the health benefits of avoiding gluten!
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Tips For Going Gluten
Before trying a gluten-free diet, consult a registered dietitian for help creating a gluten-free meal plan that meets your unique needs.
You may also find these tips helpful:
- Choose whole foods that dont contain gluten and are packed with nutrients and fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, rice, amaranth, buckwheat, millet, and quinoa.
- in your pantry with bright labels or keep them on a separate shelf.
- Avoid cross-contamination by separating utensils, cutting boards, and toasters.
- Put condiments in squeeze bottles to keep knives and crumbs out.
When To Call The Doctor
If you think you may have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, talk with your provider. You should be tested for celiac disease, which is a serious condition.
If you have symptoms of gluten sensitivity or intolerance, do not stop eating gluten without first getting tested for celiac disease. You may have a different health condition that a gluten-free diet cannot treat. Also, following a gluten-free diet for several months or years may make it more difficult to accurately diagnose celiac disease. If you stop eating gluten before being tested, it will affect the results.
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Why Would I Want To Go Gluten & Dairy
Skin: Gluten and dairy can trigger an inflammatory response, which can lead to skin conditions such as acne or eczema. Also, the hormones found in milk can increase oil production in the skin and clog pores. By eliminating gluten and dairy, you may see drastic changes in the appearance of your skin.
Mental Health: Depression and brain fog are common effects of eating gluten for those with a sensitivity to it. Dairy has shown to affect peoples brain and mood. Many people experience improved mood, reduced mental health issues, and a boost of energy by eliminating dairy and gluten. Going gluten-free and dairy-free may be just what you need to feel like yourself again.
Gut/Digestion: For those who cant process gluten properly, eating it can damage the lining of the small intestine, leading to a leaky gut. When the lining is damaged, this can cause digestive issues such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, cramps, and other symptoms like irritability. Dairy is also linked to these digestion problems and has been identified as a trigger of other digestive conditions such as IBS. Cutting out gluten and/or dairy can help relieve stomach issues.
Other: Many people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease have found that their headaches went away when they stopped eating gluten. Since dairy can cause excessive mucus production, those who avoided dairy found that their sinuses and congestion cleared up.
Why I Went Gluten
The gluten-free transition is not always an easy one. Before I took the time to educate myself about gluten and its effects on the human body, I casually shrugged off the term gluten-free. I was vegan and eating healthily, I thought, but something was still off with my digestion and energy levels. After doing some of my own research, I finally realized years of struggling with depression, anxiety, hormonal imbalances, joint pain, constipation, and mental fog were due to my serious gluten intolerance.
Should you go gluten-free and vegan?
Dr. Kaslow explains that to those intolerant to the protein, gluten destroys the inner lining, or the finger like villa, of the intestine that takes in nourishment from food. In Western society we are over-eating, yet undernourished, and thus not getting the nutrients from food that help us get the juice out of life to feel happy.
So you throw out those organic wheat crackers, pour the soy sauce down the drain, and think now what?
How to start:
Even a taste of beer can really hinder the detoxification process and prolong the healing period. If you are gluten intolerant or celiac, even a crumb of gluten is going to cause an immune system reaction and you will experience negative effects within hours.
What to expect:
Your stomach:
Your skin:
Your brain:
Your personality:
Gluten-poisoning:
Some really helpful links for your new journey into the gluten-free diet!
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What Is A Gluten
This is essentially a diet that removes all foods containing or contaminated with gluten. However, since gluten-containing whole grains contain fiber and nutrients including B vitamins, magnesium, and iron, its important to make up for these missing nutrients. Along with consuming naturally gluten-free foods in their whole form like fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish, eggs, and poultry, the following whole grains are also inherently gluten-free:
- Gluten-free oats
Its also key not to rely on processed gluten-free foods that may be high in calories, sugar, saturated fat, and sodium and low in nutrients, such as gluten-free cookies, chips, and other snack foods. Often, these foods are made with processed unfortified rice, tapioca, corn, or potato flours.
Gluten And Health Benefits
Gluten is most often associated with wheat and wheat-containing foods that are abundant in our food supply. Negative media attention on wheat and gluten has caused some people to doubt its place in a healthful diet. There is little published research to support these claims in fact published research suggests the opposite.
In a 2017 study of over 100,000 participants without celiac disease, researchers found no association between long-term dietary gluten consumption and heart disease risk. In fact, the findings also suggested that non-celiac individuals who avoid gluten may increase their risk of heart disease, due to the potential for reduced consumption of whole grains.
- Many studies have linked whole grain consumption with improved health outcomes. For example, groups with the highest intakes of whole grains including wheat compared with groups eating the lowest amounts were found to have significantly lower rates of heart disease and stroke, development of type 2 diabetes, and deaths from all causes.
Gluten may also act as a prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria in our bodies. Arabinoxylan oligosaccharide is a prebiotic carbohydrate derived from wheat bran that has been shown to stimulate the activity of bifidobacteria in the colon. These bacteria are normally found in a healthy human gut. Changes in their amount or activity have been associated with gastrointestinal diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome.
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Supercharged Health Benefits Of Eating A Gluten
Gluten-free foods have become a fad and there is plenty of debate regarding the health benefits and risks of going gluten free even if you dont have gluten intolerance. However, a gluten-free diet is an absolute must for those suffering from celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Gluten is present in almost all foods from bread and cereals to snacks, beverages and even sauces. While this can make it hard you to avoid products containing gluten altogether, its well worth the effort.
There are plenty of myths about the gluten-free diet but the one thing that is certain is that it offers tremendous health benefits for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Here are a few of the health benefits of following a gluten-free diet.
Con: Lack Of Nutrients
This is a big gluten free con as well. You see, when you get rid of any gluten in your diet, you’re not just running the risk of not getting enough folate. You’ll also be severely lacking in many other important nutrients and vitamins. You’ll have to get your fiber from other sources, not to mention your iron, both of which are very important aspects of a healthy, well balanced diet.
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Gluten And Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Diet has been shown to play an important role in some patients with IBS, and multiple studies have evaluated both gluten exposure and the clinical benefits of the implementation of a GFD in patients with IBS. In one of the earliest studies of a GFD for IBS, Wahnschaffe and colleagues described a group of IBS patients with negative serum celiac disease antibodies and positive intestinal celiac disease antibodies detected on duodenal aspirate who had both improvement in their IBS symptoms and a reduction in intestinal antibody levels when placed on a GFD for 6 months. It could be argued that these biomarkers and the response to the GFD are consistent with latent or potential celiac disease however, these patients would likely be labeled as having NCGS in clinical practice where intestinal antibodies are not routinely obtained. In another study from the same investigators, patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS who were HLA-DQ2/8positive and who had elevated levels of IgG celiac diseaseassociated serum antibodies had greater reductions in IBS symptom scores after 6 months on a GFD than patients who were HLA-DQ2/8negative and IgG celiac diseaseantibody negative .
Pro: Improved Overall Health
Another gluten free pro is unquestionably the fact that taking gluten out of your diet can improve certain aspects of your overall health. For example, eliminating gluten can definitely help you lose weight. As mentioned, it helps with certain diseases, such as celiac disease. Even something as simple as migraines can see some relief by eliminating gluten from your daily diet.
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Reduced Risk Of Heart Disease And Diabetes
Eliminating gluten can help lower your risk of heart disease, some types of cancers, and other health-related illnesses. Recent studies are showing a link between gluten sensitivity and different types of heart disease. One study showed that the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the fluid around the heart was a precursor to pericarditis
In another study, the researchers found that those with untreated Celiac or gluten insensitivity often suffer from malnourishment, which can subsequently lead to cardiomyopathy and other cardiac disorders.
Recently, research indicates that since both Celiac and diabetes are autoimmune diseases, it is likely that they share a genetic basis. New guidelines suggest that people with type 1 diabetes should receive testing for both Celiac and gluten sensitivity, with a further recommendation that they try a gluten-free diet.
In addition, the American Diabetes Association believes that all children with type 1 diabetes should be screened for Celiac. By moving to a gluten-free diet, you or your family may help reduce their chances of getting Celiac disease.
How Long It Takes To Feel Better After Gluten
Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, where he is also a professor. He was the founding editor and co-editor in chief of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
If you’re about to start the gluten-free diet, the good news is that many people start to feel better within just a few days. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll be back to feeling absolutely normal within a week’s time. It will take a lot more time to recover completely, especially if you had severe celiac disease symptoms prior to being diagnosed.
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What Are The Risks Of Going Gluten
For those with coeliac disease, going gluten-free is essential, but for those who dont it can actually have a negative impact on your health. Completely removing gluten from your diet would mean changing it completely. There are a lot of foods you would have to give up, and any time you eliminate whole food categories youve been used to eating, you run the risk of nutritional deficiencies. You would have to give up the vast majority of breads, breakfast cereals, crackers, pastas, baked goods and even a wide range of processed foods which are made with small amounts of gluten. It would be difficult for you to adequately replace all the essential nutrients youd be cutting out, so unless you have coeliac disease, its generally not worth the risk.
One of the major reasons gluten-free diets have become more popular recently is the endorsement of celebrities. Gaynor Bussell, a dietitian and spokesperson for the Association for Nutrition, says that many people have been duped by popular but poorly informed celebrities and media. When the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow talk about how going gluten-free has changed their lives, it encourages a large number of people to try this type of diet themselves. The demand for gluten-free products goes up, so supermarkets stock more of them to meet consumer demand. The problem is, too many blindly follow this food trend without knowing how much they are disrupting the balance of their diets.
