When Gluten Is A Problem
Whats not great about gluten is that it can cause serious side effects in certain individuals. Some people react differently to gluten, where the body senses it as a toxin, causing ones immune cells to overreact and attack it. If an unknowingly sensitive person continues to eat gluten, this creates a kind of battle ground resulting in inflammation. The side effects can range from mild to severe as seen in the autoimmune disorder celiac disease. Estimates suggest that 1 in 133 Americans has celiac disease, or about 1% of the population, but about 83% of them are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions. Research shows that people with celiac disease also have a slightly higher risk of osteoporosis and anemia infertility nerve disorders and in rare cases cancer. The good news is that removing gluten from the diet may reverse the damage. A gluten-free diet is the primary medical treatment for celiac disease. However, understanding and following a strict gluten-free diet can be challenging, possibly requiring the guidance of a registered dietitian to learn which foods contain gluten and to ensure that adequate nutrients are obtained from gluten-free alternatives. Other conditions that may require the reduction or elimination of gluten in the diet include:
Does gluten cause brain fog?
Gluten Free Vs Grain Free Dog Food
Many people have tried gluten free or grain free diets as a way of potentially improving their health and well-being. Now, the dog owners among them are considering the potential benefits of these diets for their dog.
If youre considering feeding a grain free or gluten free dog food, you first need to understand how dog foods that are grain free and gluten free are alike – and how they are different:- Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. In pet food, gluten helps foods maintain their shape, acting as a glue that holds food together. So, if you are looking for a gluten free diet, then you will need to find dog foods that do not contain wheat, barley, or rye. – As the name suggests, grain free dog food recipes do not contain grains, such as wheat, barley, rice, oats, and rye.
Gluten allergies are rare both in humans and dogs. A small percentage of people have celiac disease and require a gluten-free diet since the gluten proteins found in some cereal grains cause damage to the villi in the small intestine and impair their ability to effectively absorb nutrients.2 However, less than 1% of dogs have a true sensitivity to grain. In dogs, this sensitivity is called gluten-sensitive enteropathy. It is a rare inherited disease reported only in a small number of Irish Setters in the UK. It is not the same disease process as celiac disease in humans.
What’s The Difference Between Grain
You’ve heard of a gluten-free diet, but have you heard of a grain-free one? The paleo diet calls for the elimination of anything processed, which includes grains, but a specifically grain-free diet is less popular.
We wanted to find out what the difference is between a grain-free and a gluten-free diet, so we called on Ben Frohlichstein and Stacey Marcellus, cofounders and co-CEOs of Cappello’s, a gluten- and grain-free, paleo-friendly pasta, pizza, and cookie dough company, plus Kelli McGrane MS, RD for the food-tracking app Lose It!, for insight on the health benefits of a grain-free diet.
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May Enhance Weight Loss
A grain-free diet may promote weight loss, likely because its naturally devoid of processed grains found in calorie-rich, nutrient-poor foods like white bread, white pasta, pizza, doughnuts, cookies, and other baked goods.
Whats more, cutting a whole food group out of your diet may reduce your overall daily calorie intake, creating the calorie deficit needed to lose weight.
Yet research clearly shows that as long as you create a calorie deficit, you will lose weight regardless of whether your diet contains grains. In fact, evidence suggests that eating whole grains may promote weight loss and boost your metabolism (
So, cutting out all grains from your diet is not a requirement for weight loss.
What Is Canine Heart Disease Or Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a type of canine heart disease that affects the heart muscle. The hearts of dogs with DCM have a decreased ability to pump blood, which often results in congestive heart failure.
Some breeds, especially large and giant breeds, have a predisposition to DCM. These breeds include Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, and Saint Bernards. While DCM is less common in medium and small breeds, English and American Cocker Spaniels are also predisposed to this condition.
The reports submitted to the FDA span a wide range of breeds, including many without a known genetic predisposition. When early reports from the veterinary cardiology community indicated that recent, atypical cases in breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Whippets, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus all consistently ate grain alternatives in their diets, the FDA took notice.
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Wheat Allergy Vs Celiac Disease
The problem is the way food labeling laws in the United States are crafted. Laws in other countries differ in Canada, for example, gluten must be disclosed.
The U.S. food labeling laws are aimed at so-called “true” allergies . True allergies, if severe enough, can be immediately life-threatening, which is why the law targets them. Wheat allergy is a true allergy, while celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are not true allergies.
Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity obviously can be serious conditions if left untreated. But neither condition will result in immediate death if you are accidentally exposed to gluten.
Wheat can cause a major, sudden allergic reaction if you suffer from wheat allergy. That’s why labeling laws in the U.S. require manufacturers to disclose wheat in productsit’s considered one of the “big eight” allergens, which also include milk, soy, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish and shellfish.
Since wheat is included in the U.S. food labeling law but gluten is not, food manufacturers don’t have to specifically disclose barley or rye ingredients in their ingredient lists.
In other countries, labeling differs and food manufacturers follow those guidelines. For example, it’s not uncommon in the United Kingdom to find foods labeled “gluten-free” that are made with wheat starch, which in its purest form does not contain gluten. But food made with wheat starch isn’t safe for those with wheat allergy.
What Are The Health Benefits Of A Grain
These compounds are hard for the body to digest, especially for those who suffer from celiac disease, chrons disease, and even those with gluten sensitivities. Processed grains such as white rice also have a higher glycemic index, meaning that it raises blood sugar, which can be problematic for those with diabetes. Plus, as Frohlichstein points out, “the quality of gluten-free alternatives most often are still nutritionally inferior to gluten-containing products.”6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
McGrane explains that while diets free of grain are believed to reduce chronic inflammation, assist with weight loss, and even alleviate bloating, long-term research that supports these claims in healthy individuals doesn’t currently exist. In fact, what does exist is research that suggests whole grains help to reduce inflammation.
“However, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which is a type of grain-free diet, has been shown to help reduce symptoms in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease,” says McGrane.
As is the case with just about any diet that requires the removal of some type of food, whether current long-term research on healthy individuals exists or not shouldn’t deter one from trying the diet if they feel like it will help them specifically.
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Eight Grains That Are Gluten
Struggling with what to eat on a gluten-free diet? Enjoy these eight grains that are gluten-free
Grains that are gluten-free tend to be easier on digestion, especially for people who are intolerant or sensitive to gluten. The protein found in grains wheat, rye and barley – helps foods to maintain their shape, acting a bit like glue holding them together.
Gluten is in a wide range of foods, even ones you wouldnt expect including soy sauce, pickles and some hot chocolates. Food labeling can often confuse matters, as just because something is called wheat-free, doesnt mean its gluten-free.
Some people have a chronic condition called celiac disease, an autoimmune disease which leads to inflammation in the gut and destroys the intestinal villus, the tiny hair-like projections that line the inside of the small intestine that help to absorb nutrients, says nutritionist Signe Svanfeldt, from nutrition app Lifesum. People with celiac disease need to avoid gluten from their diet.
People can also be sensitive to foods that contain gluten and may want to reduce their intake, as it could lead to stomach ache and other digestive issues, adds Svanfeldt. Sensitivity to these foods should, however, not be confused with celiac disease, which is a worse condition.
There has been an on-going trend to eat a gluten-free diet, but there is no need to do so if you are not suffering from a disease, wheat allergy or other condition where you need to exclude gluten from your diet.
Cornmeal Polenta Grits Hominy
These foods are derived from corn. Polenta is cooked yellow cornmeal that can be served as a creamy smooth side dish or left to set and served in wedges. Grits are a cornmeal made from white corn typically with the germ and bran of the kernel removed. Hominy is a form of whole grain corn that has been processed to give it an almost bean-like or meaty texture. Corn is a rich source of complex carbohydrates and B vitamins.
TIP: Use cooked, cooled, firmed-up polenta in place of lasagna noodles.
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Whats Wrong With Grains
To be fair, nothing is inherently wrong with grains. In fact, most evidence suggests that grains are a healthy part of a human diet. While grains may be healthy for the majority of the population, this may not be universally true for all individuals.
Although it is largely anecdotal, people worldwide have reported relief from a myriad of health concerns on a grain-free diet or a paleo diet.
Given the etiology and prevalence of the autoimmune disease worldwide, these reports make sense. Many people begin a Grain free diet with the hopes of achieving weight loss, improvements in mood and cognition, improved insulin sensitivity, and respite from the scourges of autoimmune disease.
May Help Treat Certain Health Conditions
A grain-free diet is most commonly followed by those with certain autoimmune diseases, and several studies support its use in these cases.
For example, celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects around 1% of the Western population. It causes your body to mistake gluten, a protein in wheat, as a threat, sending your immune system into overdrive .
This can lead to gut inflammation, which in turn can cause severe nutrient deficiencies and other digestive concerns. People with celiac disease must exclude all gluten-containing grains from their diet (
19 ).
Still, its worth noting that whole grains may offer anti-inflammatory benefits of their own. Unless you have celiac disease, wheat allergy, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, you likely dont need to completely cut out grains to successfully fight inflammation .
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May Be Unnecessarily Restrictive
Though research supports the benefits of excluding specific grains from certain peoples diets, evidence on the benefits of excluding all grains from everyones diet is lacking.
Plus, most of the benefits linked to a grain-free diet can be achieved in ways that dont require cutting out an entire food group.
Moreover, excluding all grains from your diet can reduce variety and make your diet unnecessarily restrictive. This may make this way of eating less sustainable in the long term.
Whats more, unnecessarily demonizing grains under the disguise of health may serve to promote extreme fixation on healthy eating, which is common in people with orthorexic disordered eating behaviors .
summary
Grain-free diets may limit nutrient intake, increase your risk of constipation, and be difficult to sustain in the long term. Unnecessarily demonizing grains for purported health reasons may also promote orthorexic eating behaviors.
The following food categories can be included on a grain-free diet:
You may also choose to include marinades and salad dressings as added fats, as well as sweeteners, such as sugar, maple syrup, or honey. Still, youre encouraged to focus on whole, minimally processed foods.
summary
A grain-free diet allows most foods, as long as theyre devoid of grains. This includes fruits, vegetables, legumes, meat, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, pseudocereals, nuts, seeds, and non-grain-based flours.
Grain-free diets generally exclude the following food categories:
Is Grain Free Dog Food Gluten Free
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. Just so, is grain free same as gluten free?
Gluten is a protein found in many cereal grains, including wheat, barley, rye, and triticale. In a glutenfree diet, only grains and products containing gluten are eliminated, says McGrane. A grainfree diet eliminates all grains, including ones that are glutenfree, including rice and corn.
Additionally, which grains do not contain gluten? 8 Gluten-Free Grains That Are Super Healthy
- Sorghum. Sorghum is typically cultivated as both a cereal grain and animal feed.
- Quinoa. Quinoa has quickly become one of the most popular gluten-free grains.
- Oats. Oats are very healthy.
- Buckwheat. Despite its name, buckwheat is a grain-like seed thats unrelated to wheat and gluten-free.
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Potential Benefits Of Going Grain Free
One of the biggest benefits of eliminating grains is that it may lead to an increase in other nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds and a decrease in processed foods and sweets. Many processed grain products “have little nutritional value and are high in fat, sugar, and sodium,” notes Lisa Andrews, M.Ed., RD, LD Owner Sound Bites Nutrition, LLC.
There have been claims that grains cause inflammation, leading to a whole host of other health problems. However, research to support this is extremely limited and most of what exists to support this claim is in animal models. In fact several studies have shown that whole grains may actually reduce inflammatory markers in humans.
What’s The Difference Between A Grain
“Gluten is a protein found in many cereal grains, including wheat, barley, rye, and triticale. In a gluten-free diet, only grains and products containing gluten are eliminated,” says McGrane. “A grain-free diet eliminates all grains, including ones that are gluten-free, including rice and corn. As a result, the grain-free diet is much more restrictive.”
Marcellus points out that the Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council splits grains into three categories: grains containing gluten, gluten-free grains, and gluten-free pesudo-cereals, which include quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth. Gluten-free pseudo-cereals, also known as pseudograins, are grown from a flowering broadleaf pseudocereal. Conversely, grains are grown from the grass.
“Most who embrace a grain-free lifestyle are looking to ease digestive issues, relieve inflammation, and balance gut health. Going grain-free means going that extra step beyond gluten-free and eliminating all grains, including corn, rice, and quinoa,” she says.
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Whole Grains And Refined Grains
An entire grain kernel consists of three parts- bran, germ, and endosperm. The outer shell of the grain is called the bran, while germ and endosperm make the interior.
Each portion of grain has its nutritional value therefore, whole grains are considered healthier than their counterpart. Alternatively, refined grains go through a process that strips them of the bran and germ, leaving the endosperm.
Recent studies conclude that refined grains are nothing but a source of carbohydrates and protein. Excessive consumption of refined grains that exclude fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants of the bran and germ is unhealthy. Thus, if youre adding grains to your diet, opt for whole grains.
When To Worry About Labels
Barley is the most common hidden gluten grain, as it can masquerade as sweetener, malt or “natural flavor.” So a product labeled “wheat-free” but not “gluten-free” could contain hidden barley.
In other cases, the barley may not be hidden, but it’s only apparent if you scan the ingredients list. Some manufacturers specifically call out non-gluten-free ingredients in these lists. Newman’s Own, for example, markets wheat-free, dairy-free sandwich cookies that contain barley flour, and the brand lists “organic barley flour” as the cookies’ second ingredient and states that it is “not a gluten-free product.”
Sometimes spelta form of wheat that’s considered to have less gluten, but is definitely not gluten-free also is marketed as “wheat-free.” This may occur in some bakeries, health food stores, and farmers’ markets.
It’s also possible to have a product labeled “gluten-free” that contains wheat-based ingredients. Several brands in the U.S. and Europe are experimenting with using wheat starch to improve the texture of their commercial gluten-free baked goods. These wheat-starch-containing foods would not be safe for someone with a true wheat allergy, but they might be okay for someone who avoids gluten.
A food labeled “wheat-free” that contains gluten ingredients would be safe for someone with a wheat allergy to consume, but not for someone with celiac or gluten sensitivity.
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Gluten Sensitivity And Intolerance Symptoms Often Fly Under The Radar
You may have symptoms from eating gluten and not realize it. When people think about food reactions its usually the gut that comes to mind. However, out of every eight people who react to gluten, only one of them has gut-related symptoms. Other people might get symptoms like brain fog or fatigue . In addition, gluten sensitivity is often delayed. This means you may not feel the symptoms for hours or even days after youve consumed gluten or grains. Furthermore, not everyone will experience the same symptoms. Each person will react in their own unique way.
