What We Need To Know Before Going Gluten-Free
Essentially, gluten is the protein content in cereal grains, and it is mostly the content found in wheat bread. It credits the viscoelastic and adhesive properties that cause the dough to rise and keep in shape. This subject about gluten has become controversial these days as many have shifted to rid of it for no valid reason, as some experts would call it. Good sources are claiming that gluten is actually safe for all people except those diagnosed with celiac disease.
Gluten-free foods have shroomed everywhere. You’ll see more supermarkets putting up areas where gluten-free food options may be located. Some dedicated a row or column of a product’s gluten-free option. What’s more, restaurants have included that option too in their menus. To a greater degree, businesses in the food industry have considered this trend and worked along with it.
However, there’s much to learn about this diet than just by jumping on the bandwagon. Some people can’t tolerate gluten in their system as it could have adverse effects on their gut and leave them in great discomfort. Some have extreme cases so as only to tolerate gluten the size of a crouton. That is why people need to first look into their reasons for shifting to a gluten-free food plan. If you are one who’s basing it on other people’s testimonial, think twice as your body might be missing a whole lot of nutrients for this switch.
People who are diagnosed with celiac disease are those who feel relieved and better for avoiding this food. But those who only avoid it to lose weight, feel healthier, or boost their energy definitely will credit no benefit from that lifestyle. The only thing that it does is causing you to spend more on a practice based on little to no evidence at all, making it purely business.
Patients with celiac disease experience an immune response when tolerating gluten, damaging their small intestine’s lining, obstructing the body’s absorption of nutrients, and that even results in osteoporosis, infertility, nerve damage, and seizures. Although, one doesn’t need to be diagnosed with the condition to show symptoms of such degree, as gluten sensitivity may generate almost the same effects except for intestinal damage.
A gluten-free diet is beneficial only for the gluten-sensitive and under celiac conditions. Those who opt for this diet are giving up the following food for consumption: traditional bread, cereals, pasta, pizza, and beer. They might also have to avoid the following products: foods labeled with “natural flavorings,” sauces with frozen vegetables, soy sauce, some medications, vitamin and mineral supplements, and even toothpaste. Totally a limiting lifestyle that’ll be so much of a challenge for one.
If you’re that determined to go for gluten-free, though, it is best to see your physician to help you make up for ways to cover some of the nutritional deficiencies you are missing. So taking supplements such as a gluten-free multivitamin-multimineral supplement may be a good idea for anyone going gluten-free.
In these times we’re living now, it is crucial to consider our choices, especially when it comes to food. There are millions of people out there who are required to comply with the diet as their health conditions require them to. But to those who are just jumping in just because someone testified it’s good, it could only mean a bad investment in a lifestyle with little to no effect on your health at all. It’s always best to see your physician first if the gluten-free diet something you need to follow. Or better yet, let your physician suggest the safest food supplement for you.