Gluten Free Not Just for Celiac Disease
Used for Weight Loss, Autism, ADHD, Wheat Intolerance, and More
Aug 21, 2009
Having celiac disease is a great reason to avoid gluten, but it’s not the only reason to follow a gluten free diet. Gluten intolerance is increasing throughout the world, and millions are discovering that eating wheat and other foods that contain gluten is just not worth it.
Reasons to Go Gluten Free
Gluten is a type of protein that Allesio Fasano calls "useless." At best, it is filler (and that's exactly what it is used for in processed foods) taking the place of nutritious food; at worst, it is a poison that is causing the body to self-destruct. It is well-known that eating gluten can cause cancer in celiac patients.
People who have the following symptoms may want to go gluten free after consulting their doctors first.
Bowel or intestinal problems:
- Constipation or diarrhea
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Colitis
- Chron's disease
- gas and bloating
- acid reflux or heartburn
Skin problems:
- acne
- rashes
- hives
- dermatitis herpetiformis
Mood problems, cognitive problems or other conditions involving the brain :
- mood swings (especially if they haven't eaten recently, or just after eating)
- feeling sleepy after eating
- difficulty concentrating or making decisions (also called brain fog)
- ADHD or autism
Kenneth Bock, M. D., author of Healing the New Childhood Epidemics, sees patients who have autism, ADHD, asthma and/or allergies. For his patients, he prescribes a gluten free, casein-free diet, along with other treatments such as medications and supplements as needed. He explains that the proteins gluten and casein cause problems in the body, triggering the immune system and eventually resulting in a type of immune deficiency and many other diseases. A gfcf diet can alleviate symptoms of many medical conditions. Examples of other conditions that might be helped by the diet are fibromyalgia and diabetes.
Having a chronic disease is just one thing that may prompt someone to go gluten free. A gluten free diet might also help those who don't have a chronic disease, but are suffering from various common symptoms such as headache, constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, or acid reflux.
Gluten Free Casein Free Diet Can Be Easy to Follow Diet
Removing gluten from the diet may be enough for some people, but many people will need to remove both gluten and casein from their diet to improve their symptoms. Some complain that following a gluten-free, casein-free diet (gfcf diet) is complicated. It could be complicated, but doesn't need to be.
Eating in restaurants was once out of the question for anyone with celiac disease, food allergies or food intolerances. More restaurants are adding gluten free and even gluten free, casein free foods to their menus. More and more products that are safe to eat are hitting the supermarket shelves, but a person does not need any of these substitute foods to have a healthy diet.
Gluten Free Isn't Calorie Free. Too Much Processed Food Isn't Good.
In fact, too many gluten free substitute foods can make for an unhealthy diet. Cakes, cookies, pasta, chips... they may be gluten free, casein free, but they are also high in calories and low in vitamins. Some gfcf foods are made with whole grains such as amaranth and quinoa (pronounced KEEN wa), as opposed to wheat (flour); they might be healthier, but the focus should not be on processed foods, even if they are gluten free. A healthy diet focuses on plant foods: fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans) and whole grains in their natural state. Consult a nutritionist, dietician, or doctor for information on a healthy diet.
Consult a Medical Professional Before Going Gluten Free
Only a medical professional can give medical advice. Consulting a medical practitioner such as a doctor prior to making any changes in diet or exercise is always recommended.
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