If you are interested on going on a diet, you may have already done your research and found out about the gluten free diet. What is this diet? Why is it the subject of numerous controversies and debates? In this article, we will try to answer these questions that you may have so that you can determine whether or not implementing this particular diet is really good for you.
A Brief Overview on this Type of Diet
As already implied by the term, a gluten free diet is a type of diet that eliminates all food products that contain gluten. Gluten is a form of protein complex most commonly found in wheat, triticale, barley, and rye. While this diet is a must for people suffering from celiac disease, it has grown significantly in popularity among those who are aiming for weight loss and for improved health.
Case Studies and Scientific Research Suggesting that Gluten is Bad for Most People’s Health
There have been a number of case studies and scientific research conducted about the safety of consuming food products that contain gluten. The results suggest that this protein complex is bad for most people’s health, aside from those who are already suffering from health problem celiac disease. Here are some of the studies and research:
Article from the Journal of the American Medical Association – This article reported on a study conducted on more than 30,000 patients. The datas collected starting from the year 1969 to 2008. The participants either had intestinal inflammation (not full-blown celiac disease), gluten sensitivity, or celiac disease. Those who were suffering from celiac disease had a 39 percent higher fatality risk. Those who were suffering from intestinal inflammation had 72 percent risk. Participants with gluten sensitivity had a 35 percent risk.
Another study reviewed and compared blood tests of 10,000 participants (50 years ago) with 10,000 participants today. The discovery was shocking: there was a 400 percent increase in individuals suffering from full-blown celiac disease. Elevated antibodies found in the blood (TTG antibodies) were used as the basis of measurement. These increased significantly when there is gluten reaction taking place.
There are other studies being done in the hopes of determining that gluten is indeed bad for the health. However, the two mentioned above should already be an indication of the negative effects that this protein complex have.
Reasons to Go Gluten-Free Despite of Not Being Sensitive to It
Even if you are not suffering from celiac disease, gluten
sensitivity, or intestinal inflammation, you should still consider going on a gluten-free diet. There are a number of good reasons why and here are some of them:
This type of diet allows you to eliminate processed foods which are very unhealthy.
As a result of no longer consuming processed foods, weight loss will naturally take place.
Certain types of opioid peptides have been found in wheat. These are the same drugs used in the creation of morphine and many other extremely addictive drugs.
It has been found that gluten has the potential of supporting the development and creation of cancer cells. Going on a gluten free diet can help you reduce your risks of developing cancer.