Miley Cyrus recently tweeted about giving up gluten saying everyone should try it for a week. I actually decided to give up gluten for two weeks to experience what a patient might go through. I happened to be curious because so many people “anecdotally” tell me that they feel bloated when they eat pasta or bread (some people will just lump all white foods into that category).
Elisabeth Hasselback wrote a book about it. Victoria Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jenny McCarthy are doing it… should you? There are some individuals who have a sensitivity, allergy and intolerance to gluten. Celiac disease is the formal name for the auto immune disorder which causes individuals to have an inability to absorb gluten and cause gastro intestinal problems. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Grains that do not contain gluten are quinoa (pronounced Keen-WA), buckwheat (kasha), millet, rice (brown and white), and amaranth.
Gluten free products are not calorie free, nor is eating a gluten-free diet “healthier” for individuals without an absorption issue. It is wonderful that food manufacturers have created product lines to meet the dietary needs for people with food allergies – especially gluten. Taste, texture and cost are arguably not the same. People who eliminate gluten from their dietary intake are at risk for nutrient deficiencies: B vitamins, calcium, Vitamin D, iron, zinc, magnesium and fiber.
Research looked at adults who were “gluten free” for 10 years and found they had low levels of folate (Vitamin B6) and high levels of homocysteine – which are risk factors for heart attack, stroke and vascular disease. In addition, those who are gluten free are at increased risk for osteopenia, osteoporosis, and iron deficiency anemia.
With the exception of celebrities – who tend to have other disordered eating habits – most patients have reported to me that they have increased their body weight since eliminating gluten from their diets versus losing weight. As for my experience, I did not lose any weight. I did not feel any different – no better nor worse. In fact, during my gluten free experiment, I found it rather frustrating to keep the gluten foods “out” while dining out.
Some people report they lose weight because, essentially, they end up on a low carbohydrate diet – which will be a forthcoming blog. Get a diagnosis from a physician to ensure other health and gastro-intestinal concerns are addressed.
Just because celebrities do something – we all should not rush to emulate their behaviors. Those who have food allergies or food insensitivities always wish they did not have to restrict their intake. Creating too many food rules may end up leaving you with nothing left to eat! Stick to eating foods closer to the way they are found in nature, watch your total caloric intake and please, please, please, get some daily physical activity!
Humans have safely consumed gluten grains for thousands of years. It is NOT a toxin - it triggers an allergic reaction. Other allergy-induced foods/ingredients are NOT toxins. It is a personal choice if one does not have an allergy. Note that Jenny McCarthy believes gluten caused her son's autism & going gluten free "cured him". In fact, if you believe diet changes you neurological biochemistry that significantly - consider that the diagnosos was probably incorrect. I'm still waiting for the science - NOT anectodal - to show sugar causes hyperactivity or that milk consumption increases mucous.
And for those that suffer from it's wrath would beg to differ calling it toxic. The foods themselves do not cause the neurological changes, it is how your body digests and transforms it.
I agree it is not a great diet tool, but how foods are digested has been proven to effect ones mental and physical abilities.
What you have experienced with you son is a case study/anecdotal evidence... perhaps you should have your physician write it up for a peer-reviewed journal to add to the science. I've never seen any biochemical reference that states gluten turns to estrogen - intriguing. Plant estrogens are not the same as human estrogens. The article is about gluten-free diets and "perception" of their being "healthier" or to be used for weight loss. It is not an effective weight loss diet. Eliminating gluten from the diet does cause significant vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Supplementation can be beneficial - especially for someone with a medical diagnosis. Fruits and vegetables are NOT high sources of fiber in the diet. Most Americans do not consume nearly enough of their daily requirements for fruits and veggies NOR fiber (which has a whole host of health benefits). Look at diets across the globe - the American diet is higher in animal proteins than anywhere else... the rest eat rice and wheat products (breads, flatbreads), fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds w/small quantities of meat & fish.
I think to have a complete and solid understanding of what our individual bodies need to function go from self discovery. When I was diagnosed with Barrett's I was put on a caveman diet and I lost about 35lbs then I had to learn how to level it out by adding and subtracting foods. is there one true solution to diet without losing more than just fat??
BTW... in infancy esp. soy is found to change physical and neurological development. There are plenty of case studies here and many objections. ( though less and less) I thought this may be relative to your commentary. Also, Milk consumption I believe, creates inflammation and congestion. Is it a dairy allergy? I think so. Jodi S Wellness coach candidate from IIN and personal trainer to the stars Getflexappeal.com.
For several years I decided to take gluten out of my diet, due to ulcerative colitis that was not responding to medication. My symptoms improved dramatically and I maintained the diet for 3 years. My condition is in remission on a lower dose of non-steroidal anti-flammatory meds and I reintroduced gluten in very limited amounts (dining out/parties/work functions) 2 years ago. If I over do it, I feel it! I do, however, eat Ezekiel Bread, on a regular basis, which is an organic "sprouted" wheat, barley, spelt and lentil bread, with no gastric disturbance whatsoever.
Yes, eating plant-based foods is desirable...however let's not forget that wheat is an ancient grain that humans have been consuming for thousands of years. Unfortunately, many prefer to use anecdotal stories vs. evidence-based practice to justify their beliefs (I am not talking about actual diagnoses here). Food elitism must not intimidate people to the point where they simply ignore making any decent food choices.
You wonder why kids cyberbully? It's because adults lead by example!