Gluten Free Benefits
 Eating a gluten free diet can provide benefits to people for many different reasons. Normally, people will adopt a gluten free diet when they have gluten intolerance or they suffer from celiac disease; however, other people find that even without a specific health issue, they feel better and healthier when they eliminate the protein from their diet.
Gluten intolerance is an allergy-type reaction to the protein that is found in grains like wheat, kamut, spelt, barley, rye, and triticale. It causes pains and digestive problems when products containing gluten are eaten. Celiac disease, however, is an autoimmune condition in which the presence of gluten causes damage to the lining of the intestines. Gluten free benefits in these cases allow for easy and pain-free digestion, or to allow for the intestinal lining to heal.
Dermatitis hepetiformis is another condition in which being gluten free benefits the patient's health. With this condition, the skin has a physical reaction to the presence of gluten in the form of fluid filled blisters on the skin.
According to proponents of the gluten free lifestyle, there are many other health conditions in which a diet without the protein may benefit symptoms, including:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Migraines
- Seizures
- Osteoporosis
- Anemia
- Diabetes
- Many others
If you are considering a gluten free diet to improve your health, or simply have more questions about what gluten free benefits may apply to you, consult with your primary care provider or an experienced dietitian, as they may be able to provide you with the information you are looking for and give you tips on gluten free cooking.
|
