The Health Benefits of a Gluten-Free Diet

What is gluten?

The term "gluten free" has become a common way to identify and label foods. Gluten refers to the proteins found in wheat, which is often used to make flour. Foods that generally contain gluten include: bread, baked goods, pasta, and cereal.

Why is gluten bad?

Some people have celiac disease which is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. Approximately 1 in 100 people have celiac disease, but up to 40% of the population has some sort of gluten intolerance. This means that the body is sensitive to gluten and can react negatively, including indigestion, stomach aches, skin problems, and more.

Why go gluten free?

There are many health benefits of a gluten free diet. Removing gluten can help with existing health problems, even if you don not have celiac disease. A study showed that removing gluten helped reduce pain, bloating, and stool inconsistency.

While gluten sensitivity generally affects the gut, it can also have an impact on the brain. Removing gluten can help with several brain disorders including: schizophrenia, autism, and epilepsy. Eliminating gluten can help with neurological problems, especially if the cause or treatment is unknown.

Health Benefits

A gluten-free diet can also positively impact your health. Some of the benefits are: increased energy levels, healthy weight loss, and improved cholesterol levels. In addition, removing gluten will cause you to change your diet and consume foods with higher levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which helps the body fight against viruses and germs.

Try Eliminating Gluten

With all of the health benefits, I recommend trying a gluten-free diet. After one month of eliminating gluten, your body will adjust and you will feel the health benefits. Even if you do not think you are gluten intolerant, you should allow yourself to test out a gluten free diet, why not take advantage of the health benefits?

If you need help creating a nutrition plan or learning more about the healthy ways to eliminate gluten, feel free to reach out to me here or give me a call at (310) 795-2236.