Gluten free diet is becoming very popular these days.
You will find Gluten free products in almost all major Grocery stores and online. Most people, however, don’t know what Gluten is and what is a Gluten free diet. There are some foods which are naturally Gluten free , for example Meats, Eggs, dairy etc . On the other hand there are some foods which have very high Gluten content naturally , for example Wheat, Barley and Rye. Gluten is a protein that helps maintain the foods maintain their shape, acting as a glue.
Why there is so much talk about Gluten these days? Is Gluten intolerance real?
when we think about Gluten , we think about Celiac disease. what is Celiac disease and is Gluten intolerance only in those patients who have Celiac disease?
Celiac Disease is a genetic Autoimmune disorder which affects about 3 million Americans. In Celiac disease the intake of Gluten can lead to a strong immune response in the body leading to various gastrointestinal and other systems symptoms. Besides causing Bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea, it can also lead to Anemia, Bone loss, Fatigue and muscle wasting. In children the ingestion of Gluten in those with Celiac disease can lead to ADHD, Learning disabilities, Headaches and muscle and joint coordination problems.
Patients who have Celiac disease can not digest the protein Gluten in the diet and therefore they absolutely have to avoid Gluten.
However there are several people who don’t have Celiac disease but still can not tolerate Gluten. We call them Gluten intolerant or sensitive. They all claim that ingesting Gluten results in joint pains, fatigue and muscle spasms. Some of these people may also have sensitivities to various other foods as well.
Sometimes multiple food sensitivities could be a sign of something bigger going on in the Gastrointestinal tract . If the tight junctions in the small intestinal wall become loose, due to damage to the thin lining of the Gut from infections, toxins , medications etc, the tight junctions are then affected. This can result in Leaky Gut. Leaky gut can then lead to various food intolerances including Gluten.
For more details and to find out if you are intolerant or sensitive to Gluten, or to multiple foods in your diet, or if you think you have symptoms triggered by Gluten in your diet, Please call Dr Rubina Azam MD at 8508194723 or visit us at www.BrainGutADHD.COM to schedule an appointment with her.
