Benefits of a gluten free diet?

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   lizmoss71posted 14 years ago

   Just wondering - is there any benefit to a gluten free diet if you haven't been diagnosed with coeliac disease?
   
   I have been reading up on coeliac disease and gluten intolerance and I appear to have a lot of the symptoms. I have been referred to a speciailst, but my appointment won't be until at least September and I was wondering if it was worth trying to go gluten free in the meantime to see if it would have any benefit.
   
   Are there any downsides to such a diet (apart from no toast for breakfast lol)

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      Maddie Ruudposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      There are downsides.  Recent studies show that a gluten-free diet lowers the numbers of friendly bacteria in your digestive tract, which in turn weakens your immune system.  If you do go gluten-free, make sure you take a probiotic supplement daily to replenish the good bacteria you need to stay healthy.

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      h.a.borcichposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      
      
      My closest friend is gluten sensitive. Within the last year she became aware of it as well as a dairy sensitivity. My understanding of it is limited but I will share what I know :
      She has symptoms within 1/2 hour of ingesting gluten or dairy sugesting sensitivity. A stronger reaction would point to celiac disease.
      She has struggled to lose weight most of her adult life.
      
      She was frustrated when she went dairy & gluten free but has made the dietetic adjustment and is very pleased with it. Within a few weeks of eliminating those two items from her diet, she dropped almost 30 pounds. She also digests foods better and has better health all around.
      I found a gluten free cookbook for her at Barnes & Nobles. It had great recipes for basic foods and she raves about how easy it is. Hope that helps. Good luck and God Bless, Holly

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         Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I lost excess weight sorting out my food sensitivities too.  I know of others that have had the same thing happen.  Often the culprit is something that is either hated or craved.  Gluten and dairy are common culprits.  I plan to write about my food sensitivities in the near future

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      angila85posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Gluten free diet don't have any side effects. Although it helps to cure many serious diseases like coeliac. Try to eat organic products as they are pesticide and chemical free and gluten free products.

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      Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I have read that approx 1% of population is celiac (and need to have tests while still eating gluten) and approx 30% of people are non-celiac gluten intolerant.  Then you have the ones that have wheat allergies, which can be delayed reactions. 
      To add to confusion, some celiacs have no symptoms.  I had years of bad symptoms, which I have written about in a hub.

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   Precious Williamsposted 14 years ago

   Liz, have you had the blood test?  A doctor would generally advise you not to start the diet until you have seen the specialist, but you need to ask.

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      lizmoss71posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I have had a blood test but my follow up appointment isn't until September because I have to wait on the waiting list for other tests first.
      
      Which leaves me still feeling ill and with no answers in the meantime.

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         Precious Williamsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Liz - generally money is tight - especially as you have two young daughters. However, if at all possible why not consider having the necessary blood tests done privately.  You may be anti that, but it is a long time until September feeling rotten.  I would still go back to your GP and ask them what you should be doing in the meantime and be upfront and tell them you want to make some changes now.  Whatever you do, it's got to be right for you.  I hope you find the right solution. 
         
         Oh and one of the difficulties of the diet is eating out.  It can be difficult to get things that are gluten free andd enjoyable.

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         Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         If your blood test is positive, they may do a biopsy of the upper gut.  Be aware that blood tests may have false negatives or positives. 
         
         Since it is a while away, you could do a gluten-free trial for a few weeks. 
         
         Do your research, as gluten is hidden in many foods.  A gluten-free diet requires strict avoidance of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt and their by-products.  It is tricky at first (avoiding as many processed foods as possible will help avoid mistakes eg ham and bacon may have gluten, many sauces have gluten, foods may be contaminated with gluten in processing/preparation.

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   izettlposted 14 years ago

   gluten free diets help you loose weight, but if you don't have a specific reason to do it then most people don't stick with it. I was gluten free for 4 months- lost 10 pounds, but it didn't help my illness (Rheumatoid Arthritis). I don't notice too much difference off of it, but I don't have stomach issues. I noticed the most difference when I eat organic and all natural products. I think the weight loss from gluten free is mostly because you are restricting certain foods.

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      Baileybearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I believe the weight loss in my case was actually losing weight from permanent water retention from chronic inflammation.   When I was eating gluten, my bones and joints hurt and my tummy, wrists and elbows would swell.  My tummy swells (and has cramping) with other foods that don't agree with me too (eg dairy). 
      
      It is possible that gluten isn't the culprit at all, but other food chemicals may be causing pain etc. 
      
      I don't believe in restricting diet unnecessarily as important nutrients may be missed out on.   For example, I must avoid gluten, as I am celiac, but my son did not inherit celiac gene and it does not cause him gut problems etc, so he eats gluten.  Makes feeding him a lot easier (and is cheaper).

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