Expert Q&A: Gluten-free diet advice

[Samuel]

http://dailycamera.com/news/2007/aug/20/gluten-free-diet-advice/

Expert Q&A: Gluten-free diet advice

Q: I don't have a diagnosed reason to go gluten-free, but I have heard advice that reducing the amount of foods with gluten I eat would benefit my health — from increasing my energy level to reducing anxiety. Is this true, and are there other benefits to a diet that reduces gluten intake?

A: Gluten is the protein found in wheat and other grains. People with Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, must avoid gluten because it damages their intestine's ability to absorb nutrients from food. A person with Celiac disease who continued to eat gluten would experience vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which would lead to serious, life-threatening complications.

About 1 percent of the population has been diagnosed with Celiac disease. A diagnosis of Celiac disease is made after a blood test and biopsy. People with Celiac disease are likely to experience chronic diarrhea, anemia, severe joint pain and or headaches before diagnosis.

If you do not have Celiac disease, there is no reason to avoid gluten. Cutting out gluten will not increase your energy. In fact, the body prefers energy from unrefined carbohydrates, such as whole grains. The protein in the grain (gluten) slows the rate that the carbohydrate breaks down, so a piece of whole grain bread (with gluten) will provide you with more sustainable energy than a piece of gluten-free bread.

Gluten-free has become another "fad diet." Fad diets, which usually promise miracles, are not scientificallyproven. The diet industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. With the popularity of "gluten-free," hundreds of new products have hit the market. The gluten-free products are fantastic for the 1 percent of the population who must avoid gluten. You can purchase and consume gluten-free products without harm, but it's really not necessary.

You may know someone who is eating less wheat (gluten) and has never felt better. Consuming fewer processed and refined wheat products, and replacing them with unprocessed whole foods, would make anyone feel better. This is because refined wheat products quickly break down to sugar, offering no sustainable energy.

To improve your energy and mood, choose unrefined and complex carbohydrates (whole grains, fruits and vegetables). These foods are the best sources of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber and they provide the body with the energy that it needs. And, add some type of lean protein to your unrefined, complex carbohydrates. Protein slows the rate that sugar breaks down, so it sustains the energy from carbohydrates.

To reduce your anxiety, try exercising, breathing, journaling, and laughing. Good luck!

[Demokat]

Gluten-free has become another "fad diet." Fad diets, which usually promise miracles, are not scientificallyproven. The diet industry is a multi-billion dollar industry.

Yes, and the grain industry is a multi-billion dollar industry also, and lobbyists ensure that their clients ConAgra, Archer Daniels Midland and many other agri-conglomerates influence the food pyramid and diet industry.

I am in the middle of reading 'Life Without Bread', and I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand (lack of) the science behind pushing grains on the American public.

[doreen T]

Another excellent read is Dangerous Grains (http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Grains-James-Braly/dp/1583331298) by James Braly.

Many chronic illnesses and inflammations .. including Type 1 (autoimmune) diabetes .. have been linked to gluten and other grain proteins. Just because a person doesn't have blatant celiac symptoms does not mean they aren't being harmed by grain consumption.


Doreen

[Nancy LC]

Exactly! Read "The Gluten File" in my signature for the latest research on diseases caused by non-celiac gluten intolerance. The worst of the lot is brain diseases.

A collection of articles, abstracts, and websites related to gluten sensitivity

Associated with~ Autoimmune Disease, Autism, Down Syndrome, Irritiable Bowel Syndrome, Gas & Bloating, GERD, Depression, Fatigue, Migraine, Peripheral Neuropathy, Ataxia, Seizures, Hypotonia, Developmental Delay, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Anemia,Vitamin Deficiency, Asthma, Osteoporosis, Infertility and more....

[Legeon]

That's some amazingly unhelpful "advice" there. Wow.

To reduce your anxiety, try exercising, breathing, journaling, and laughing.

That stuff isn't going to work too well if grains are the problem, trust me.

[JAnn]

Years ago I read an article in a men's fitness magazine that introduced me to spelt and kamut. Many people who can't eat regular wheat can eat products made from these. The researchers interviewed said the reason for this, in their opinion, was that modern wheat had become so hyberdized, fertilized, and pesticided to the point that it has actually become toxic to the human body.

[Nelson]

Years ago I read an article in a men's fitness magazine that introduced me to spelt and kamut. Many people who can't eat regular wheat can eat products made from these. The researchers interviewed said the reason for this, in their opinion, was that modern wheat had become so hyberdized, fertilized, and pesticided to the point that it has actually become toxic to the human body.

Spelt and kamut do contain gluten. If you are avoiding gluten, they are not recommended. If you have celiac disease DO NOT eat kamut or spelt.

[JAnn]

Spelt and kamut do contain gluten. If you are avoiding gluten, they are not recommended. If you have celiac disease DO NOT eat kamut or spelt.I know they contain gluten, but it is a different type, so I'm told. anyway some people who can't tolerate regular gluten can handle the spelt and kamut. I am one that can handle it in small amounts if I take a digestive tablet with it. Of course, I don't touch the stuff now! ;)

[waywardsis]

Gluten free is a fad diet? Holy #~%$!%

What an idiot this guy is. Honestly. I have nothing productive to say bc I am just stunned at his blatant ignorance. At least research the topic before answering!!! Expert indeed.

[ruthla]

Two things come to mind here:

1) Just because only 1% of the population has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease does NOT mean that only 1% of the population has CD. There could be many more people with undiagnosed celiac.

2) Celiac disease is not the only reason to avoid gluten-containing grains. It's possible to have a more subtle allergy or sensitivity to gluten in general or the proteins from one or more grains in particular. Avoiding allergens can increase your energy level and overall health even if you don't have Celiac Disease.

About the only thing this "expert" got right is that simply reducing gluten is unlikely to have much, if any, benefit. If you react to gluten, even tiny amounts can trigger problems.

[waywardsis]

Okay I posted a comment there.

Posted by TracyBradley


I agree with the previous poster. I believe you can do better than this. At the very least, do some fact checking!

I do not have Celiac disease. I have gluten intolerance. It's genetic, in my case. If I ingest gluten, I have an autoimmune reaction. This manifests in a myriad of ways: GI issues (constipation, gas, bloating), abdominal distention, skin rashes, depression, and anxiety to name but a few.

Gluten intolerance has been linked to autism, lupus, schizophrenia, ADHD, Addison's disease, fibromyalgia, CFS, rheumatiod arthritis, MS and a whole whopping load of other conditions and diseases. I suggest your "expert" familiarize himself with Google. It's quite simple to find resources and information about celiac disease and gluten intolerance. As a registered dietician, shouldn't he be familiar with this sort of thing? From the sounds of it, had I gone to him back in my vegetarian days, where I was eating lots of "healthy" whole grains and low fat proteins, he'd have encouraged me to...eat more of them. Oh, and breathe and laugh more for the anxiety. Helpful. Much better than some faddy gluten-free diet.

About 1% diagnosed - because diagnosis, as it exists now, is highly flawed. There are doctors developing new, more effective methods, thank goodness. Blood tests and the "gold standard" biopsy simply don't cut it for everyone - you have to have reached a certain level of gluten-induced damage for a positive result. A negative may simply mean that you haven't sustained that damage...or that you are affected in other ways (see my symptoms again). I know several people who had no idea anything was wrong until they developed an autoimmune disease.

Additionally, ALL grains convert to glucose in the body, whole or otherwise. There is absolutely no nutritional requirement for carbohydrate in the form of grains/starches, as whatever nutrients they contain are more readily found in vegetation and, yes, proteins and fats. The tide is turning, paradigms are shifting. Hell...new studies are being done all the time that confirm this. A nutritionist, you'd think, would keep pace with new developments in their field.

This piece is misleading at best, dangerous at worst. Honestly, do your readers a favour and ensure that your "experts" actually know what they're talking about and can back it up with science rather than opinion.

[deirdra]

Who does this ''expert'' work for? Kelloggs?

The presence of such people on the panel that made up the Food Pyramid is not just a conflict of interest, it is killing people! Back in the 60's & 70's when we had 4, then 5, food groups, I certainly don't remember 9 servings of grains being the recommendation - it was more like 2-3, and obesity was rare.

[LarryAJ]

This blog from Dr. Mike Eades would seem to be appropiate here. ;)
http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/?p=862

[Nancy LC]

Years ago I read an article in a men's fitness magazine that introduced me to spelt and kamut. Many people who can't eat regular wheat can eat products made from these. The researchers interviewed said the reason for this, in their opinion, was that modern wheat had become so hyberdized, fertilized, and pesticided to the point that it has actually become toxic to the human body.
They both contain gluten and if you're avoiding gluten you shouldn't eat spelt or kamut.

[JAnn]

They both contain gluten and if you're avoiding gluten you shouldn't eat spelt or kamut.Like I said I don't use any now, however, if I'm going to have a grain those two would be it. It works for me.

[+35-65]

Who does this ''expert'' work for? Kelloggs?

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