The Dangers Of Gluten

It is becoming popular these days to go on a gluten free diet. How many people do you know saying they are gluten or wheat intolerant? How many people do you know complaining about being bloated, have skin disorders, gas, diarrhoea, constipation, cramps, ADD and chronic fatigue? These are all common side effects of consuming gluten and wheat. Gluten is a protein molecule found in wheat, rye and barley. When we look back at what people ate 2.6 million years ago, until about 10,000 years ago, grains were not on the menu. We, as humans evolved predominately eating wild game, seafood, worms and insects, seasonal fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds. It wasn’t until about 5,000 years ago, we introduced grains into our diet. Since this time, there has been a progressive increase in the consumption of grains and grain based products and a progressive increase in degenerative disease. What happens when we eat gluten?rnIt is debatable whether we should be eating grains. Our human digestive system has not been developed to break down grains therefore it can be argued that we should stay well clear of them especially processed grains. When we eat foods containing gluten, the proteins in gluten trigger your immune system to overreact with your antibodies. Over time, these antibodies wear down the little hairs which line the walls of your intestine. The little hairs are responsible for grabbing and absorbing nutrients from your food as it passes through your lower digestive tract. However, once the hairs are worn down, minimal nutrients can be absorbed from foods leading to more serious health problems. Symptoms of gluten intolerancesrnThere are a large number of symptoms however here are some very common ones. Abdominal pain and cramping, alternating bouts of diarrhoea and constipation, arthritis, bloating, bone density loss, depression, anxiety and irritability, fatigue, diabetes, headaches and migraines and infertility. If you find you have any one of these issues, then try cutting out gluten for 30 days and see whether your symptoms decrease or disappear completely. People also find they have a lot more energy when gluten is eliminated from their diet. What foods contain gluten?rnYou will find that all of the foods listed below contain gluten unless specified on the packet. Alternative flours and ingredients can be used in the making of these foods to ensure its gluten free so check on the packaging first. If it is gluten free, it will clearly state it. Cakes, biscuits, breads, pastry, pie crusts, oats, sausages, gravy and some crisps all contain gluten. Unfortunately oats are meant to be gluten free, however they are transported in large trucks that also carry wheat therefore the gluten is cross contaminated into the oats. Alternate options:rnWhen a recipe calls for flour, great alternatives are almond flour (grounded almonds) and coconut flour (ground coconut). Both these flours work for most recipes in both cooking and baking. They may be a little more expensive to buy however it will be worth it. As you can see from above, our bodies reject gluten and therefore show many side effects. If we ignore these side effects long enough, it can lead to more serious diseases. Eliminate gluten from your diet for 30 days and assess how you feel. Do your symptoms, that you thought were normal as they have been there for so long, such as loose bowel movements, go away and do you feel more energised? Your body will definitely thank you for it.