Why Following A Gluten Free Diet Can Benefit People Who Don’t Have A Gluten Intolerance
It’s interesting but there are a variety of people who have joined the gluten free club who don’t have celiac disease – who aren’t technically gluten intolerant. Actually a lot of research is ongoing studying the effects of gluten on the body and the findings are interesting and can be very useful to a lot of people.
I follow a gluten free diet because I have to in order to avoid getting sick. But there are those of you out there who could benefit just as much as I do, but for different reasons.
For example, people with the skin rash called Dermatitis Herpetformis are having an allergic reaction. At least 75% of these people have a sensitivity to gluten. They are not intolerant and can eat gluten without injuring their intestines, but the gluten appears to have some relation to the appearance of the rash. Therefore, if you stop eating gluten, your rash may very well heal. Wouldn’t that be nice! It may take a while – maybe even a year – but it would be worth the wait if your skin heals up. In the meantime, think of all the fattening calories you won’t be eating (have to look at the bright side).
Another skin problem that may be improved by not eating gluten is psoriasis. The research is not definitive on this yet, but it is certainly worth a try if you suffer with psoriasis. I would change my diet in a heartbeat, if by doing so, I healed myself.
There are also ongoing studies to determine if there is a relationship between gluten and rheumatoid arthritis. Actually, there are many different allergic reactions possible if a person is merely sensitive to gluten. I’ve read on the forum, and people have written emails to me saying that because many families of Celiacs end up eating gluten free diets (especially if the Celiac is the household cook), they discovered they felt better in many ways. For example, one woman said her husband was plagued by joint pain. They thought he might have fibromyalgia, but it was ruled out. He was tested for rheumatoid arthritis and that was ruled out also. After a year on an almost gluten free diet, his joint pain had virtually disappeared! She called it an “almost gluten free diet”, because he did not follow the diet as strictly as her.
Other sensitivity symptoms that people in the group mentioned included unexplained skin rashes, abdomen cramping every time they ate, anxiety attacks, and frequent bouts of diarrhea. There are probably plenty of other symptoms that people have and don’t know are related to eating gluten. Gluten is not particular about who it makes sick. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, or ethnicity.
If you or anyone in your family has unusual and unexplainable symptoms, consider trying a gluten free diet. The way I see it – what do you have to lose except poor health? My guess is even if a particular symptom doesn’t disappear, you will feel much better in general after jut 30 days on a gluten free diet. Just set a time period you will stick with the diet and then evaluate the results at the end.
Go on! Try it! Be brave! I promise you will thank me later.
I have not been diagnosed with Celiac Disease but I do know that when I eat wheat products I get bloating, diarrhea, weight gain that does not go away when the bloating and diarrhea cease. I was diagnosed with a wheat allergy some years ago, and I thought through treatment I was okay, I do like a bun with my hamburger, and love pizza, well by eliminating wheat/gluten and soy I have eliminated most of the bloating, diarrhea, but haven’t lost the weight, in fact it is still coming on just slower now. So now I am thinking maybe I better eliminate corn as well (it too should up on my food allergy testing). Any ideas on what grains or flours I can use to get a nice pizza crust and buns, I have been playing with a pizza crust. I like Udis hamburger buns but not the price. I don’t like my bread to fall apart while eating it, might as well skip the bread then. How does your slider bun recipe do?
Yes the slider bun recipe is good, although if you want a firmer texture, try using ‘buns’ cut from our Italian Flatbread – which is my all time favorite!
After having migraines for 40 years and trying numerous meds, therapies, Botox, steroids, massage, shots, etc., one month of gluten and dairy-free living has reduced my migraines from about five a week to maybe one or less. This is a true miracle. I cannot drink alcohol of any kind but that I can live with. Oatmeal is okay for me and I will try introducing dairy a little at a time.
That is so great to hear, I know how debilitating migraines can be. Instead of jumping back into dairy (even a little), have you ever thought of trying some of the many dairy alternatives out there – like rice, soy, or almond?
I had an itchy scalp and face that became so itchy that I would scratch it open in my sleep which only aggravated it and made it worse. The dermatologist gave me a foam to apply which helped the itching,but with all the chemicals in it,I knew it wasn’t something I wanted to use continually. I noticed relief almost immediately after I started the diet. As a bonus, I lost a pound a week and my arthritis,which had bothered me for 20 some years, improved dramatically! I love to enjoy good foods, so this hasn’t been easy, but the relief is so wonderful that I can stick with it. I can’t wait to try some of your recipes!
That is so great to hear you are feeling so much better on a gluten free diet. The biggest misconception (in my opinion) about a gluten free diet, is that people think the foods that they are allowed to eat are bland, boring and taste funny. The only thing where you will notice a big taste (and texture) difference is breads (but we have some yummy ones that can still satisfy those carb cravings). Other than that, gluten free foods can be filled with delicious flavors, and you can alter just about any recipe to make it gluten free. Let us know how you like our recipes!
Totally omit processed refined sugar from your diet. Use sugar alternatives. Sugar is the main culprit in weight gain among a host of other ailments.