The Top Advantages of a Gluten-free Diet
Grain products like barley, rye, oat and wheat has gluten which consists of proteins mixed together. Gluten maintains the shape and consistency of the food by gluing its composition together. There is a high amount of protein and iron found in gluten yet low amount of fat. Because it is high in protein and low in fat, it serves as a substitute to meat products for those patients whom meat is contraindicated.
On the other side, it is a common health risk that the body has allergic reactions to gluten. These patients are thought to be intolerant to gluten. Celiac disease is most commonly linked to gluten intolerance. There is hypersensitivity to gluten in small intestine specifically that makes the digestion abnormal in celiac disease. Aside from the one mentioned, celiac disease is a form of autoimmune disorder which makes the body’s immune system attack the body itself making the small intestine more susceptible to further damage. Signs and symptoms of celiac disease may include diarrhea or constipation, fatty stools, abdominal bloating and even weight loss. Because the body do not absorb nutrients properly, there is weight reduction in patients with celiac disease. Through this, the Gluten-free diet is developed. A Gluten-free diet provides advantages for the persons who do not tolerate gluten in their body making these people sustain their lives. Gluten is taken away in a Gluten-free diet to be able to avoid any adverse reaction on the body of the patient to it. Therefore, in a Gluten-free diet, the foods containing barley, rye, oats and wheat are not included. Aside from those persons with celiac disease, a Gluten-free diet is also beneficial to other people and here are the benefits.
With Gluten-free diet, there is a reduction of clinical manifestations of those people whose bodies are not able to tolerate gluten. So, the person can live a better life.
Another benefit of a Gluten-free diet is a healthy way of losing weight. In the case of gluten hypersensitivity, the weight loss was due to impaired nutrient absorption which is an unhealthy way of reducing weight so it is different.
The loss of weight is a healthy type because a Gluten-free diet decreases the levels of cholesterol in the body.
When followed together with casein-free diet, a Gluten-free diet reduces clinical manifestations of people who have autism according to research studies.
A Gluten-free diet can be beneficial but it also has its side effects. The usual one is constipation due to a low fiber content in the said diet. The digestion of the body is slow and not easy because of less amount of fiber in a Gluten-free diet. To compensate, you can have fiber included in the diet as long as it is Gluten-free.