You probably know someone who is gluten-free or have heard the term and wondered what all the hype is about.
Is this just the next new diet fad? Or is there something really to it?
And what exactly IS gluten anyways??
Let’s start with the basics……
According to Merriam-Webster, the first known use of the word gluten was in 1803, and gluten is defined as -
: a tenacious elastic protein substance especially of wheat flour that gives cohesiveness to dough.
: a gluey protein substance especially of wheat flour that causes dough to be sticky
In simpler terms…Merriam-Webster’s has a Kid’s Definition -
: a tough elastic protein substance in flour especially from wheat that holds together dough and makes it sticky
In more technical terms, Wikipedia tells us -
“Gluten is a structural protein naturally found in certain cereal grains. Although "gluten" often only refers to wheat proteins, in medical literature it refers to the combination of prolamin and glutelin proteins naturally occurring in all grains that have been proved capable of triggering celiac disease. These include any species of wheat, barley, rye and some oat cultivars, as well as any cross hybrids of these grains. Gluten makes up 75–85% of the total protein in bread wheat.
Glutens have unique viscoelastic and adhesive properties, which give dough its elasticity, helping it rise and keep its shape and often leaving the final product with a chewy texture. These properties, and its relatively low cost, make gluten valuable to both food and non-food industries.”
So, what’s the big deal anyways? Well, gluten is inflammatory for many people. You may not even realize you have a sensitivity to gluten and it can be challenging to avoid it in the Standard American Diet.
Do you experience any of these symptoms regularly?
- Diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, weight loss
- Bloating and gas, or abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Inability to absorb nutrients
- Digestive issues
- Joint pain
- Thyroid issues
- Unexplained infertility issues or fetal losses
- Itchy skin rashes on both sides of the body, such as both elbows
- In childhood: poor weight gain, failure to thrive, short stature, or delayed puberty
[mayo clinic] [gluten.org]
Or have you or someone you know been diagnosed with:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Migraines
- Anemia (iron, folate or B-12 deficiency)
- Autoimmune thyroid diseases (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves disease)
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Osteoporosis or Osteopenia (low bone density) or Osteomalacia (softening of bones)
- Arthritis
- Colitis (microscopic, lymphocytic or collagenous)
- Dental enamel defects in permanent teeth
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Liver disease
- Addison’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, or Sjogren’s Syndrome
[gluten.org]
While experiencing these issues could be from a number of things, gluten can often times be the hidden underlying cause, which leads some people to considering going gluten free for a few weeks to determine if gluten might be a culprit.
In heading down that road for the first time - it will seem like gluten’s in just about EVERYTHING….!
Common places we find gluten:
- Bread, hotdog/hamburger buns, pasta, cookies, crackers, cakes, brownies, pastries, chips, cereals, waffles, pancakes, biscuits, pizza, beer, fried foods.
Along with some not so known/commonly thought of places:
- Salad dressings, soy sauce, imitation meats, potato salad, French fries, gravy, ice creams, scrambled eggs at restaurants, a variety of liquors, ……
- Hair and body products, cosmetics, supplements, etc
If you think gluten may be one of the culprits to your health issues and are interested in exploring a gluten-free diet or have been recently diagnosed as celiac or some other health issue requiring you to go gluten free – check out my website for more information on where to start!
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Citations:
“Gluten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gluten. Accessed 25 Feb. 2023.
Gluten. (2023, February 25). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluten
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352220
“Could Gluten be Causing Your Health Problems?” (21 December 2022). https://gluten.org/2019/10/15/could-gluten-be-causing-your-health-problems/. Accessed 6 March 2023.