WHAT IS GLUTEN? Gluten is the storage protein found in cereals like wheat, barley and rye. 'Gluten intolerance' is a term used to refer to the entire category of gluten issues: celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity and wheat allergy.
THE MEDICAL FACTS Celiac disease (CD) is an inherited auto-immune disorder that affects the digestive process in the small intestine. What it essentially means is that the protein gluten triggers an inflammatory injury in the small intestine, resulting in malabsorption of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fat-soluble vitamins, folate and minerals, especially iron and calcium. CD is a lifelong condition, and
THE MEDICAL FACTS Celiac disease (CD) is an inherited auto-immune disorder that affects the digestive process in the small intestine. What it essentially means is that the protein gluten triggers an inflammatory injury in the small intestine, resulting in malabsorption of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fat-soluble vitamins, folate and minerals, especially iron and calcium. CD is a lifelong condition, and tinyurl.com/lsgf7hkif not diagnosed early and treated with a strict gluten-free diet, it can be associated with complications like osteoporosis, lymphoma, anaemia, delayed puberty and infertility in both men and women, and even repeated miscarriages. The classic symptoms of CD are diarrhoea , weight loss, headaches and fatigue, joint pain, damage of dental enamel, anemia, acid reflux and heartburn.
As with the case of many auto-immune disorders, CD is more frequent in women than in men, for reasons unknown. Celiac disease tends to cluster in families, but the inheritance pattern is unknown.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity - this term was coined for those individuals who cannot tolerate gluten and experience symptoms similar to CD, yet lack the antibodies and intestinal damage as in the case of CD. The symptoms of this may be similar but they would not come positive in the blood test nor would there be any intestinal damage.
As with most allergies, wheat allergy is just an immune system response to a food protein because it considers it dangerous to the body - but it's not permanent. This immune response is often time-limited and does not cause lasting harm to the body. Diagnosis of the same is done through skin-prick tests and a food challenge.
HYPE, FAD, REALITY Now, let's address the hype and fad revolving around 'the gluten-free diet!' For many, it is a new diet trend that should be tried to help fight the ever-increasing battle of the bulge. But abstinence from all gluten products — wheat (rotis, parathas, naan, roomali), semolina (rava), couscous, cracked wheat, barley, oats, rye, breakfast cereals made from these, noodles, pasta, bread, biscuits, spaghetti, soba noodles, cakes, pastries and the list continues — isn't the right answer.
Giving up many of these is a direct, sure shot way to lose some weight but eliminating some of these integrally from our system is difficult. Losing weight doesn't mean we have to banish all of them from our daily meals. How long will you be able to avoid these food items? Long-term weight loss is not a sprint. Like a marathon, it is a simply journey of endurance, the only difference being that it is a journey to a destination of your choice at a pace set by your body.
WHAT IS GLUTEN? Gluten is the storage protein found in cereals like wheat, barley and rye. 'Gluten intolerance' is a term used to refer to the entire category of gluten issues: celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity and wheat allergy.
THE MEDICAL FACTS Celiac disease (CD) is an inherited auto-immune disorder that affects the digestive process in the small intestine. What it essentially means is that the protein gluten triggers an inflammatory injury in the small intestine, resulting in malabsorption of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fat-soluble vitamins, folate and minerals, especially iron and calcium. CD is a lifelong condition, and if not diagnosed early and treated with a strict gluten-free diet, it can be associated with complications like osteoporosis, lymphoma, anaemia, delayed puberty and infertility in both men and women, and even repeated miscarriages. The classic symptoms of CD are diarrhoea , weight loss, headaches and fatigue, joint pain, damage of dental enamel, anemia, acid reflux and heartburn.
As with the case of many auto-immune disorders, CD is more frequent in women than in men, for
reasons unknown. Celiac disease tends to cluster in families, but the inheritance pattern is unknown.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity - this term was coined for those individuals who cannot tolerate gluten and experience symptoms similar to CD, yet lack the antibodies and intestinal damage as in the case of CD. The symptoms of this may be similar but they would not come positive in the blood test nor would there be any intestinal damage.
As with most allergies, wheat allergy is just an immune system response to a food protein because it considers it dangerous to the body - but it's not permanent. This immune response is often time-limited and does not cause lasting harm to the body. Diagnosis of the same is done through skin-prick tests and a food challenge.
HYPE, FAD, REALITY Now, let's address the hype and fad revolving around 'the gluten-free diet!' For many, it is a new diet trend that should be tried to help fight the ever-increasing battle of the bulge. But abstinence from all gluten products — wheat (rotis, parathas, naan, roomali), semolina (rava), couscous, cracked wheat, barley, oats, rye, breakfast cereals made from these, noodles, pasta, bread, biscuits, spaghetti, soba noodles, cakes, pastries and the list continues — isn't the right answer.
Giving up many of these is a direct, sure shot way to lose some weight but eliminating some of these integrally from our system is difficult. Losing weight doesn't mean we have to banish all of them from our daily meals. How long will you be able to avoid these food items? Long-term weight loss is not a sprint. Like a marathon, it is a simply journey of endurance, the only difference being that it is a journey to a destination of your choice at a pace set by your body.
SIGNS YOU ARE GLUTEN INTOLERANT
Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea and even constipation. Keratosis Pilaris (also known as chicken skin) on the back of your arms. Fatigue, brain fog or feeling tired after eating a meal that contains gluten. Diagnosis of diseases like Hashimoto's thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus, psoriasis, scleroderma or multiple sclerosis. Feeling dizzy or off balance. Hormone imbalances such as PMS, PCOS or unexplained infertility. Migraine headaches. Inflammation, swelling or pain in your joints such as fingers, knees or hips. Mood issues such as anxiety, depression and mood swings.
FOODS THAT DON'T CONTAIN GLUTEN
Rice and rice-based items such as dosa, idli, pongal, appam etc; ragi, bajra and jowar; curd, lassi, milk and cream; fruits and vegetables; ice cream and kulfi; beans, seeds and nuts in their natural, unprocessed form, fresh eggs, meats, fish and poultry (not breaded, battercoated or marinated).
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