What is gluten anyway? There is so much to know about gluten. I call it the good, the bad and the ugly but the only good really is how it effects the taste of food. The bad is how hard it is to digest and the ugly is what it actually can do to our bodies.
When I was young, no one ever talked about gluten or food allergies. There was little to no awareness about any of it and food was always thought to be safe and healthy. But these days, with an increase in diminished gut health and other ailments, we have begun to hear more and more about food allergies and intolerances.
Gluten is one of the most common food intolerances among many people today.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein that is found in many types of grains. It is made up of two proteins, gliadin and glutenin. It is the glue, or the elastic, that helps those baked goods have their taste and texture. However, gluten is the only protein in food that is unable to be digested.
Just reading that does not make me feel well. Imagine, something that is sitting in your body that is not able to be digested, causing things like diarrhea, gas, bloating, fatigue, and brain fog.
A red flag for me, was the chronic fatigue that I felt all day every day. You can read more about the effects of gluten on my life here.
Gluten is the biggest cause for inflammation in the body.
Many people have either a gluten allergy, also known as celiac disease, or a non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Yet, even with increased awareness, so many people still go undiagnosed and misinformed about the damage they are causing to their bodies with the consumption of gluten.
A diagnosis can be simple
The two best ways to find out if you have a gluten allergy or intolerance is by
- a blood test ordered by your doctor
- a food elimination period by which you eliminate gluten from your diet
A blood test seems to be the fastest way, but there can be many false positives and negatives. In addition, a negative result does not rule out the possibility of a gluten sensitivity.
If you choose to do a gluten elimination, you should not have any gluten for at least a month or more because gluten has a tendency to stay in the system for a long period of time. You might also consult your physician before you get started.
Relief of your unfavorable symptoms can indicate if a gluten free diet is right for you.
Consider this gluten at a glance. There is so much more to know. When I first became gluten free, I was very overwhelmed, I knew nothing. I really hope to shortcut this process for you. Join me and many others on this journey. You don’t have to do it alone.
Does gluten cause you discomfort? Share your story below