Why Gluten-Free?

A Gluten- Free diet excludes the protein gluten. Gluten is a natural protein located in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. A gluten-free diet mostly excludes pasta and bread. Gluten is hard for our bodies to digest and for some it is near impossible. People who are completely unable to digest gluten have something called Celiac Disease. This condition is caused by an immune response in the abdomen. Some symptoms of Celiac disease are bone pain, diarrhea, anemia or skin rash, or in some cases no symptoms at all. Because of this, only about 5%-10% of cases are diagnosed in the US. People who have Celiac Disease have no choice but to keep a strict gluten-free diet or it could be dangerous for their health. 

Another reason some people go gluten-free is due to thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto's Disease and Grave's Disease. Many doctors recommend that people who have been diagnosed with thyroid disorders follow a gluten free diet and many of the patients have said that it has worked to lessen some of their symptoms. Why? Researchers are still trying to figure out the connection between thyroid disorders and Celiac Disease, but research shows that people with thyroid disorders have 4-15 times greater of a chance of having Celiac Disease than the rest of the world's population.

However, not all people who follow a gluten-free diet have Celiac Disease or a thyroid disorder. Some people choose to stay gluten free because they believe that it is a healthy choice. Studies say that everyone has at least a small sensitivity to gluten meaning that even if you don't notice a reaction to gluten, it would still be beneficial to follow a gluten-free diet.

A gluten-free diet is hard to follow and it takes getting used to. I personally have a thyroid disorder and follow a strict gluten-free diet myself. It was hard at first to cut out bread and pasta, but finding alternatives isn't as difficult as it may seem. Many businesses are now creating gluten-free foods. This includes gluten-free pasta, bread, granola bars, and even gluten-free breaded chicken. It's not certain why there has been an increase in gluten-free awareness, but it is for the better. It isn't an easy switch but it is possible, and you will feel the benefits to your health. 

You can find gluten-free food and recipes at http://www.celiaccentral.org/Gluten-Free-Food/