Relevant information about the five most popular restrictive diets: Gluten-free, Lactose-intolerant, Pescetarianism, Vegan and Vegetarian.
A gluten-free diet is, obviously, a diet that does not involve the digestion of gluten, a protein composite found in rye, barley, wheat, and other related grains. Gluten can cause health problems such as a wheat allergy or celiac disease. Those who are diagnosed with either have to go with a strict gluten-free diet to effectively treat it. Some people decide to go gluten-free specifically for the health diets and have no allergy or disease from it. As with most things, there are benefits and concerns when it comes to a gluten-free diet.
The biggest health benefit of going gluten-free is for those who suffer from celiac disease. Early symptoms and signs of celiac disease include floating stools that are bloody, nausea and vomiting, constant diarrhea, weight loss, decreased appetite, gas, bloating, and stomach pain. Long-term symptoms include itchy skin, dermatitis, joint pain, fatigue, hair loss, and easy bruising. It can also cause the body to become malnourished because it is unable to absorb minerals and vitamins from food, which can lead to severe weight loss. In rare instances, cancer has been reported to occur when celiac disease goes untreated. Luckily, the treatment is incredibly simple – avoid gluten. By simply eliminating gluten from your diet, you can help counter the side effects of celiac disease.
Going gluten-free is an obvious choice for anyone who has a significant sensitivity to gluten or has celiac disease. A recent fad, however, is for people without either of these problems to go with a gluten-free diet. Studies have shown that there are no real health benefits to going with a gluten-free diet if you do not have to. In fact, gluten-free products can be high in carbohydrates, fat, and calories, causing some people who eat gluten-free products to actually gain weight. As long as you continue to eat a balanced diet, however, you should be perfectly healthy on a gluten-free diet. Still, the benefits are not so great that it is something you absolutely need to do.
If you are dead set on eating gluten but are gluten-intolerant, you’ll be happy to know that there are supplements available that can help you digest gluten. This can be a risky approach for celiac patients, however. In fact, many supplements specifically mention that they are not safe for people with celiac disease. This is because damage can still occur when you ingest gluten, even if you are unaware of any symptoms. GlutenEase, produced by Enzymedica Inc., contains a blend of enzymes that are intended to help digest gluten. It specifically says that it is not formulated for people with celiac disease, but it can help people who have some trouble digesting gluten. Gluten Defense, made by Enzymatic Therapy Inc., is specially formulated to defend against hidden gluten that can lead to indigestion, bloating, and gas. It is important to know that no supplement can guarantee a 100% breakdown of gluten proteins, which is what someone with celiac disease needs. This is why they should be avoided by people with celiac disease, regardless of what other people may say.
