By Tori Lutz 

Gluten is a name for the proteins found in most grains. It acts as a glue that helps the dough increase and the food maintain its shape. There are a lot of popular diets, one that you should absolutely consider for a myriad of reasons would be low gluten or even gluten-free diet. Here are five areas that cutting back on (or cutting out) gluten can help a great deal with!

Diseases

One of the main diseases that will come to your mind in a discussion of gluten-free diets would be celiac disease. Gluten has been known to be related to a number of other diseases as well. Another big one would be autoimmune thyroiditis. This disease is basically linked to an imbalance of thyroid hormones. Gluten has been shown to decrease antibody levels.

Dr. Sarah Bennett, a naturopathic physician in Arizona, stresses the links between gluten and a myriad of health concerns: “It may not be a cure-all, and you should definitely discuss extreme diet changes like this with a doctor or nutritionist since gluten seems to be linked to so many different diseases. Even if you don’t have celiac disease, it could be possible that cutting back on or completely cutting out gluten can benefit you.”

Autism

There are research findings on the connection between a gluten-free diet and alleviated autism symptoms, and a lot of parents and hospitals have reported finding it helpful. The symptoms of autism can be frustrating affecting children, teens and adults alike.  It has been shown that cutting out gluten can actually improve an individual’s social abilities and communication skills. Of course, every person is unique, and autistic individuals are no exception. Symptoms and treatments will vary from person to person, so this may be something that might work better for some individuals than others.

Infertility

Infertility can be an issue of concern to men and women alike. Surprisingly, there is a common link between infertility and celiac disease. Many people who suffer from celiac disease are not diagnosed at a young age. Infertility is an issue that people don’t often think about until well into adulthood, so it could be possible that it is linked to undiagnosed celiac disease. Even if you aren’t diagnosed, considering a lifestyle that cuts back on gluten could help with the solution of the problem if done with the guidance of a professional.

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)

Though most people don’t suffer from celiac disease, many people can still have a particular sensitivity to gluten that can cause health dips and upset stomachs. Being sensitive to gluten can give a lot of symptoms similar to Irritable Bowel Syndrome like nausea, bloating, diarrhea and plenty of other unpleasant symptoms. Whether you’re one of those people or your doctor has specifically told you that gluten may be the problem, looking into cutting its consume could be life-changing.

In Summary

Going gluten-free is a big commitment and challenge, and it is important to talk it over with a nutritionist and look into ways you can supplement the nutrients you won’t be getting from gluten-filled foods. 

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