So, is being gluten free just a fad or does it have some real meaning to it? Let me tell you, it has truth to it. Certain individuals can be sensitive to it, and for others it can cause even more harm (Celiac disease). Frankly, it can cause harm to most people these days just because of what pesticides are used on it. Some people even think that the pesticides are the main culprit. So let’s delve into this a bit more. For those who are sensitive to it, they may or may not even know it. Why? This is because a food sensitivity takes time to develop, and not everyone develops a sensitivity. Not only that, but when we think of sensitivities or allergies, we think of hives, welts, anaphylaxis, itching, and wheezing. Gluten allergies present differently, such as with headaches, fatigue, anxiety, diarrhea, canker sores, and gut issues to name a few (Barbaro, Cremon, Stanghellini, et al).
What happens to create this sensitivity? Basically, as one eats gluten, the gluten causes the gut cells to release zonulin, which is a protein that is responsible for the tight junctions of the GI rack (Fasano, Zonulin and It’s Regulation of Intestinal Barrier Function). Which then goes on to cause the gut cells to start separating from each other and creating leaky gut (it can take years to happen). This leads to different sized food particles and other things to be absorbed into your bloodstream. From these foods particles you can then develop sensitivities to them. Not only that, but the toxins that your body gets rid of, can go back into the body through the leaky gut cells (2). All of this sounds scary right? It sure can, and it can even lead to other worse diseases later down the road just check out reference number 2.
You might ask, but Dr. Seat, I don’t have any allergies to wheat and I don’t always have those issues you mentioned in the first paragraph. My question to you then would be, “do you have allergies?” “Do you have migraines or sinus headaches that occur several times every month, or every week?” “Do you get occasional joint pain?” If you responded yes to any of these, then you might want to try getting rid of gluten, and all wheat products such as breads, pastas, and flour tortillas if you’re a fellow New Mexican like me.
Best in Health,
Dr. Seat
https://www.physiology.org/doi/pdf/10.1152/physrev.00003.2008
Photo: Selective Photo of Cookies on Container. Courtesy of Leigh Patrick. October 20, 2016 2:17 pm.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/baked-baking-bread-breakfast-298217/
- Why giving up Gluten can help your Health - March 2, 2021