Why Go Gluten-Free?

Do you go to the bathroom frequently?  Are you overweight?  Do you get stomach cramps after eating?  Oh my god! Stop the presses! You have to go gluten free or YOU WILL DIE!!!!   No seriously though, you will die.  Tomorrow.  End of story.  Oh and by the way, start doing Crossfit too.

Going gluten free is becoming more common than people with good manners these days.  This is fine we suppose, except that the only reason to go gluten free is because of something called Celiac disease and we will talk about the truth of Celiac disease in a moment.  For now, lets talk about the fact that gluten free food is more expensive.  So not only are you limiting your ability to eat tasty foods, you are also hurting your pocketbook!  Both compelling reasons to figure out whether you really should be gluten free or not.  Moving on though, lets talk about Celiac disease.

There are people who would claim a food intolerance or allergy to gluten products, but the truth is, the need to go gluten-free is the result of a disease called Celiac disease, which is classified as a genetic disorder.  A food intolerance has nothing to do with the immune system, it just means that some foods cause gastrointestinal discomfort, aka tummy aches. Food allergies result when the immune system is sensitive to some foods and it causes inflammation. Food allergies are more serious than food intolerance because the inflammation can be local (mouth and throat) or it can affect the entire body, which may be fatal. Food allergies are usually caused by some kind of food protein, for example lactose intolerance is an allergy to the enzyme lactate found in dairy products.

Both are rather unfortunate food disorders, but not nearly as limiting as celiac disease. Now, this digestive disease affects 0.5%-1% of the U.S. population. That's about 1 in 133 people. This disease targets the lining of the small intestine and makes it very difficult to absorb nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K, iron, folic acid and calcium which can lead to malnutrition (Thompson, 2009). No good.

The worst part is, some people don't have symptoms or their symptoms mimic those of other disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, which is why getting tested is important.  Only 1 in 56 people who exhibit symptoms of celiac disease actually have it.  Some of the symptoms include fatty or frequent stools, cramping, anemia, weight loss, fatigue and irritability (Thompson, 2009). But because these symptoms can be confused with those of other issues, it's important to get tested to find out if you really have celiac disease.  Not a really fun test, it does involve drawing a blood sample and in some cases a biopsy. However, we would MUCH rather do the test than put myself through such a drastic diet without concrete reason.

Going gluten-free is particularly difficult because foods can be contaminated by wheat products during processing and a lot of processed foods are derived from gluten (you shouldn't eat processed foods anyway, but still).

Let's talk more about the diet itself- No wheat, rye or barley. Oats are allowed but you have to be careful because it can be contaminated. Good news in today's age- breads can be found made from corn, rice, tapioca, potato, soy, etc.

I (Owl, the Rhino doesn't have any friends) have a friend from college who has celiac disease and the poor girl BARELY survived our study abroad experience in Spain because her house mom had absolutely NO idea how to deal with her dietary restrictions.  That said, most people have no idea what they are getting into when they learn that they have celiac disease (or when they decide that they feel like changing things up and going gluten-free because its a "healthy" thing to do).  The 0.5%-1% of the U.S. population that does have celiac disease really should consult a Registered Dietitian to learn more about their dietary needs.

We do also want to mention that there appears to be an increased predisposition (5-10%) for celiac disease if you suffer from Type I Diabetes or Down Syndrome.

Our main reason for writing this article is to help people better understand their own diets. If you get stomach aches, diarrhea, bloating, gas, etc., you should try to figure what foods cause that kind of reaction and if you have the opportunity, go in for a blood test.  Whether you have dietary restrictions or not, it is SO important to be aware of how your body reacts to the food you eat and how you feel emotionally after eating it.  As personal trainers, we have always recommended keeping a food journal to record everything you eat/drink and keep track of how you feel (still hungry, overly full, tired, etc) because it will tell you a lot about yourself.

For more information about Celiac disease check out http://www.uchospitals.edu/pdf/uch_007937.pdf

In conclusion, we present the following observation about economics.  You see, if demand goes down, the price goes down as well!  So the more people who go gluten-free, the less non-gluten-free food will cost!  Awesome!  So since neither of us has Celiac disease, please, everyone else go gluten-free so we don't have to pay as much for groceries!  In all seriousness however, before you choose to commit to such a restrictive diet, talk to a doctor and/or a registered dietician to find out if you really need to.  Remember fitness is all about good choices, and you can't make them if you don't have all the facts!

Yours in Fitness,
The Owl and the Rhino

P.S. Please note, as always, we are not trying to insult with our comments, merely trying to provide more information to help you make better decisions.