Gluten-free

Gluten-free diet is a diet that strictly excludes gluten, a mixture of proteins found in wheat and related grains, including barley, rye, oat, and all their species and hybrids (such as spelt, kamut, and triticale). The inclusion of oats in a gluten-free diet remains controversial, and may depend on the oat cultivar and the frequent cross-contamination with other gluten-containing cereals.

Medical reasons for a gluten-free diet

People may adhere to a gluten-free diet for several reasons:

• Coeliac disease: Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage on the villi, small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine, that promote nutrient absorption. When the villi get damaged, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body. Coeliac disease is hereditary, meaning it runs in families. People with a first-degree relative with coeliac disease (parent, child, sibling) have a 1 in 10 risk of developing coeliac disease.

• Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity: Some people may be sensitive to gluten but do not have coeliac disease and are not allergic to wheat. People with non-coeliac gluten sensitivity may feel better on a diet with less gluten.

• Wheat allergy: While rare, some people may have a wheat allergy. When a person with a wheat allergy consumes wheat, their immune system sees it as a threat and responds by releasing substances that cause allergic symptoms.

Gluten-free food

Many types of foods are naturally gluten-free, and there are also many gluten-free replacement products available. However, to be safe, always check labels for potential gluten content.

• Naturally gluten-free food groups include fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry, fish and seafood, dairy, beans, legumes, and nuts.

• Gluten-free grains include rice, oats, quinoa, corn, millet, and tapioca.

• There are also many processed gluten-free products available, such as breads, pastas, and snacks.

Risks

A gluten-free diet may lack vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Such deficiencies can lead to health problems like osteoporosis, infertility, nerve damage, and seizures.

See also

• Gluten-related disorders
• Gluten-free, casein-free diet
• Gluten-free beer
• Gluten-free food

Gluten-free Resources
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