Whole truth about gluten. Doctors explained whether gluten is really so harmful
Whole truth about gluten (photo: Freepik)
Many people consider gluten to be the number one enemy and avoid it in their food by all means. In fact, it can be dangerous, but only for a small percentage of people who are genetically intolerant to this substance.
RBC-Ukraine tells what you need to know about gluten with reference to Ua Health's Instagram post.
What is gluten and for whom it can be dangerous
Gluten is a wheat protein. Rye, oats, and barley contain something close to gluten, while rice and corn do not.
In most cases, protein is good for the body. However, some people suffer from celiac disease, which is gluten intolerance. In this disease, the body's own antibodies attack the intestinal cells under the influence of gluten, so it is unable to absorb nutrients.
Celiac disease has no obvious symptoms, but it can be suspected by the following signs
- frequent diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- iron deficiency anemia
- unexplained weight loss
- growth failure in infants and children
- dermatitis and cracks in the corners of the mouth
To diagnose the disease, blood is taken from a vein or an intestinal biopsy is performed. Sometimes celiac disease can be diagnosed by eliminating gluten products for several weeks. Celiac disease occurs in 1-5% of people.
Should everyone reduce their gluten intake
“Everyone does not need to give up gluten. If you're worried about extra calories, you shouldn't give up bread and oatmeal, but sweets, sugar in drinks, and fast food,” doctors advise.
If you notice symptoms of celiac disease, you should eliminate gluten from your diet and consult a doctor to get diagnosed. If the disease is confirmed, you will have to give up gluten completely - even 50 mg can lead to negative consequences.
Read more about what to eat to keep your bones strong and healthy.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
