Increase text size: A A A

Type in the condition you need,
or visit Advanced Search

Print this page

Email this to a friend

Comment on this page

Save to my Health Library

Johns Hopkins Health Alert

Should You Try a Gluten-Free Diet?

People with celiac disease are sensitive to gluten, a component of wheat and other grains. No medication or surgical procedure can cure celiac disease. The only way to treat it is to adopt a completely gluten-free diet: avoiding all food and drink containing wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. But what if you don’t have celiac? Is a gluten-free diet good for your health?

As diagnosis and awareness of celiac disease have increased, a wide variety of gluten-free foods have hit store shelves. While these products are essential for people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, their benefit for others is less definitive.

Celiac disease causes intestinal damage that's visible on a biopsy. Gluten sensitivity, meanwhile, may cause some of celiac disease's gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms -- diarrhea, gas, bloating, vomiting, and constipation -- but not intestinal damage. There's no evidence that gluten sensitivity will one day turn into celiac disease, so avoiding gluten is more about reducing present symptoms than preventing future damage.

Gluten alone is not harmful to anyone without celiac disease, but it is present in many unhealthy foods. Refined carbohydrates can make you feel sluggish, but it's probably the spike in blood glucose levels and the lack of fiber -- not the gluten -- that's to blame.

If you have GI symptoms, see your doctor before adopting a gluten-free diet. You may need to be tested for celiac disease, and going gluten free beforehand can make intestinal damage less obvious on a biopsy.

For people without celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, a strict gluten-free diet probably isn't worth any potential health benefits: It can be deficient in some nutrients, such as B vitamins (particularly folic acid).

Posted in Digestive Health on October 26, 2009

Notify Me

Would you like us to inform you when we post new Digestive Disorders Health Alerts?

Your email address:

Comments

Post a Comment

Health Alerts registered users may post comments and share experiences here at their own discretion. We regret that questions on individual health concerns to the Johns Hopkins editors cannot be answered in this space.

The views expressed here do not constitute medical advice, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins Medicine or MediZine LLC, which has no responsibility for any comments posted on this site.


i was on a high carb diet. with lots of glutens. i barely ate anything else. i had also had my gall bladder out and was not eating regularly. i ended up getting major, small, bloody sores in my stomach and intestines and my digestion was very slow. after i started eating correctly (veggies and proteins) and eating regularly (every 2 to 3 hours) (got off carbs completely for 3 months to 6 months) then i healed up. months down the line i started eating carbs again and felt yucky off an on. then i went on a gluten free diet. now i feel much better. i tested negative both endoscopies for gluten. i definitely have a gluten sensitivity. i think the poor diet gave me leaky gut.

Posted by: darlatolliver | October 26, 2009



Post a Comment


Already a subscriber?
Login

Email:

Password:


Forgot your password?

New to Johns Hopkins Health Alerts?
Register to submit your comments.

Your Email Address:

(example: yourname@domain.com)

 

(800) 829-0422

Registered Users Log-in:

Email:

Password:

Remember me
Forgot Password?

Become a Registered User!
It's fast and FREE!
The Benefits of Being A Registered User

Health Topic Pages

Arthritis
Back Pain & Osteoporosis
Cancer
Caregivers | Caregiving
Colon Cancer
Complementary Medicine
Depression & Anxiety
Diabetes
Digestive Health
Enlarged Prostate
Exercise and Fitness
Healthy Living
Heart Health
Hypertension & Stroke
Lung Disorders
Memory
Men's Health
Nutrition
Prescription Drugs
Prostate Disorders
Sexual Health
Vision
Weight Control
Women's Health
Health Alert Special Report



Johns Hopkins’ Bestsellers

Digestive Disorders

Our Featured Title:

Johns Hopkins White Papers

  • 2010 Digestive Disorders White Paper
    In this comprehensive White Paper you'll learn the latest news and breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of acid reflux (GERD), sour stomach, peptic ulcers, dysphagia, achalasia, Barrett's esophagus, esophageal spasm and stricture, gastritis, gallstones, diarrhea, constipation, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. 96 pages.
    Read more or order the DIGITAL EDITION
    Read more or order the PRINT EDITION



    Other Titles of Interest

  • 2010 Colon Cancer White Paper
    Colon cancer is the third most common cause of cancer overall in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Yet it is one of the most curable of all cancers when diagnosed and treated in its early stages. In the Colon Cancer White Paper, specialists from Johns Hopkins Medicine report in-depth on the latest colon cancer screening tests, prevention strategies, and treatments. 88 pages.
    Read more or order the DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
    Read more or order the PRINT EDITION

    Reference Books

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50
    Since 1988, Hopkins experts have been reporting the latest cutting-edge information on treating the major medical conditions affecting those over 50. Women's health, men's medical concerns, nutrition, weight control, breakthroughs on digestive disorders, and more, direct to you every month from our specialists. Read more, collect your FREE trial issue, or order now and receive two FREE Special Reports...

    Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health after 50

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50
    A comprehensive home medical encyclopedia that gives you a “crash course” on more than 100 major medical concerns of men and women over 50! Organized in an easy-to-use A to Z format, the Medical Guide provides in-depth explanations of the many chronic health problems associated with aging – high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, dementia, memory loss, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and gallstones, to name but a few.Read more or order...

    Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies

  • Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies
    This easy-to-use reference book can help you pinpoint the causes of hundreds of disorders, from abdominal pain to skin rash to swollen glands. The book is divided into two distinct sections: symptoms, which includes charts covering a wide range of common symptoms and possible diagnoses, and disorders, which discusses the disorder, its causes, prevention advice, treatment strategies, and other crucial information so you will be able to either treat yourself at home, or know when it's time to call a doctor. Read more or order...




  • ALL NEW!Number One of America's Best Hospitals 2009: Johns Hopkins

    The Johns Hopkins Hospital has been ranked #1 again in the Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals by
    U.S. News and World Report for the 19th consecutive year.


    Please visit here for more information about Johns Hopkins Patient Services


    © 2010 MediZine LLC. All rights reserved.
    Contact Us
    customerservice@johnshopkinshealthalerts.com