You may have seen the words Gluten Free on food labels but probably have not given it a second thought. You may have also seen it listed as G/F on some packaging. Gluten comes from wheat, barley and rye and is a protein component that gives flour processed into dough elasticity. It is also known to be used in various foods as a thickening agent, flavoring or a stabilizer.
The reason some foods are now prepared as Gluten Free is because enough people have developed a sensitivity to the compound. This has made way for a gluten free diet to be recommended by some Doctors to their patients. In fact, celiac disease is a known result of gluten protein found in wheat. The protein is modified in the small intestine where an inflammatory reaction can occur.
Some Doctors even think that gluten takes part in autism. Children diagnosed with autism are typically placed on a gluten free diet. However, the various study results of such a diet have been inconclusive. Members of the medical profession believe that the study groups have been too small to show a real indication of whether or not this sort of diet actually helped kids at all.
Most people think that if they are to move towards a gluten free diet, that they will ultimately risk giving up dietary fiber. This is not true. Alternate sources of fiber can also be found in buckwheat, soybeans and nut flour. Oats, typically being classified as gluten free, may not always be. Usually the way oats are processed with other grains can lead to some contamination.
As with any diet, one that is gluten free must also be part of an over-all diet plan that is safe and healthy. It is recommended that you consult your Doctor in regards to any dietary change you decide to make. He or she will ultimately be able to assist you with choosing the correct components.
