A gluten-free diet is not for losing weight

Gluten-free eating has gained popularity as a way to maintain good health, thanks to celebrity endorsements. But experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) say it is not to be confused with typical weight loss procedures.

“Despite recent popularity, celebrity endorsements and an increase in availability and sales of gluten-free (GF) foods, there is no published experimental evidence to support benefits for a GF diet for the general population,” said Taraneh Soleymani, M.D., assistant professor in the departments of Nutrition Sciences and Medicine and interim medical director of UAB EatRight. “Some GF foods can even be high in fat and calories.”

A type of protein in wheat, barley, rye, and their derivatives, gluten can damage the villi in the small intestine when eaten by someone with Celiac disease (CD), and as a result hinder basic nutrients from being absorbed effectively, explains the Celiac Disease Foundation. People with CD are strongly advised to stay away from gluten products.

Some individuals with non-Celiac gluten intolerance can have a variety of symptoms from foods with gluten – but no intestinal damage — and would also benefit from eliminating it.

“A gluten-free diet is considered the gold standard of treatment in Celiac disease,” said Dr Soleymani. “Adherence to this diet means eliminating food items and drinks containing gluten, which can even include marinades, sauces, dressings and processed lunch meats.” This diet is not for everyone; a GF diet lacks dietary fibrr, iron, calcium, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin and folate, said Dr Soleymani.

“If one chooses to go gluten-free without any known gluten sensitivity, they need to supplement their diet with these vitamins and nutrients.”

In his experience as gastroenterologist Charles Elson, III, M.D., professor of medicine, said that many people put themselves on a GF diet without consulting if it is necessary, to treat gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms or just to drop pounds.

“After a while, they grow tired of eating this way and want to know if they have CD or not,” Dr Elson said, adding that a simple blood test can identify CD. “Before going on this diet, ask your doctor to test you for CD if you are experiencing GI issues,” Elson explained. “Testing for CD is highly specific. If you don’t have it, you may still have the non-Celiac gluten intolerance, which is not detected by the blood test – but instead by a reduction or elimination of symptoms on a GF diet.”

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