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Gluten-free diet only in celiac disease actually healthy
Gluten intolerance (celiac disease) leads to inflammation in the small intestine and unpleasant symptoms such as stomach cramps and a bloated stomach due to the consumption of gluten. Only a strict avoidance of gluten whitening, which is found in many cereals and other processed foods, can help. Those who have no intolerance, should avoid gluten-free products, however, because these may lead to weight gain under certain circumstances.
Inflammation of the small intestine can have serious consequences
Celiac disease is a chronic disease of the small intestine, which is caused by lifelong intolerance to Gluten gluten. If you take gluten-containing foods, typical symptoms such as abdominal pain, flatulence, and a fatty stool appear. In addition to the acute symptoms also long-term impairments. As a result of the inflammation, the small intestine villi form, which disturbs the uptake of nutrients and severe deficiencies can occur.
Gluten-free does not automatically mean healthy. Image: Marco2811 - fotolia About one percent of Germans suffers from celiac disease, for which there is no cure yet. Therefore, sufferers have to eat consistently gluten-free life in order to have no complaints and to avoid long-term consequences. But in today's "consumption paradise" a gluten-free diet is often not so easy, because the gluten protein comes in many cereals such. Wheat, spelled, rye, barley and oats, and is used in numerous other foods due to its good food-technological properties.
Gluten-free diet trend comes from the USA
Meanwhile, the industry has responded and there are more and more products offered without gluten. "This is great and shows that the awareness of the disease is greater," said Bianca Maurer of the German Celiac Society. But this development also has a downside: "From the US, a trend towards gluten-free diet has been swung over. That is not to be supported, "adds the expert in an interview with the news agency" dpa ". Because for people without intolerance bring the renunciation neither health benefits nor a weight loss effect, but some people would even take it, explains Maurer.
This is due to the fact that the products normally have a lower content of fiber and are drier due to the lack of gluten - which is usually compensated by more sugar and fat. In addition, the new nutrition trend from the USA would have negative consequences for the acceptance of "genuine" intolerance. "Concerned persons, who are absolutely dependent on the gluten-free diet, are no longer taken seriously", Maurer points out. A not to be underestimated aspect, because the disease should be taken very seriously. "It is assumed that one-eighth gram of wheat flour can cause discomfort," explains the expert.
Bone pain may be an indication of intolerance
If the disease is detected and the diet is changed accordingly, the symptoms usually disappear after a few days or weeks. No medication is needed, and consistent dieting does not require any subsequent damage. "The intestine is generally completely regenerated within half a year to one year," adds Maurer. However, it is problematic that celiac disease can cause not only the classic gastrointestinal symptoms but also complaints that do not affect the intestine (extraintestinal symptoms). "Who thinks of bowel or joint pain to a bowel disease?" Iron deficiency, fatigue, exhaustion, difficulty concentrating and dry skin - therefore the intolerance is also referred to as "chameleon of medicine".
It may take a while for the disease to be detected. If there is a suspicion, the family doctor should be consulted, which can give first clues by means of a blood test for antibodies. However, for final clarification, gastroscopy and tissue sampling (biopsy) from the small intestine are usually necessary. This is a relatively short procedure performed by a gastroenterologist, explains Maurer. Despite the suspicion, however, sufferers should not suddenly eat gluten-free, because then the diagnosis may not be made, so the expert's warning. (No)