Is a Gluten-free Diet Right for You?

Gluten-free diets have been around for years for those who have celiac disease, which is an inability to digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Recently, more people have become gluten-free fans, claiming they have more energy after switching to the diet.

Could a gluten-free diet be right for you? Dr. David Brownstein, Newsmax contributor and author of “The Guide to a Gluten-Free Diet,” provides answers.

“Gluten is a large protein that can be very difficult to digest for those who have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity,” Brownstein says. “Statistics show that one in 133 people has celiac disease, but my experience shows the number is much higher.”

Sensitivity to gluten is associated with numerous autoimmune disorders, including thyroid problems. “I see it occurring with increasing frequency, and I have found it very difficult to treat anyone with thyroid problems who doesn’t remove gluten from their diet.”

The obesity epidemic, says Brownstein, may be associated with the increasing amount of gluten in American diets. “We’re getting more in our diets than years ago.” Plants are bred to produce more gluten, which allows breads and bakery products to rise higher.

Brownstein has found that people who are sensitive to gluten have trouble losing weight. “I’ve found it is impossible to lose weight if one has a gluten sensitivity. One of the first things I do is put people on a gluten-free diet.”

Would everyone benefit from eliminating gluten? “No,” says Brownstein. “Most of us can tolerate gluten, but a significant portion of people — I would estimate 5 to 10 percent — would benefit.”

If you have digestive troubles and try a gluten-free diet, diarrhea and bloating often clear up quickly. Immune problems, like arthritis and fatigue, also begin to ease. But, Brownstein warns, it takes about six weeks for your system to rid itself completely of gluten antibodies.

“If you are going to go gluten-free, you need to give it a trial of six weeks without cheating,” he says. “If you mess up, you’ll have to give it another six weeks to get the best results.”