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To go gluten or gluten free is the latest debate whose health effects are being studied by various medical research organisations all around the world. A recent one was conducted in Italy. Celebrities from around the world seem to be adopting gluten free food and creating a fad for it as a healthy eating habit.

It is important for us to understand what is gluten and gluten free food – according to medical dictionary gluten is a protein found in certain foods like wheat, barley, rye etc. A gluten free diet is recommended to those who have been diagnosed with celiac diseases. Gluten free doesn’t mean that the food is absolutely free of gluten but that it is free from the harmful levels of gluten. While food like egg, fish, meat, poultry, beans, fruits and vegetables are considered to be gluten free.
Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins, and lip balms.

However, gluten free food is becoming famous for its dietary benefits and after a lot of women celebrities endorsed it the food has became really popular in the western market. It includes celebrities like Miley Cyrus, who said that she was allergic to gluten and that she had celiac disease and had adopted the healthy way of eating. Markets are cashing on the leaner look of the celebrities who have adopted it and are advising it. But, is it beneficial for women as researches are not yet conclusive about the benefits and side-effects. Medical Practitioners say it should only be adopted by those who have been diagnosed with Celiac diseases. According to reports its use became so popular that between 2006 and 2010 sales of gluten free food grew by 54%.

The question is that who should avoid gluten food – it is only those people who have been diagnosed with a problem from gluten containing food. It has spread like a trend and is not advisable unless the doctor prescribes such food. Most importantly, it is not fat free as presumed by many. In fact it is the opposite as gluten free food lacks fibre resulting into serious health and nutrition related issues.
It may be considered good for women as a number of celiac diseases are triggered by pregnancy,
childbirth, menopause. Medical practitioners believe that women who have celiac before having babies have a chance of having a child with lower birth weight and thus it is recommended for such women to have gluten free diet.

Infertility in women with celiac is also connected to avoiding gluten. A research was conducted in which out of 191 infertile women four had celiac related problems and after they avoided gluten free food they were able to conceive. Thus, women who had celiac disease gluten free food is recommended and not otherwise.

Women who have symptoms like nausea, irregular menstrual cycle or having problems with child birth should get themselves diagnosed for the diseases and if it is found then they should adopt such food.
 

Tags : Gluten free, celiac, vegetables, salads, fish, eggs