{"id":71,"date":"2017-10-17T04:23:50","date_gmt":"2017-10-17T04:23:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/healing-health-wellness\/?p=71"},"modified":"2023-04-12T20:44:57","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T20:44:57","slug":"gluten-the-evil-doer-or-guilt-by-association-microbiome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/healing-health-wellness\/2017\/10\/gluten-the-evil-doer-or-guilt-by-association-microbiome\/","title":{"rendered":"Gluten- The Evil-Doer or Guilt by Association?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is Gluten Always Bad?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gluten<\/a> has become a dirty word in the diet and health culture industry.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s reason for this.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve written previously on how this protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and other related grains may indeed trigger a negative response in certain individuals. (1,<\/a> 2,<\/a> 3<\/a>, 4<\/a>, 5<\/a>) Under specific health contexts, accompanied by proper testing and\/or clinical observations to warrant its association to discomfort, it is probably wise to remove it\u2026at least until the underlying cause is addressed and health is restored.<\/p>\n

In other cases, as with those with celiac disease, gluten may be the known perpetrator, contributor, and trigger of unwanted systemic effects and gastrointestinal harm. Therefore, individuals with this diagnosis, which has a genetic component, would be wise to avoid its ingestion\u2026 throughout the rest of their life. This \u201cextreme\u201d measure is to decrease the possibility of causing harm to their bellies\u2019 lining and bodies, as celiac disease is a disorder<\/a> of malabsorption as well as an abnormal immune reaction to gluten.<\/p>\n

Lately, numerous experts in health have deemed gluten as a major cause and contributor to a wide range of chronic health diseases. In fact, many have proclaimed that the grain, regardless of quality and food prep, should never be eaten\u2026 ever again\u2026by anyone. (Hmmm\u2026shades of butter bashing<\/a>?)<\/p>\n

I admit, I previously had a bit of bias against<\/a> gluten. In the past, I was quick to point out that it had no place on anyone\u2019s plate. I even explored in several blogs the ways it negatively impacted the body.<\/p>\n

It is true that science does support that cessation of gluten in the diet has been helpful in mitigating symptoms of various disease processes\u2026but why?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Deeper Dive into Why Someone May React to Gluten
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recently, I updated my viewpoint on gluten. I wrote a two-part series that explored gluten\u2019s association to conditions other than celiac disease.<\/p>\n

In Part I, I explored:<\/p>\n