Gluten Intolerance and the Effects of a Gluten-Free Diet

Most patients with gluten intolerance are found to be skinny before they were diagnosed. Malabsorption has taken place due to the damage of gluten to the villi of the small intestines. However, after having been diagnosed, the intestines start to heal primarily because of a gluten-free diet. This causes a positive effect wherein the food is already absorbed ready to be used by the body. In line with that, gaining weight is also a possibility. It may be difficult to imagine how a person with gluten intolerance who appears to be skinny would then turn out to be obese. Some studies show that gluten-free diet poses an increased risk for obesity. If this is the case then one must consider counting the calories and most especially having a daily routine exercise.

Nutritional deficiencies are also a problem in patients with gluten intolerance. In addition to that, gluten-free products tend to be low in vitamin B, vitamin D, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and fiber. Only a few of the gluten-free products are enriched or fortified with such vitamins. Vitamin supplements are needed to prevent diseases caused by these deficiencies such as bone loss, anemia, low immune system, diabetes, cancer, rickets as well as skeletal deformities in children. It is very important to consult a doctor before choosing a vitamin supplement which is suitable for you. Vitamin status must also be checked regularly.

Maybe you would also wonder why a gluten-free diet causes someone's cholesterol level to rise. This is primarily because packaged gluten-free containing products are often found to have higher contents of fats than their gluten-free containing counterparts. This is true especially in gluten-free products such as cookies, crackers as well as cakes. It is very important for you to watch your cholesterol levels from time to time as well to check the nutritional labels for fat and cholesterol content along with the presence of gluten. Look for peas, beans, citrus fruits and rice bran as these were found out to have high soluble fibers which have been shown to help lower the cholesterol levels.

Constipation or diarrhea might also be experienced by a person who's on a glutenintolerancehelp.com gluten-free diet. Since bread and pastas are now replaced by processed white rice which is considered to have a low fiber content then constipation would really be a consequence. However, if beans and fiber-rich grains are added in large amounts to your daily diet then diarrhea would then be expected. Take these in moderate amounts. It's very important to increase you oral fluid intake not only to hydrate your body but also to prevent constipation. In cases of diarrhea, this prevents you from severe dehydration.