The
number of Americans on a gluten-free diet tripled from 2009 to 2014,
according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine—but during that same time
period, the number of people diagnosed with celiac disease dropped 17%.
With weight loss benefits touted by celebrities, and new aisles in the
grocery store devoted to gluten-free goodies, eliminating gluten can seem
like just another trendy dietary choice.
But for the 1% of the population
with celiac disease, the diet is vital to their health and well-being. If
you have celiac disease and get "glutened," you may experience gas,
bloating, abnormal stools, vomiting, fatigue, or weight loss. Over time, this
immune response caused by consuming gluten can damage the small intestine—making
it infinitely harder for your body to absorb nutrients from the food you
eat.
