Non-celiacs And Gluten-free Diet

[hebsten]

Hi- I am not a celiac but have adopted a completely gluten-free diet since my partner was diagnosed three months ago. I do not feel unhealthy although I get occassional stomach pains.

I cannot find any information on the impact of a gluten-free diet on non-celiacs. Are there any dangers and/or side effects? I'm especially concerned that I might not get all the nutrients I need. Should I take any supplements?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

H

[Ursa Major]

The gluten-free diet is perfectly healthy, and you don't miss anything by cutting out gluten grains. As long as you eat meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts you should be perfectly fine.

The value of nutrition from grains is highly overrated, and of course, the grain farmers do their utmost in advertising to make you believe you need grains for health.

Taking a good mulitvitamin is a good idea nevertheless, as these days the soil food is grown in is often depleted, and it is almost impossible to get everything you need just from food nowadays.

[tarnalberry]

the only finding that's every been made about a gluten free diet being nutritionally questionable is in the area of folic acid, as wheat flour and wheat-based bread products have folic acid added to them as an 'extra'. the idea that not getting additives to give you enough folic acid, however, assumes that you're eating a fairly crappy diet to begin with. if you're eating healthy foods, and not snarfing down crap most of the time, you're going to be fine, if not healthier.