What is a gluten-free diet? A gluten-free diet is a diet that excludes the protein gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, and barley. For people with celiac disease, consuming gluten can damage the lining of the small intestine. This can cause the malabsorption of nutrients, which can lead to a host of other health problems. People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity or wheat allergy may also experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, and fatigue after consuming gluten. Who needs a gluten-free diet? Anyone who suffers from celiac disease or has a gluten allergy needs to follow a gluten-free diet. According to the National Institute of Health, an estimated 1 in 133 people in the United States have celiac disease. This means that millions of people need to be on a gluten-free diet. Many other people have a non-celiac gluten sensitivity which means they cannot eat gluten without suffering symptoms like irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Th...
