Why All the Talk About Gluten?

   There’s a lot of talk about gluten these days.  At any gathering including food, you’re likely to encounter someone who is eating gluten free and gluten-free labels are becoming commonplace on grocery store shelves. But why?  How is it that gluten free is suddenly a “thing?”

What is Gluten?
   Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. The word actually comes from the Latin word for glue. Its binding properties are what helps to hold breads and cakes together.  Over time, continued exposure to gluten can cause damage to the GI tract interfering with your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. This can lead to a host of other, more serious medical issues.

Gluten intolerance exists on a spectrum. For some, the reaction is a mild insensitivity. For others, consuming gluten causes a severe immune reaction known as Celiac Disease. 

Is Gluten Sensitivity New?
   As medicine evolves, we’re learning more about genetic predispositions for disease. In the case of Celiac Disease, you either have the gene for that disorder, or you don’t. However, it’s not just the mere presence of the gene that brings on the disease.  Environmental factors both inside and outside the body influence whether or not the condition will manifest itself.

   So why the uptick in glute ...

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