Why a Gluten-Free Diet is not enough when trying to improve autoimmune symptoms
Are you making this mistake when it comes to a gluten free diet?
One of the biggest mistakes that I find many people make is believing that simply removing gluten from their diet will be enough to reverse their autoimmune symptoms
We know that gluten plays an important role in enhanced intestinal permeability (aka leaky gut) which is a major contributor to autoimmune disease progression. *
Although, simply going gluten-free may not be enough to improve autoimmune symptoms as other dietary factors and nutrient deficiencies can also play a role.
Giving up gluten is not enough
This is in fact one of the most common misconceptions that many people have when they are trying to make changes to their diet.
When they don’t see the results that they are looking for in terms of getting better, they give up thinking that making changes in their diet is not really going to help them.
I find this to be heartbreaking!
However, gluten is just one piece of the puzzle. It’s only one part of the entire process of lowering inflammation by bringing the immune system back into balance so that we can reverse autoimmune symptoms.
Your immune system is protecting you 24X7
When we are exposed to any kind of environmental trigger like gluten, allergens, mold, and nuts, our immune system gears up to protect us.
This happens instantaneously and 24X7 in the background. And usually, we will not notice anything in a normal situation. That’s how our bodies were designed. However, if the level of exposure increases or continues we may develop some minor symptoms. Symptoms like sore muscles, tummy ache, runny nose, and headache.
If the level of exposure continues to increase the immune system starts to respond more aggressively to protect us. This increases the level of inflammation in our bodies.
Excess and ongoing inflammation beyond what our bodies were designed to handle will cause cellular damage. If this continues then tissue damage can occur and eventually even lead to organ damage. This is when most people get their diagnosis.
However, this process of autoimmune disease progression can continue unchecked for many years before the actual diagnosis.
There is one simple change that can kickstart the healing process for all those with an autoimmune condition. This is done by focusing on intestinal permeability.
Enhanced intestinal permeability (aka leaky gut) is one of the three main factors comprising the perfect storm behind the autoimmune disease.
Because of its role in creating or making intestinal permeability worse, full long term elimination of gluten is something that I recommend to every client with any kind of autoimmune condition.
As Dr Amy Myers has said,
“Removing gluten from your diet is the first step in treating any autoimmune disease.”
You can read her book to know more about how you can prevent and reverse autoimmune disease.
Indeed, gluten elimination is the starting point in putting autoimmune diseases into remission.
Watch the video below to know WHY a gluten free diet is not enough.
Resources
https://chriskresser.com/is-gluten-sensitivity-real/
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/mainstream-media-declares-gluten-sensitivity-myth-who-cares
*Leaky Gut and Autoimmunity: An Intricate Balance in Individuals Health and the Diseased State