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Gluten free diets have become increasingly popular, but it’s not clear whether such diets offer real benefits for patients suffering from diabetes. More importantly, gluten free diets for diabetes may not be appropriate for every patient. Before you consider going on a gluten free diet, here’s what you need to know about gluten and diabetes.
Gluten Free Diets
Gluten free diets are meant for individuals who have a form of celiac disease in which there is gluten intolerance. Gluten is a type of protein that is found in many types of grain such as wheat, rye, and barley. If you suffer from celiac disease, consuming foods that contain gluten can cause inflammation in the body and gastrointestinal problems.
Type 1 Diabetes And Gluten
While a gluten free diet is not recommended for all diabetics, studies show that as much as 20% of patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes also suffer from celiac disease. In most cases, the celiac disease only develops after the onset of diabetes. The researchers also found that the two conditions have some overlapping risk factors in terms of genetics as the same genes play a role in the development of both type 1 diabetes and celiac disease.
Another study by Danish researchers also found that high gluten intake during pregnancy could increase the risk of a child developing type 1 diabetes. Keeping these findings in mind a gluten free diet may benefit some type 1 diabetes patients.
Type 2 Diabetes And Gluten
In the case of type 2 diabetes, the benefits of gluten free diets are a lot less clear. However, researchers did find that gluten can prevent leptin from binding with leptin receptors. This is noteworthy as leptin is a hormone that is known to regulate appetite. Gluten intake that triggers leptin resistance, therefore, increases the risk of obesity, which is a major risk factor for diabetes and also a risk for diabetes complications. In this context, limiting or cutting out gluten intake could be beneficial.
At the same time, it should be noted that a study on patients who did not suffer from celiac disease or cardiovascular disease, but followed a gluten free diet had no measurable reduction in the risk of metabolic syndrome disorders like diabetes or heart disease. However, these individuals were found to have better cholesterol profiles and healthier body weight.
Gluten Free Diet Risks
Experts have cautioned against the fad of gluten free diets for individuals who do not suffer from gluten intolerance as it poses a risk of nutritional deficiencies. One such study specifically states that avoidance of gluten without gluten intolerance offers no benefits and could be ‘associated with adverse effects’. The researchers found that people who adopt gluten free diets without a proven gluten intolerance tend to suffer from nutritional deficiencies in a number of essential nutrients including iron, folate, calcium, and fiber.
Making Your Choice
Ultimately, your diet is a personal choice and if you suffer from diabetes, this is a decision best made in consultation with your doctor and dietician. If you have reason to believe that you may suffer from gluten intolerance, your doctor can recommend a blood test or biopsy to diagnose celiac disease. If your diagnosis is positive, it would be a good idea to follow a gluten free diet.
If your test results are negative and you still wish to try a gluten free diet, consider adopting it for just a week or two at first. If you notice any clear health benefits within this time, you could consider following a gluten free diet, unless your doctor advises against it.
Following a gluten free diet can be challenging and may limit your food choices, making it necessary to also take nutritional supplements. More importantly, when it comes to a diabetes diet, limiting your intake of high glycaemic foods is the most important consideration.
