Thinking of going gluten free? Here's what you should know. Removing gluten from the diet has become a fashionable method of losing weight and beating the bloat, but what does it mean to go gluten free. Are there benefits?

Gluten is the name given to a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It can be found in many types of foods, most commonly in bread, pasta, cereals, soups, beer, even salad dressings.

Avoiding gluten is vital with those who have celiac disease because gluten damages their small intestine and nutrients cannot be absorbed properly. Symptoms include bloating, cramps, brain fog, nausea and diarrhea. Although only a small percentage are allergic to gluten, many suffer from gluten sensitivity and avoid it to prevent digestive discomfort.

Following a gluten free diet has many benefits; we avoid fast food, fatty processed foods and carbs that raise blood sugar levels too quickly. We see many people following this diet to lose weight as gluten free means no refined pastries, pre cooked meals and carbs deficient in nutrients. It has also helps those with IBS and ulcerative diverticulitis.

Interestingly, studies have shown that gluten has been linked to other autoimmune disorders like type one diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Gluten enters the bloodstream, our immune system forms antibodies against this foreign body, but sometimes the foreign body looks so alike our own cells that our bodies start to attack the healthy cells as well leading to autoimmune disease.

It is not necessary to completely avoid gluten, however it has many benefits. Take a look at the paleo diet if you are thinking about going gluten free, but remember it may be necessary to take b vitamins, iron and folic acid supplements to make up for the loss of energy when removing gluten from your diet.