Correlation between Gluten Intolerance and Weight Gain

Gluten intolerance leads to many a complication, such as weight gain or an inability to lose weight, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. If you are intolerant to gluten, elimination of gluten from diet is advised to help you from achieving a healthy weight.

Gluten Intolerance and Weight Gain

• Gluten intolerance, which is better known to worsen the symptoms of celiac disease in patients, also leads to weight gain.
• Weight gain occurs as body receives more energy than it needs, which is stored as fat cells for later use.
• Another reason for weight gain could be a metabolic disorder, such as hormonal imbalances or food intolerances.
• Gluten may be problematic owing to the fact that it causes leptin resistance. Leptin resistance is the disorder in which the brain cannot understand signals that you’ve had enough.
• Higher inflammation levels which release cortisol (stress hormone) also promote weight gain, or a change in the production of leptin hormone.

Gluten containing Foods

1. Gluten-containing grains, such as wheat, barley, rye and oats, are part of dietary regimen.
2. These are found almost in all the grain-based products, such as breakfast cereals, breads, pasta, crackers, muffins, cookies, doughnuts and other baked foods.
3. Sauces, marinades, dressings and seasonings also contain gluten.

Gluten Intolerance makes you Gain Weight

• If you have gluten intolerance, ingredient label of foods should be carefully read before selecting them to ensure that gluten is completely omitted from diet.
• Gluten-free foods, such as quinoa, legumes, corn, brown rice, millet, teff, fruits and plain yoghurt, should be preferred over gluten foods.
• It is advised to consume foods that are naturally free from gluten. Keeping this in mind, structure a diet chart that gives you balanced nutrition.
• Diet chart should include protein-rich foods such as red meat, eggs, cheese, fish, seafood and poultry, fat sources, such as avocado, nuts and nut butter.
• Seasoned, marinated, prepared, breaded and coated food preparations should be avoided. Stick to a healthy and gluten-free diet to lose weight.

Leptin Intolerance

Weight gain in patients with gluten intolerance may occur as a result of leptin intolerance. Leptin hormone manages brain signal to control appetite, or desire to eat or not to eat. Gluten intolerance accompanied by leptin intolerance, disrupts normal food intake of the body.

Apart from weight loss, administering gluten intolerance with dietary modifications will help you overcome many other health complications. Gastrointestinal distress, behavioural problems and autoimmune diseases can be prevented with effective management of gluten intolerance.

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