Gluten and diabetes are linked in two ways: individuals with type one diabetes are more likely to have celiac disease, while limiting gluten-containing foods has shown positive results in improving overall health for individuals with type two diabetes. It’s important to discuss the link with a doctor and create a treatment plan.
Gluten and diabetes are linked in two ways. Individuals with type one diabetes are more likely to have celiac disease, a condition that makes a person intolerant to gluten. For individuals with type two diabetes, limiting the consumption of gluten-containing foods has shown positive results in improving overall health. Reducing or eliminating gluten from your diet should be just one part of a larger diabetes treatment plan that you create with the assistance of a doctor.
Since the beginning of agriculture, gluten has been a part of the human diet. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and wheat products. In bread, it is the part of the grain that allows the dough to rise and keep its shape during fermentation. While its role has been important in human history, the grain products it resides in have added to the obesity epidemic. Products such as bread raise blood glucose levels. Constant spikes in blood glucose can lead to type two diabetes, a condition in which the body is resistant to the effects of insulin produced by the pancreas.
Type one diabetes, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease and has nothing to do with consuming carbohydrates or sugar. The body attacks itself and destroys the insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. The gluten-diabetes connection here is that about 10 percent of type one diabetics have celiac disease, another autoimmune disease that makes them intolerant to gluten. With celiac disease, you experience severe gastrointestinal disease after eating something that contains gluten. As of 2011, the medical community is still researching the relationship between these two disorders in hopes of finding cures for both.
In addition to taking medications, one of the main treatments for type two diabetes is reducing your intake of sugars and carbohydrates. Avoiding gluten-rich foods can achieve this, as gluten exists in foods with high levels of carbohydrates. The same benefit exists for type one diabetics, even if they don’t have celiac disease. Maintaining proper blood sugar through insulin injections and diet ensures a better quality of life. It’s important to remember that for most diabetics, gluten and diabetes are not mutually exclusive; keeping a small amount of gluten in your diet will make it easier to adjust to the dietary changes needed to treat diabetes.
If you have diabetes, it’s important to discuss the link between gluten and diabetes with your doctor. A doctor can help a patient build a treatment plan where limiting gluten intake is just one of many steps toward a healthier lifestyle. While gluten and diabetes can be a harmful combination, it’s easily avoided with the help of a professional.
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