What Is Gluten?

Bowls of rice, which contain gluten.

Gluten is a plant protein found mostly in cereal grains such as wheat, rye, spelt, kamut, emmer, einkorn and triticale, and barley. Its chemical composition consists of two primary amino acids known as Gliadin and Glutenin. These amino acid sequences are composed of four main proteins: globulins, prolamins, albumins, and glutelins. Different types of grain contain different concentrations of the four main proteins. Wheat contains higher concentrations of glutelins and prolamins. Corn and rice have higher concentrations of albumins and globulins. Glutelins are especially dangerous to the body for those who are intolerant or allergic to gluten. This is because of the way that the acids in the body break these proteins down.

What is Gluten In?

The largest source of gluten comes from products made from wheat. For this reason, many people associate the word with wheat and wheat derivatives. To a certain extent as well, many health conscious consumers are also careful to watch out for products made from rye and barley. However, the pervasiveness of gluten is far more extensive than even conscientious shoppers often realize. It is used in a number of products that have nothing to do with cereal grains. This is because of its unique ability to bind links between air and water.

The word “gluten”, in fact, was coined as a deliberate reference to this glue-like, cross-linking ability. When gluten is added to bread products, it causes them to rise during baking. It also adds stability to ice cream, ketchup, and other condiments such as salad dressing, marinating sauces, and gravy.

What is Gluten Intolerance?

It is actually a group of three conditions that can affect up to 10 percent of the population. These conditions are wheat allergy, celiac disease, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. While diagnosis of these conditions is often imprecise and difficult, there is cause to believe that gluten intolerance, to any extent, can contribute to a variety of other health conditions.

Many of these intolerances create an abnormal autoimmune response whenever wheat or its proteins enter the body. Allergy to wheat can cause a person to break out in hives, experience breathing difficulty, or suffer from digestive concerns. Celiac disease, which is rare, but very severe, can cause irritation of the small intestine and damage to its lining. Celiac disease can also cause weight loss, bloating, headaches, and fatigue.

What is Gluten Free?

A gluten free food product is one that does not contain gluten. Typically, this term is more often used to describe a gluten free diet. There are many such diets that are recommended through various print media and online sources. The Global Healing recommends that you build a gluten free diet around organic foods that are additive and chemical free. We also recommend that you consider some of the many supplements, such as VeganZyme®, that help break down gluten in the body and reduce the body’s sensitivity to its proteins. Even if you are not sensitive to this pervasive plant protein, such supplements can help your body better digest and process its chemical makeup.

†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.


Top
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATE

Dr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.

Related Posts
The Ultimate Candida Diet Program
Candida Defined Causes Symptoms Diet Plan Supplementation Maintenance Ten years ago, few people knew about the significance of Candida overgrowth, let alone the health benefits of embarking on a Candida...
Heavy Metal and Chemical Cleanse: 30-Day Whole-Body Detox
Exposure to toxins and heavy metals can take a real toll on your health. Toxin overload can inflame the body and cause a range of mild yet seemingly unexplained symptoms,...
Golden Maple Turmeric Tea: Recipe for a Healthy Inflammatory Response
As the days grow colder, we often find ourselves craving warmth and comfort inside and out. Lower temperatures and fewer hours of sunlight also mean your immune system could use...
Your Guide to Insulin Resistance and Why it's Important to Manage
Insulin resistance is a growing health concern that affects millions of people worldwide. The condition occurs when the body's cells become less responsive to insulin. As a result, the pancreas...
Your Body Is the Medicine: An Overview of Self-Healing
This post is an introduction to Your Body Is the Medicine – a Global Healing series that dives into eight self-healing systems, how they work, and what you can do...
Inflammation: Why It Happens and How to Turn It Into Healing Power
Inflammation is your body's natural way of defending and healing itself. When you get a cut, twist an ankle, or fight off an infection, your immune system responds with inflammation...
Back to blog