Going Against the Grains: Gluten-Free Diets in Patients Without Celiac Disease-Worthwhile or Not?

Overview

Journal Dig Dis Sci

Specialty Gastroenterology

Date 2019 May 19

PMID 31102129

Citations 14

Authors

Benjamin A Lerner

Peter H R Green

Benjamin Lebwohl

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

While the gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only known effective therapy for celiac disease, in recent years it has become increasingly popular in the USA and worldwide, with many believing it to be more "healthful" and others claiming that it has beneficial effects for health conditions, many extraintestinal, other than celiac disease. This review examines the evidence for use of the GFD in patients without celiac disease who self-report intestinal and/or extraintestinal symptoms (non-celiac gluten sensitivity), as well as for enhancement of athletic performance and treatment of autism, rheumatoid arthritis, and psychiatric disorders. Overall, the evidence for use of GFDs in conditions other than celiac disease is poor. Though non-celiac gluten sensitivity may ultimately emerge as a biomarker-defined condition, a large proportion of patients with apparent non-celiac gluten sensitivity have, after careful investigation, an alternative diagnosis. In light of this, and coupled with the potential physical and psychological harms associated with the avoidance of gluten, initiating a GFD should not be encouraged for people who have these other conditions or are seeking physical/athletic enhancement.

Citing Articles

Characteristics of Hospitalized Patients With and Without Celiac Disease on a Gluten-Free Diet.

Eklund R, Blackett J, Lee A, Green P, Lebwohl B Dig Dis Sci. 2024; 69(11):4116-4123.

PMID: 39395927 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-024-08677-2.

Gluten-free diet on video platforms: Retrospective infodemiology study.

Ye C, Fang Y, Lian Y, He Y Digit Health. 2024; 10:20552076231224594.

PMID: 38235417 PMC: 10793197. DOI: 10.1177/20552076231224594.

Non-celiac Gluten Intolerance: A Call to Clarify.

Jossen J, Lebwohl B Dig Dis Sci. 2023; 68(4):1084-1085.

PMID: 36662340 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-022-07802-3.

Evaluation of Gluten Exclusion for the Improvement of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults.

Lidon A, Patricia M, Vinesh D, Marta M Nutrients. 2022; 14(24).

PMID: 36558555 PMC: 9783934. DOI: 10.3390/nu14245396.

The Update of the Italian Food Composition Database of Gluten-Free Products and Its Application in Food-Based Dietary Guidelines Menus.

Fiori F, Parpinel M, Morreale F, Pellegrini N Nutrients. 2022; 14(19).

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