Research On Gluten And Diabetes
There is significantly more research on gluten and type 1 diabetes than gluten and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes diagnosis usually presents before celiac disease
This 2015 study from Baltimore and Boston determined that celiac disease occurs in as much as 20 percent of people with type 1 diabetes.
Additionally, it determined that type 1 diabetes generally develops first. In patients in which the celiac disease developed first, the onset of their type 1 diabetes was notably later in life than average.
Lastly, patients who develop both celiac disease and type 1 diabetes tended to develop type 1 diabetes at a younger age compared to patients with type 1 diabetes who never developed celiac disease.
Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease have overlapping genetic determinants
The same study from Baltimore and Boston also found that celiac disease and type 1 diabetes have several overlapping genetic risk factors. The HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 genes have both been pinpointed as significant determinants of developing either disease.
Mothers high gluten consumption during pregnancy increases the childs risk of type 1 diabetes
This 2018 study from Denmark found that women with the highest gluten consumption during pregnancy significantly increased the risk of type 1 diabetes in their child, essentially doubling the risk.
Gluten-free diet significantly reduced the incidence of type 1 diabetes in mice
Gluten consumption leads to leptin resistance which contributes to obesity and type 2 diabetes
Breads To Break Up With
Remember simple carbs? Breads made with refined carbs spike your blood sugar and arent good for anyone especially peeps with diabetes.
Whats more, they contribute nothing to the relationship because processing strips away the good stuff, like fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
Swipe left on breads that list sweeteners like sugar, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, or molasses among the first ingredients.
And watch out for breads that contain raisins or other dried fruit, as these raise the carb and sugar content.
To help you avoid some truly regrettable hookups, stay away from these:
Pillsburys Date Quick Bread and Muffin Mix
Loaded with refined flour and sugar, this stuff has 28 grams of carbs, 14 grams of sugar, and just 1 gram of fiber per serving.
Wonder Bread
With ingredients as cheap as its price, this bread should be benched for good. High fructose corn syrup is third in the ingredient lineup, followed by a bunch of unpronounceable chemical additives. It has 13 grams of carbs, 2 grams of added sugar, and 0 fiber per slice.
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
With 28 grams of carbs, less than 1 gram of fiber, and 8 grams of sugar per serving, this popular cornbread mix is bad news for diabetes. Cant quit cornbread? Try making a healthy homemade version instead.
Gf Diet Risk Of T1d And Cd
CD is a chronic autoimmune disease that results in inflammation of the intestinal submucosa and destruction of the intestinal epithelium. The following clinical signs are typically observed: increased numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes, villus atrophy, and crypt hyperplasia. The treatment consists of a strict GF diet and if not initiated it will lead to undernourishment. The pathogenesis is thought to start with binding of gliadin to the chemokine receptor CXCR3 on enterocytes, which results in increased intestinal permeability by myeloid differentiation primary response 88 -dependent zonulin release and crossing of the lamina propria by gliadin . At this site, tissue transglutaminase deamidates glutamine residues in gliadin to glutamate, which mediates high affinity of gliadin to HLA-DQ2/DQ8 on APCs and thus activation of CD4+ T cells specific for gliadin . Next, production of proinflammatory cytokines and activation of CD8+ T cells specific for gliadin are thought to further worsen the damage to the intestine .
Hence, studies in animals and humans with T1D indicate that a GF diet may reduce the signs of CD and that the prenatal period may be of special importance .
Don’t Miss: What Happens If You Stop Taking Diabetes Medication
The Role Of Environmental Factors
Environmental factors are important in the pathogenesis of T1D. First, the incidence of T1D has been rising globally at a pace that cannot be explained by genetic drift . Second, increasing incidence has been observed in population groups that have migrated from regions with low incidence of T1D to regions with high incidence . Third, a six-fold gradient in the incidence of T1D is observed between Russian Karelia and Finland, although the frequency of the high-risk HLA-DQ genotypes is equal in the two populations , and similar gradients between neighbouring countries are also known . Fourth, monozygotic twins are most often discordant for T1D . Fifth, T1D develops in less than 10% of subjects with HLA-conferred risk genotypes , although all risk genotypes are most likely not identified yet.
Many environmental factors have been associated with increased susceptibility to T1D, including physiological stress, vaccines, toxins, cow milk , and dietary gluten. Evidence for a viral aetiology has grown during the recent years exemplified by the Diabetes virus detection study that demonstrated low-grade enterovirus infection in islets from the majority of the newly diagnosed T1D patients investigated but not in any of the non-diabetic controls . In this regard, the hygiene hypothesis is central, stating that children who are exposed to microorganisms will develop strong immunity against these, which will dampen the harmful effects from them, but also protect the child from T1D .
Should I Switch To Gluten
Remember, there is no need to switch to gluten-free diet if you dont have NCGS or celiac disease. They dont seem to have many benefits to your health, when compared to other diabetic-friendly diets.
If you have both celiac disease and diabetes, you must switch to gluten-free diet. Its the only option to avoid the damage and problems caused by having even a bit of gluten. Be sure to ask a dietitian who is certified also, when going gluten-free.
Also Check: Can Diabetics Eat Macaroni And Cheese
Coeliac Disease And Type 1 Diabetes
As well as the symptoms mentioned above, recurrent hypos can also be a sign of coeliac disease in people with type 1 diabetes because their body is not able to use the carbohydrate for energy.
If you have coeliac disease and type 1 diabetes, you need to be referred to a dietitian by your GP or your gastroenterologist for individual advice on how to manage your diet.
Flours To Use Less Often
Although there are many flour options available for people with diabetes, there are a few types that you may want to use infrequently.
These varieties of flour are very high in carbs and low in fiber, protein, or heart-healthy fats. As such, they may cause sudden spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels.
Here are a few of the flours you should use less often:
- all-purpose flour
Read Also: List Of Drugs That Raise Blood Sugar
The Link Between Type 1 Diabetes And Celiac Disease
Gluten itself isnt harmful for people with diabetes that dont have celiac disease, but gluten is often in foods that are also filled with excess sugar and carbohydrates.4 This can be bad news for people trying to manage their diabetes. Since sugar and carbohydrates affect blood sugar levels so drastically, limiting gluten will have a beneficial effect.
Another interesting connection is the fact that if you have one type of autoimmune disease, youre more susceptible to develop another one. In this case, were talking about type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. Celiac disease occurs in up to 19.7% of people with type 1 diabetes4 and in about 1% of the general population.1 There is a direct link between type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, which was first discovered in the 1960s, but no link between type 2 diabetes and celiac disease.1 Since theyre both autoimmune diseases, they need to be managed both individually and concurrently to avoid long-term side effects.
Due to the increased risk in diabetic patients, its important to get screened for celiac disease. Talk to your doctor to find out how you can get tested for celiac disease today. Oftentimes, symptoms of celiac disease go undiagnosed as many people assume theyre just symptoms of diabetes. To better manage your diabetes and care for yourself, finding out the underlying cause of any symptom is important. Differentiating between symptoms of diabetes and symptoms of celiac is no different.
What Is The Best Low Carbohydrate Diet For Diabetics
The best low-carb diet you can choose is a diet with quality. That means that you should always add more fiber and other useful nutrients and protein. Your blood sugar level will tend to rise less quickly and especially not reach high peaks. Add more wholemeal bread, brown rice, vegetables, and fruit to your daily diet.
Recommended Reading: What Is A High Blood Sugar Reading
Gluten And Diabetes: Should People With Diabetes Avoid Gluten
While going gluten-free is a bit of a fad these days, there can be good reasons for doing so especially if you live with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Could following a gluten-free diet improve your insulin sensitivity? Could it help you lose weight, feel more energized, improve your thyroid function, and eliminate your stomach woes?
Lets look at what the science says!
In this article, well look at what gluten is, the signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance or sensitivity, and what research says about gluten and diabetes.
Reasons To Avoid Gluten
Doctors recommend you go gluten-free if you have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. If you have celiac disease, eating foods with gluten damages your small intestine.
And even though non-celiac gluten sensitivity doesn’t cause the same damage, you may still experience similar symptoms, like brain fog, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, headache, and a rash.
People with type 1 diabetes are more likely to have celiac disease, because both conditions involve the immune system. Those with both a gluten-related condition and diabetes need to control their blood sugar and keep gluten out of their diets.
The bad news is that some of the foods you’ll find that are safe on the gluten-free diet are unhealthy for someone who has diabetes. This can affect your blood sugar management and cause problems with your diabetes.
The good news is that learning to manage both conditions through your diet can improve your health. But there’s no doubt that juggling the two diets at the same time is a challenge.
Also Check: How Many Points Does Metformin Lower Blood Sugar
Grain4grain Low Carb Diabetic Friendly Flour
Grain4Grain Low Carb Diabetic Friendly Flour is an affordable and healthy baking flour substitute. With only 2 grams of net carbs, it also features a higher protein and fiber content than other popular gluten-free flours, making it the new favorite among diabetics for pre-diabetes or diabetes! You can substitute Grain4Grain for any recipe that calls for cornstarch, almond meal, coconut flour, or regular, refined wheat flour.
4.5/5 stars and 23 ratings
King Arthur Keto Wheat Flour Blend
King Arthur Keto Wheat Flour Blend is the solution to those struggling with a ketogenic and diabetic diet. With just 4g of carbs and 17g of protein per 0.85lb, it’s a perfect option for deliciously baked bread without feeling like you’re sacrificing anything special. They’ve blended up batters with whole wheat flour and created something wonderfully low-carb, nut-free alternative to common keto flours like almond or coconut that will taste great and work wonders anytime you need some variety in your baking routine!
4.5/5 stars and 1,068 ratings
You May Like: What Is A High Blood Sugar Reading
How Does Gluten Affect Diabetes
In a study published in PubMed Central under the name ‘The Gluten-Free Diet: Fad or Necessity?’, authored by Amy L. Jokes states that around 19.7 per cent people suffering from celiac diseases also suffered from an increased risk of type 1 diabetes. This could be because both are autoimmune diseases. Studies show that there may be a link between type 1 diabetes and gluten.
Although the link between type 2 diabetes and gluten is still unclear, the reduced risk of obesity because of a gluten-free diet can be traced to a diminished risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Can Gluten Lead To Inflammation
Here is a simple definition of inflammation, a localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain due to infection, irritation, or injury.
Inflammation can be external or internal.
You can say Inflammation is a process by which your bodys white blood cells and the things they make protect you from infection from outside invaders, such as bacteria and viruses.
Gluten is gasoline on the fire of inflammation. It roars up throughout the body, and wherever the weak link is, thats where it will blow up.
Since Gluten can be anywhere in your blood, people with celiac can have pain and inflammation in other areas of their bodies, such as their joints.
It can also affect organ damage, bone loss, and weight loss. People with celiac disease have to follow a gluten-free diet to avoid these symptoms.
If you start to follow a gluten-free diet, your symptoms should improve within a few weeks. Many people begin to feel better in just a few days.
Sometimes intestines probably wont return to normal for few months. It could take years for them to heal completely.
Gluten-free foods that are great at decreasing inflammation in the body are chia seeds, flax seeds, fruits and vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids such as fish or fish oil supplements, walnuts, brown rice, and lean proteins chicken or tofu, and spices such as turmeric.
But its better to see the doctor once if you got any issue with them, take their advice, and make the follow-up routine check-up for fast treatment.
Also Check: Stopping Metformin Cold Turkey
When To Worry About Sugar
To be clear, problems generally start with cross-contamination in gluten-free diet sugar, either at home in shared kitchen or at grocery store. Most large stores have sugar in a different section from the flour. So, the similar-looking packages are more likely to mix up. But in some small shops, flour and sugar are stored side-by-side and airborne flour may easily land on the sugar sacks and gluten you when you pour the sugar or handle the package. So, there are chances to get glutened.
To skip this problem, buy sugar only in a large store where it is kept far from flour or be sure to clean up the package well before opening it. In this way, plastic sugar packages are better than paper.
If plain sugar has been used to bake gluten-laden items, there is also risk to get glutened as it happens if someone sticks a spoon coated with flour on the sugar bag. This kind of cross-contamination is often ignored but it can make you sick any time. If you have a shared kitchen, label your own sack of sugar gluten free and keep it at a separate place.
Recommended Reading: What Is Considered A Lethal Dose Of Insulin
Low Gluten Diets Linked To Higher Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes
- Date:
- American Heart Association
- Summary:
- Diets higher in gluten were associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Study participants who ate less gluten tended to eat less cereal fiber, a known protective factor for developing type 2 diabetes.
Eating more gluten may be associated with a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention / Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health 2017 Scientific Sessions.
Gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, gives bread and other baked goods elasticity during the baking process and a chewy texture in finished products. A small percentage of the population cannot tolerate gluten due to Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, but gluten-free diets have become popular for people without these conditions, even though there is lack of evidence that reducing gluten consumption provides long-term health benefits.
Micronutrients are dietary components such as vitamins and minerals.
In this long-term observational study, researchers found that most participants had gluten intake below 12 grams/day, and within this range, those who ate the most gluten had lower Type 2 diabetes risk during thirty years of follow-up. Study participants who ate less gluten also tended to eat less cereal fiber, a known protective factor for Type 2 diabetes development.
Story Source:
Don’t Miss: Does Red Wine Lower Blood Sugar
Consider Using Fodmaps As A Guide To Better Gi Health
Wheat products tend to be high in certain FODMAPs, Dr. Varney explains. In particular, the FODMAPs known as fructans and GOS can cause digestive issues in people with IBS. These small carbohydrates move slowly through the small intestine, attracting water along the way, she says. Some pass undigested into the large intestine, where they are fermented by gut bacteria, producing gas. The increased water and gas in the intestine can cause the intestinal wall to stretch and expand, causing pain,” she says.
A low FODMAP diet may be prescribed for individuals who have irritable bowel syndrome, Varney says. Reducing FODMAPs in the diet can help in two ways, she explains. Choosing diet reduces water movement into the small intestine and reduces gas production from the bacterial fermentation of FODMAPs, she says. And this helps reduce IBS symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating and distention, diarrhea, and possibly constipation, according to Dr. Varney.
Evaluating the low FODMAP diet has also been trialed in women with endometriosis, athletes who have GI symptoms during strenuous exercise, nursing mothers of infants who have colic, and people with have other functional gastrointestinal disorders. Initial research suggests it may also be helpful to consider avoiding FODMAPs to lessen IBS-type symptoms, says Dr. Varney.
Low Carb Chocolate Celebration Cake
I wouldnt go so far as to claim that this cake is healthy or diet as it does still contain a good dose of fat. However, if youre looking for a delicious celebration cake and working to dietary restrictions, this recipe is pretty darned good! The cake itself was dairy free, gluten-free, nut-free, sugar-free and low carb. Obviously the whipped cream topping adds a dairy element, but you could easily skip that and use a non-dairy alternative like coconut or soya. Just dont forget the candles!
I reckon that an average slice of this cake contains only about 9g carbohydrate, of which only 1g is sugar compared to about 50g carbs in a slice of standard chocolate cake!
Im quite looking forward to DHs next cooking challenge now!
Take the stress out of meal planning! Get deliciously easy, family-friendly recipes like this one delivered straight to your inbox.
You May Like: How Many Points Does Metformin Lower Blood Sugar