NATURAL FIXES: A Guide to Gluten

Ditching this ingredient is all the rage, but it's not necessary for everyone.

- ANDREW WEIL, M.D.

A few decades ago, not many people knew about gluten, let alone claimed to be sensitive to it. Today, the word "gluten" is tossed around as if it's a bad thing we all should avoid. But what exactly is gluten, and why are some people so worried about it? Gluten is a protein in wheat, barley, and rye. Most of us can ingest it without trouble, but when people with celiac disease consume gluten, their bodies mount an autoimmune attack on the small intestine, leading to chronic gastrointestinal problems: bloating, gas, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. Celiac disease also interferes with the absorption of some nutrients and can cause weight loss, infertility, and, in children, delayed or stunted growth.