You Probably Don't Need to Be on that Gluten-free Diet

This is another one of those videos that I expect many of you to hate. Gluten is surprisingly polarizing. Of course, most of the evidence that many of you will throw at me are anecdotes. And we all know that the plural of "anecdote" is not "data". So let's talk about gluten, and whether a gluten-free diet is for you. "Spoiler" – for the vast majority of you, the answer is "no".


John Green -- Executive Producer
Stan Muller -- Director, Producer
Aaron Carroll -- Writer
Mark Olsen -- Graphics

[jdsantacrose]

From a research perspective I totally agree that we need better studies for this and more of them, as well as doctors making accurate diagnoses. But from a patient perspective who cares if the relief comes from a placebo?

[S.Kwasher]

I just wanted to start off by saying I really respect and admire the fact that you guys make these videos. I think they're well put together and easy access while not being 'dumbed down' for the masses. That said, I noticed myself becoming a bit irritated by this video. Not because I disagreed with what you said (I come from Finland and that 'gluten-free' thing is not as big here, but it was a good eye-opener) but with how you said it. The following I'm going to say is sincerely meant as good-natured criticism, and I hope you don't misunderstand me. The source of my irritation was that you sounded, and looked, at times (and quite a lot of times) condescending and kind of mean. A person who has bought into the gluten-free diet, spent lots and lots of money on it and is now being proved wrong, should NOT feel stupid. Today my grandmother who was a chemist for a food company told me that additives are fine, whereas salt is the real threat in our food. I've had the idea most of my life that additives are unhealthy and that sugar is much more dangerous than salt. Now I don't know what to believe. And this happens ALL THE TIME these days. Everybody has more opinions on health and diets than you can shake a stick at, and I'm not sure anybody is capable of getting it completely right. So when we do get it wrong, please don't make us feel dumb. We should feel some anger at the companies that tricked us, but not at ourselves. And when you speak in a kind of aggressively condescending manner, you make them feel dumb. And since you want to do people good and educate them, maybe this is not the best way to do it. Cheers.

[analyticalatheist]

But the gluten-free fad is super helpful to people with celiac. Because now all of the grocery stores have good gluten-free food.

[SpacelordGrakthnor]

In my nutrition class we talked about fructans sensitivity and how that might be related to some of the anecdotes people have about wheat-free diets improving their digestive health.

[idamork]

For the love of everything holy, let this fad continue. It has made life so much easier for us with Coeliac disease! Suddenly there are tasty options at the grocery market, restaurants that mark their menu properly, and even gluten-free beers available. Let the market decide. If someone happens to prefer not eating gluten, let them.

[eustacia]

Excellent video! 2 things:
1) I am not sure I'd consider a disease that affects 1 out of 141 people to be rare. Those stats mean most people are gonna know someone who has it. Certainly its a high enough percentage that if you own, say, a restaurant, you should consider making some gluten free menu options.
2) While the trendiness of gluten free is EXTREMELY annoying, the benefit is that people who have celiac or wheat allergies are now having a much easier time getting food they can eat. My friend in college with Celiac had to order all his food special to avoid gluten. 17 years later my friends with celiac and wheat allergies can shop at a normal grocery store. 

[tymo]

My mom was hospitalized many years ago because she was dehydrayted and mal-nourished, with almost no energy to move. While she has never taken the blood test for Celiac's, her doctor recommended that she cut gluten out of her diet - that she may be intolerant. It's been years and years of gluten free brownies and cheesburgers without buns, and the only time her symptoms return is when she eats a gluten-contaminated food. She doesn't see a reason to take the test because her symptoms are managed.

[mouse]

Amen! It’s wonderful to see someone providing a voice of reason these days.

[TheFishtownies]

great video, but can you please work on the focus problem?  it is very distracting

[shantealletain]

When I first brought up to my doctor about my theory on having celiac based on symptoms, his answer was then stop eating gluten. Didn't order tests and shrugged it off. Then years later after my endoscopy and follow-up with a GI, I am now to be on a gluten free diet for 6 months and retest! General family physicians need more training in celiac diagnosis.

[kaylaempson]

"The plural of anecdotes is not data" haha I love this.

[Mythrilspade]

I've been asking for this topic to be an episode for several months.  Thank you!

[sarahellenvlogs]

 First off, I want to thank you for mentioning wheat allergies. I rarely hear it mentioned in these gluten/wheat talk videos and articles.
I am a person who does have a medical reason for avoiding wheat/gluten. I have a disease called Eosinophilic Esophagitis. My body confuses food proteins for parasites and my esophagus gets the raw end of the deal. I know wheat is a trigger through biopsies of my esophagus during food trials. The problem I have with videos like this one is that people see them and automatically assume they are experts. I have to deal with so much crap because I am thought to be a trend goer. I have gotten snide remarks at the grocery store, at parties, even by family members. People don't ask, they just assume and it sucks. I wish more than anything that everyone would just mind their own business. It is hard having to live with my disease and I would really like to go about my life without being questioned about why I eat the way that I do.

[davbeck]

My wife was recently diagnosed with a wheat allergy. In a weird way I appreciate all the people on the gluten free fad diet, because it has driven demand for gluten free products up, which has led to gluten free options and information being much more available.

[UltraHuman]

Went gluten free almost 10 years ago. Reversed autoimmune issues that were bad enough I was starting the process of applying for disability. No one ever "diagnosed" me so I'm not a part of any data set. Unfortunately sometimes we don't have data, we have anecdotes but it doesn't make reality any different.

[Dr_Bille]

This is the first of your videos I've ever watched, but I can already tell I like the content. Subscribed

[fearthemoo]

I am a celiac and I am very happy that this fad is going on. It is forcing companies to make better gluten free food. My life has improved tremendously due to this fad, I hope it doesn't end.

[jliller]

I hope a discussion of health related to vegan/vegetarian diets will be coming in the future.  It's probably the most common diet-type, and probably the only one that eclipses gluten-free.

[avoisin]

I'm relevant!  You left out what I have - SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth).  It was diagnosed by doctor/lab tests after a lifelong battle with years of stomach issues.  Short version is the gut bacteria in my small intestine go crazy when they get their hands on any grains OR sugars.  You can imagine how easy it is to find foods that contain neither.

Luckily, for me, I can generally get by just by drinking lots of water and minimal soda.  I still feel too tired and and have stomach problems every day, but at least it's far better than it was.  If I am really, really good about the diet, I do better, but it's nearly impossible to maintain.

SIBO is quite real, although I have no idea how many others have it.  It is another reason to avoid gluten (or any grain).

[grungegorilla]

Healthcare Triage I'm severely allergic to fish causes anaphylactic shock, almost immediate to contact, and i become incredibly miserable (extreme seasonal environmental allergies like symptoms) if i'm around the smell too long if it's too strong. I'm also allergic to nuts, walnuts, pecans, brazil nuts. At 18 i became allergic to peanuts, which blows cause i loved PB & J sandwiches.Nuts cause me to vomit, and tongue/throat to get itchy while peanuts only cause my body to get itchy.

Could you take an episode to explain allergies and what happens to our bodies, and why the severity or reactions?