Some people need to live gluten free. Others elect to live gluten free. When I was diagnosed eleven years ago, only the first group existed. Given the quality and cost of the gluten free food that existed at that time, it makes sense that few people — other than persons diagnosed with gluten intolerance or celiac disease — embraced the gluten free lifestyle.
Times have changed! Folks go gluten free because people in their social group are doing it, because it makes them feel younger and more energetic, or because they have swallowed the myth that it will help them lose weight. There are probably other reasons.
PAUL’S POINT-OF-VIEW. When people in the second group meet their goals, it is probably because the individual is now feeling better and almost everything works better when a person feels better. These “successes” may be a sign indicating undiagnosed celiac disease. It is virtually impossible to diagnose celiac disease in a person who is currently living gluten free. No one should begin any diet without competent advice and supervision — the thoughts expressed earlier in this paragraph should be shared with anyone who considers starting the gluten free diet, regardless of the persons reasons for beginning.
I’m new to your site. I tested negative for celiac disease when I saw a gastroenterologist some years ago, but the only solution he would suggest for my digestive woes was medication to facilitate digestion that I would have to take for life. I didn’t like the sound of that and asked “Can I not improve my health through change in diet?” His response, “You could, but do you really want to make all that effort?”. My response was yes. On the advice of a naturopahic doctor, I have been eating gluten and dairy-free for over 3 years now. I can track the correlation between consumption of those foods and my digestive and skin problems (blisted,peeling,raw hands). So I have self-diagnosed myself as gluten intolerant. I don’t know what the full spectrum of intolerance is but I suspect that many people don’t realize that both gluten and dairy are causing preventable problems for their bodies. I suspect that celiacs are suspicious of those making a “lifestyle choice” to go GF. While non-celiacs don’t have the very serious repercussions of consuming even small amounts of gluten, those who are “merely” intolerant or sensitive have a lot to gain from elliminating it from their diet. I don’t blame people for “trying it out” – at least it increases awareness for safe food alternatives.