Is gluten free food good for health?

Is gluten free food good for health ?

What is Gluten? : Gluten is a group of proteins found in cereal grains like -wheat, barley and rye. It is found in the endosperm (a kind of tissue produced in seeds that make flour) and nourishes plant embryos during germination. It is the gluten which affects the elasticity of dough, working as a glue to hold the food together, which in turn affects the chewiness of baked products. In other words, gluten is a mixture of several proteins within the same family, though it is primarily made up of two different classes of proteins called gliadin and glutenin. Gliadin gives bread the ability to rise during baking whereas glutenin causes dough's elasticity. However, certain grains like sorghum, millet, brown rice, buckwheat, wild rice, amaranth, quinoa, corn (polenta) and teff. Oats etc. do not contain gluten, hence called gluten-free. 

Is Gluten bad for all people?: Gluten is not bad for all people but it is certainly bad for those who are gluten sensitive or gluten intolerant as their bodies produce an abnormal immune response when breaking down gluten during digestion. One kind of problem due to gluten is called celiac disease in which the patient's immune system is triggered by the consumed gluten and it starts damaging his intestine preventing it to absorb vital nutrients. Another problem due to gluten is called irritable bowel syndrome which is a kind of gastrointestinal disorder. This disorder causes bloating, cramping and sometimes diarrhea as the gluten grains consumed are high in starches and sugars that can be easily fermented by intestinal bacteria. The gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance is different from the wheat allergy, a rare kind of allergy which causes reactions on skin, respiratory or gastrointestinal system.  

      Researches have disclosed that there is another kind of intolerance called non-celiac gluten sensitivity(NCGS) in which patients with gluten sensitivity, after consuming gluten may experience several celiac disease symptoms like diarrhea, fatigue and joint pain but it does not damage intestines. These symptoms may be due to poor digestion problem or placebo effect. This problem appears mostly in females and young to middle aged adults. Such problems can be cured by the patients by themselves without consulting doctor, by consumption of gluten free diet.

What is a gluten free diet?  As discussed above, gluten refers to the proteins found in certain cereals like wheat, barley etc. which may cause adverse reaction in people who suffer from gluten related disorders. First of all, in the gluten free diet, these grains are excluded from the list of food we take. Such food items like- breads, pastas, sauces, salad dressings, soups, processed foods and other baked food items made from gluten containing flours and refined flours may be avoided. Now a days, if we go for Oats and other gluten free food items, then we should be very careful to buy these items from reliable sources as they may often mixed or contaminated with wheat while processing. To avoid such things we must buy Oats in the form of whole grain which is certainly a gluten free food. 

For buying Oats, click the following link.

https://www.amazon.in/True-Elements-Gluten-Free-Rolled/dp/B01LN5RJD6

Is gluten free diet helps to control body weight? There is general misconception that gluten free diet is helpful to lose weight as claimed by many promoters of gluten free food items. This may not be absolutely correct. However, gluten free diet is healthier not only for those with gluten related disorders but it can also help to certain extent in controlling body weight for other people also. But for achieving this target of losing weight, we have to adhere to the rules of balanced diet and regular physical exercise. 

Advice for general people ?  To control and maintain ideal body weight, the people who consume everyday large amount of breads, pastas, cookies specially made from refined flours, can include in their diet seasonal fruits and vegetables etc. For the people who want shifting totally to gluten free diet from gluten rich food may face problems like deficiency in fiber, vitamins and minerals which are found in gluten containing foods, if fruits and vegetables are not consumed regularly. In that way, taking only gluten free diet may contain higher level of fat and sugar to make such gluten free food delicious and attractive as removing gluten from such food makes it less tasty. Adding sugar and fat into these may cause weight gain and other health complications. Thus, be cautious to be happy in old age, away from maximum health complications as everyone has to face the old age health problems.

K.B.

Eating fish is good for health

Eating fish or fish products is good for health in many ways. It is one of the healthiest food on the earth as it is mostly loaded with nutrients like protein, vitamin D, iodine and minerals. It is a low fat food and also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which is very important substance for our body and brain. In brief, Omega-3 fatty acids help in maintaining cardiovascular health by regulating blood clotting and vessel and also helpful in reducing depression and halting mental decline in older people.

Fish have been one of the first food items that human being started eating since beginning of the civilisation. Many researchs have also proved the benefits of eating fish. Generally all types of fish are good excet a few varieties. In Asian Countries it is seen that many people don't like eating fish due to their religious belief and other reasons. However, the people who dont like eating fish then if they wish they can consume other eatables which are made of fish like- fish oil, fish pickles. fish flour, fish silage etc.

For buying fish oil please click the link below :

https://www.amazon.in/HealthKart-Fish-1000-Omega-Capsules/dp/B07N1NQNKL/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1553153505&sr=8-6&keywords=fish+for+health

Let us know that what are the health benefits we can get by consuming fish and fish products : 

1. Eating fish can lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes, which are most common cause of premature death in wholeover world. Researcher have proved that people who eat fish regularly have a lower chance of heart attacks and other heart related problems. 

2. Omega-3 fatty acids are also benefitial for growth and development of body parts as the omega-3 fatty acids acumulates in the developing of brain and eyes therefore the pregnant women and nursing mothers should ensure that they eat sufficient omega-3 fatty acids provided the expecting mothers contsults their Doctors before eating fish as some fish contain mercury in good quantity which may affect adversy to the health of their babies.

3. It is also said that eating fish can bring down risk of old age complications, specially neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer. Eating fish may also slow down the cognitive decline as the researches have shown that people eating regular fish have more grey mater in the centre of their brains that regulate the emotions and memories. People who want to prevent and treat depression may also consume fish to make them happier and get rid of the serious depression, low mood, sadness, bipolar disorder, decreased engery and loss of interest in life and other activities. 

4. Fish is considered for good source of vitamin D which is an important substance for our health now a days because lack of vitamin D due to modern life style has made our lives miserable not only in old age but also in young age. We can suppliment vitamin D by consuming fish or fish products to prevent such health complications, if we are not able to suppliment it by taking through the Sun. However, the people suffering from type-2 diabetes and hypertension should eat fish without frying in oil. They can eat fish cooked without oil.

For buying fish pickle please click on the link below: 

https://www.amazon.in/Keya-Mangalore-Fish-Pickle-270g/dp/B01GCECS98/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1553158969&sr=1-4&keywords=fish+pickle
5. Eating fish can also reduce the risk of Asthma which is an increasing health problem in wholeover the world now a days, due to change in our food intake habits. Research was conducted among 600 people in Africa who worked in a fish processing unit and it has been established by the study that the people who eat N-3 oil which is found in fish have 62% lower chance of Asthma.  Whereas most people use edible oils mostly to cook food which is N-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid. Such edible oil is also found in fast foods. 

6. It is a common belief in people in India that eating fish increases the eye vision. It is true becasue it provide protection against a disease called macular degeneration affecting vision imairment and bindness in old age people.

7. Eating fish can also prevent the auto immune disease which occures when the immune system in our body mistakenly attacks and distroys healthy body tissues. Example of this disease is type 1 diabetes which attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Therefore, it is necessary to include fish as our regular food item. Some people believe that eating fish can also reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. 

Thus, it is wise to go with the well proved notions to keep ourself happy and healthy throughout our life.

K.B.