Gluten-Free Diet
Overview
A gluten-free diet is a diet that avoids gluten, a type of protein. Gluten is found in many grains. It is also added to processed foods.
It is recommended that children and adults with celiac disease avoid gluten completely. In these people, gluten damages the intestines and can severely worsen overall health. Other people might also need or want to reduce gluten intake or avoid it altogether.
People commonly use a gluten-free diet for celiac disease or gluten sensitivity not related to celiac disease. It is also used for autism, diabetes, a long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
It is recommended that children and adults with celiac disease avoid gluten completely. In these people, gluten damages the intestines and can severely worsen overall health. Other people might also need or want to reduce gluten intake or avoid it altogether.
People commonly use a gluten-free diet for celiac disease or gluten sensitivity not related to celiac disease. It is also used for autism, diabetes, a long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. Except for any possible exceptions written into your License Agreement, no reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. Unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
For the latest comprehensive data on this and every other natural medicine, health professionals should consult the Professional Version of NatMed. It is fully referenced and updated daily.
© Copyright 1995-2019. Therapeutic Research Center LLC, publishers of NatMed, Prescriber's Letter, and Pharmacist's Letter. All rights reserved.
All material on this website is protected by copyright. Copyright © LearnHealth Inc. 2026.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
SUBSCRIBE
To Get Posts Directly In Your Inbox!