Content Library Articles Dr. Hyman Discusses Gluten on the Dr. Oz Show

Dr. Hyman Discusses Gluten on the Dr. Oz Show

March 24, 2011

IS GLUTEN THE DIETARY DEMON many today think it is? If you eat cheeseburgers or French fries all the time or drink six sodas a day, you likely know you are shortening your life. But eating a nice dark, crunchy slice of whole wheat bread–how could that be bad for you? Well, bread contains gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut, and oats. It is hidden in pizza, pasta, bread, wraps, rolls, and most processed foods. Clearly, gluten is a staple of the American diet. What most people don’t know is that gluten can cause serious health complications for many. You may be at risk even if you don’t have full blown celiac disease.

In my most recent appearance on the Dr. Oz Show I explained why gluten is a problem for up to 20 million Americans, even though 99 percent of those affected don't realize it. Interested in learning more about gluten, its effects, why so many are sensitive, and how to determine if you have a problem? Check out my interview with Dr. Oz and then use the resources below for further study.

The Dangers of Gluten

A recent large study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people with diagnosed, undiagnosed, and “latent” celiac disease or gluten sensitivity had a higher risk of death, mostly from heart disease and cancer.

This study looked at almost 30,000 patients from 1969 to 2008 and examined deaths in three groups: Those with full-blown celiac disease, those with inflammation of their intestine but not full-blown celiac disease, and those with latent celiac disease or gluten sensitivity (elevated gluten antibodies but negative intestinal biopsy). To get the full story and learn about the results of this study,