Gluten: Our Newest Threat

[sosolo]

Okay, so what is up with sudden obsession with gluten? I bought mayonnaise the other day, and the label said "Gluten Free". Well duh, it's MAYONNAISE.

People have been eating gluten since we started eating grain. I doubt that all these people have Celiac disease. I think it's just "middle class" Americans who are bored and need something mundane to freak out about.

--sosolo

[BIXX]

Well, my mom actually has it. But you're right for the most part- except I would say it's hipsters, not just the middle class. I've known people who say they can't have gluten from a whole bunch of backgrounds who obviously can because I have seen them eat gluten after they've made that claim.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing that they fake it- it gives people who actually can't way more options.

One final thing: a lot if grains don't have gluten (quinoa, polenta, and I believe millet are examples of such). But even without the gluten, I believe humans aren't very well adapted (for the most part) to eat grains- of course we can, but we probably shouldn't if possible.

[Prometeo liberado]

Gluten is the new Lactose. Most, if not all cheese has no lactose but that didn't stop the hysteria then. As for gluten even the nurses where I work are all suddenly allergic to gluten now. Unless of course I don't have gluten free bread and then it's a free for all. 80% bullshit.

P.S. I have also overheard people speak of it as if it were related to diet or weight gain issues. Amazing.

[Devrim]

I've known people who say they can't have gluten from a whole bunch of backgrounds who obviously can because I have seen them eat gluten after they've made that claim.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing that they fake it- it gives people who actually can't way more options.

I used to share a flat with somebody who had a very strong allergy to gluten. I remember once that she had accidentally eaten something with it in, and she collapsed, and I had to literally carry her to the local polyclinic. I can't imagine why anybody would fake it. It must be a really difficult thing to live with if you had a severe allergy to it.


But even without the gluten, I believe humans aren't very well adapted (for the most part) to eat grains- of course we can, but we probably shouldn't if possible.

Without them we wouldn't have had an agricultural revolution.

Devrim

[RedAnarchist]

Here in the UK, supermarkets often have a large part of an aisle dedicated to gluten-free foods. I've tried some before, but I've neither no need to avoid gluten nor am I one of the fakers whose lives are so boring that they need to pretend they have what can be a serious health issue.

It's a bit like the aspartame "controversy" - the only people who really need to avoid aspartame are those with PKU, and that's because aspartame contains phenylalanine. For the vast majority, aspartame would only have adverse health effects if you were swigging back gallons of Diet Coke every day for a long time. As with gluten, those who actually need to avoid it are a small minority.

[BIXX]

I used to share a flat with somebody who had a very strong allergy to gluten. I remember once that she had accidentally eaten something with it in, and she collapsed, and I had to literally carry her to the local polyclinic. I can't imagine why anybody would fake it. It must be a really difficult thing to live with if you had a severe allergy to it.

It is very difficult- my mom (who has celiac- I don't know if this is what you meant by allergy. There are many different type of gluten intolerances.) doesn't collapse, but she gets really ill, often for several days.

She says that in a way she's glad people faked it because then she has more options in regards to what she can eat cause otherwise companies would have made less gluten free foods.


Without them we wouldn't have had an agricultural revolution.


No contest. But that also isn't necessarily a good thing either IMO (coming from an anti-civ standpoint).

Again, I just don't think humans are very well adapted to eat grains.

[Brandon's Impotent Rage]

I compare it somewhat to the (formerly) popular aversion to MSG. Like gluten, there are a small number of people who are sensitive to it. They're a tiny group, barely a blip on the radar, but obviously their needs should be considered.

But people took this small (but real) problem and then proceeded to blow it up way out of proportion. Suddenly MSG was deadly poison that would be the downfall of civilization, instead of a flavor enhancer that comes from a natural source (seaweed). With gluten it appears to be the same thing.

In the near future, it'll be something else. The cycle must continue, because how else are those cynical assholes in the dieting industry going to get that sweet green?

[Tenka]

See my attachment.
It is a craze. Gluten allergies are very rare, and apparently the general populace are being sold gluten-free things under the false pretense that they could be afflicted.

My mother buys lots of gluten-free shit, but she doesn't have any goddamned allergy. Probably likes to believe the gluten is why she's morbidly obese.

[Landsharks eat metal]

People also think that the symptoms of autism can be lessened by eating a gluten (and casein) free diet. Not sure of the svience behind that, but it is something I've seen claimed many times.

[BIXX]

People also think that the symptoms of autism can be lessened by eating a gluten (and casein) free diet. Not sure of the svience behind that, but it is something I've seen claimed many times.


Something tells me that there is no actual science behind that.

[RedAnarchist]

Something tells me that there is no actual science behind that.

Sounds like something the anti-vaxxers dreamed up.

[BIXX]

Sounds like something the anti-vaxxers dreamed up.


That's what I was thinking.

[Sea]

See my attachment.
It is a craze. Gluten allergies are very rare, and apparently the general populace are being sold gluten-free things under the false pretense that they could be afflicted.

My mother buys lots of gluten-free shit, but she doesn't have any goddamned allergy. Probably likes to believe the gluten is why she's morbidly obese.Sulphate free, paraben free, gluten free.. But is it lead free? The world may never know....
I just don't think humans are very well adapted to eat grains.What evidence do you have to back this up? Granted we're not evolved to drop acid or have butt sex either but that doesn't make it bad. Even if we're not well adapted to eat grains, is it still bad? If we're in the clear for it not being bad, why should the former matter?

[Tenka]

I think we are pretty well adapted to eat grains considering how long we've been doing it. I love 99% of foods made from grains, also. I get the vast majority of my carbs from grain-derived sources, and I am not any more unhealthy than I otherwise would be. My stools are normal, anyway.