96: Should You Go Gluten Free To Improve Energy?

Is gluten harmful? If you’re dealing with low energy daily, this episode is a must-listen. One of the reasons to go gluten-free is actually to support energy levels. In this episode, we’re talking about gluten and whether or not following a gluten-free diet plan can improve energy levels. 

What exactly is gluten? Gluten is a protein found in wheat, including wheat varieties like spelt, kamut, farro, durum, bulgar, semolina, barley, rue, triticale, and some oats. Beyond what you classically think of as gluten and wheat, gluten is also found in sauces, condiments (hello, soy sauce!), and alcoholic beverages like beer. It can also be found in products that are contaminated with gluten like tree nuts made in a gluten-processing facility. 

Gluten can trigger an immune response or inflammation in the body and lead to weight gain, digestive issues, autoimmune disorders, mood swings, neurological issues, breakouts, rashes, and more. Dr. Mark Hyman says that whenever he has a patient experiencing chronic disease, psychiatric problems, or neurological disease, he advises them to eliminate gluten from their diet. 

A myth is going around that says you need to be celiac to benefit from a gluten-free diet plan. Here’s the thing, gluten today is not the same as gluten back in the day. For a lot of people, gluten doesn’t align with them—especially in the states. You’ll hear of people who go to Italy and eat gluten there, and it doesn’t affect them because the gluten is made differently there! 

Studies show that a gluten-free diet can improve digestion and energy levels. Dr. Alexandra Johnstone at the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health said, “It was interesting to discover that a gluten-free diet improves feelings of fatigue, with participants reporting much higher energy levels during the gluten-free period of the study…they were able to start tasks quicker, concentrate better and think clearer during this time, and felt the need to rest less, all point towards the idea that sensitivity to gluten does exist for some individuals who don’t have celiac disease.”

How Gluten Impact Your Energy:

• Can trigger symptoms related to food sensitivity, primarily being fatigued 
• Sow digestion, makes you feel more sluggish and dysregulates bowel movements 
• Gluten is toxic to mitochondria, which are essential for energy, vitality, focus, and metabolism. Healthy mitochondria leads to great health and high energy. 
• Gluten can create nutrient deficiencies that deplete energy 
  • Major disruption to gut microbiome has an impact on energy levels 
  • Nutrient deficiencies are created in the gut 
  • Vitamin D, chromium, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, CoQ10, and more
• Gluten can disrupt hormones that are responsible for energy 
  • Can act as an endocrine disruptor 

We hope this episode is helpful for you on your journey to higher, natural energy! If you’re struggling with energy or hormonal imbalances, try eliminating gluten for at least 2-4 weeks. 

Sources 

1. https://www.glnc.org.au/grains/allergies-intolerances/gluten-in-grains/ 
2. https://elevays.com/gluten-free/
3. https://www.glutenfreesociety.org/diabetes-and-a-gluten-free-diet/
4. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3339328/Could-going-gluten-free-boost-brain-power-Landmark-study-reveals-diet-reduces-fatigue-increases-energy-levels.html 
5. https://www.amymyersmd.com/article/gut-infection-chronic-fatigue/ 
6. https://www.glutenfreesociety.org/what-causes-leaky-gut-going-beyond-gluten/ 
7. https://drjockers.com/gluten-bad/ 
8. https://experiencelife.lifetime.life/article/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-mitochondria/
9. https://elevays.com/gluten-free/