What is gluten and why go gluten free?

WHAT IS GLUTEN?
Gluten is the protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats.  While some oats are labeled "gluten free," there is debate about whether oats are contaminated in the harvesting and manufacturing process.  Oats are tricky - many different varieties of gluten free oats are on the market, but I have found that even "gluten free" oats cause a reaction for me.  For this reason, I stay away from oats as well.  

WHY GO GLUTEN FREE?
People choose a gluten free lifestyle for a variety of reasons.  

CELIAC DISEASE
Some people suffer from celiac disease, a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and prevents absorption of nutrients from food.  When someone with celiac disease ingests gluten, her digestive system essentially starts attacking itself by destroying villi, the fingerlike "feelers" in the small intestine that allow nutrients to be absorbed into the bloodstream.  This results in malnutrition as well as a variety of digestive issues including cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and weight loss.  Sometimes, however, these symptoms may not even arise, which makes for a difficult diagnose.  Other seemingly non-related symptoms range from chronic headaches, fatigue, joint pain, depression, infertility and menstrual problems. Celiac disease is becoming increasingly common, but is often difficult to get a positive diagnose.

GLUTEN INTOLERANCE
Other people, like myself, do not have celiac disease but still cannot tolerate gluten.  Like a lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance ranges in severity.  Some can tolerate a little gluten, others none at all.  Symptoms are much the same as those associated with celiac disease, but less is known about the level of damage that is incurred on your body when you eat gluten.

AUTISM
Research has shown that children with Autism Spectrum disorders sometimes benefit from going on a gluten free diet.  Some parents report that when remove gluten from their children's diet, their symptoms are reduced, but this seems to vary from child to child.

HEALTH FADS & WEIGHT LOSS
Some people choose to go on a gluten free diet simply because they believe it to be more healthy.  While it is true that you can benefit from reducing the amount of white flour you eat, I would not personally recommend the gluten free diet unless a doctor tells you to.  When you eliminate wheat, barley, oats, and rye from your diet, you are cutting out a significant amount of nutrients.  Those on gluten free diets are often have low levels of B vitamins, calcium, vitamin D, iron, zinc, magnesium, and fiber.