Ask the doctors
Image: © fcafotodigital/Getty Images
Q. I have terrible skin, and a friend recently recommended that I eliminate gluten from my diet to help manage my condition. Will this work?
A. Not necessarily. Gluten has gotten a lot of attention in recent years. Some people believe that eating gluten can inflame the skin and, therefore, cutting it out will help relieve red, inflamed skin or other skin conditions, such as psoriasis or eczema.
But in reality, cutting gluten from your diet will only help if you actually have celiac disease or a hypersensitivity to gluten. If you don't, the gluten probably isn't affecting your skin, and cutting it out of your diet won't have any effect on your skin. It's also important to keep in mind that cutting major food groups from your diet unnecessarily can leave you at risk for nutritional deficiencies and could actually lead to health problems.
So, unless you know that you have celiac disease or a gluten hypersensitivity, it's better to focus on maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, rather than eliminating gluten from your diet. If you are concerned about a particular skin condition, it might also be wise to pay a visit to a dermatologist for a professional opinion.
— by Hope Ricciotti, M.D., and Toni Golen, M.D.
Editors in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
FAQs
Some people believe that eating gluten can inflame the skin and, therefore, cutting it out will help relieve red, inflamed skin or other skin conditions, such as psoriasis or eczema. But in reality, cutting gluten from your diet will only help if you actually have celiac disease or a hypersensitivity to gluten.
Why are many doctors against a gluten-free diet? ›
Keep in mind that some processed gluten-free foods contain high amounts of unhealthy ingredients such as sodium, sugar and fat. Consuming these foods can lead to weight gain, blood sugar swings, high blood pressure and other problems. So, a gluten-free label doesn't necessarily make a food healthy.
What happens to your body when you start eating gluten-free? ›
Many people report digestive symptom improvement within a few days of dropping gluten. Fatigue and brain fog often start getting better in the first week or two. This is a gradual process, though.
How long does it take gluten-free to see results? ›
On average, people report feeling better after eating a gluten-free diet for 1 month. But this can vary from person to person. Some people feel better faster, and others need more than 1 month to see improvement.
Does eating gluten-free really make people healthier? ›
There is no compelling evidence that a gluten-free diet will improve health or prevent disease if you don't have celiac disease and can eat gluten without trouble. Of course, future research could change this.
Is gluten bad for your skin? ›
Gluten can worsen acne and breakouts. Since it can cause inflammation in the skin, it leads to more acne formation and even itchiness and redness of the skin. Dr Tekchandani said that if you have existing acne, "it can aggravate acne even more as it increases insulin levels."
What are the negatives of a gluten-free diet? ›
What are the possible negative effects of a gluten-free diet?
- You may not be getting all the nutrients you need.
- It may disrupt your gut microbiome.
- A gluten-free diet may lead to fat gain.
- You may experience gluten cross-reactivity.
- You may be increasing your intake of heavy metals.
- Your diet may not contain adequate fibre.
There is no way to “flush” gluten out of your system quickly to lessen the discomfort. Finding the best ways to reduce the symptoms in case you get glutened – and being prepared – can help minimize the fear of getting sick. It may happen, but when you are prepared, it can be less stressful.
What does a gluten belly look like? ›
FAQs about gluten intolerance symptoms
The intestines make up most of the middle and lower abdomen, so “gluten belly” will look like any other type of lower digestive tract bloating. However, if bloating seems to be a regular or constant problem, that's a possible sign that it may be due to gluten intolerance.
How long after you stop eating gluten do you feel better? ›
After you stop eating foods with gluten, your symptoms will likely get better in a few days to weeks. Your small intestine should heal completely in 3 to 6 months. In some cases, it can take longer for full healing, even though you may feel better. Your villi will be back and working again.
A gluten-free diet is also popular among people who haven't been diagnosed with a gluten-related medical condition. The claimed benefits of the diet are improved health, weight loss and increased energy, but more research is needed.
Is peanut butter gluten-free? ›
In its natural form, both peanuts and peanut butter are gluten-free. Many store-bought brands of peanut butter are also gluten-free, with gluten-containing peanut butter tending to be the exception rather than the rule.
Why everyone should stop eating gluten? ›
Gluten has also been tied to bowel diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis ( 17 ). Plus, it's been shown to alter gut bacteria and increase intestinal permeability in people with IBD and IBS ( 18 ).
Why is gluten intolerance so common now? ›
It could stem from changes in the way grains are grown or the ubiquity of gluten in today's foods. The only thing that's known for certain is the serious toll gluten takes on the lining of the small intestine in people with celiac disease.
Why is American wheat banned in Europe? ›
Fact: American wheat is covered in glyphosate.
In Europe, this practice isn't as prominent, and it's even banned or heavily restricted in some countries. Unfortunately glyphosate can disrupt or kill the bacteria in our guts disrupting our immune system and microbiome.
Why is gluten all of a sudden an issue? ›
The possible reasons behind this change may include a stressful event (examples are suffering from an injury or death of a loved one), antibiotics, and surgery. Meanwhile, other medical practitioners think our body's resistance to autoimmune diseases like coeliac disease naturally weakens over time.
