Are Gluten Free Diets Always Necessary??

          One new diet that has become a common and well received way to eat, is a gluten-free diet. Normally, a gluten-free diet is necessary to people who have been diagnosed with celiac disease. This disease is an autoimmune disorder that is triggered by gluten. This disease is likely to affect 1 in every 133 Americans.Because of this disease, people diagnosed with Celiac disease are unable to eat things such as wheat, barely, slept, and rye. 


          With so many Americans ruling out gluten from their diets, researchers wonder if it is really necessary. Research has shown that the market for gluten-free products has gone higher than expected, and has valued the market in the billions. However, with so many people now adopting the gluten-free diets, it is a question as to how many of these people really need it. Personally, I found this topic very interesting because I have a cousin that has been on a gluten-free diet for the past two years. When she decided to go gluten-free she told everyone that she had come to the conclusion that she was allergic to gluten, but had made this diagnosis without even visiting a doctor's office. Event though she claims that the diet has benefited her, when I ask what has changed since she has eliminated gluten from her diet she answers that she is less tired. I am not a registered dietitian or a physician, however, this does not sound like a legitimate affect of no gluten in a diet. 
            After reading many articles about gluten-free diets, I couldn't help to think that there are many other people that are having the same mind set as my cousin, and are adopting this diet when it is completely unnecessary to their health. Researchers have found that there is no official data on the prevalence on nonceliac on gluten sensitivity.  I am not saying that the diet is unnecessary all together. There are definitely some people that need to eliminate gluten from their foods, otherwise it could lead to fatal outcomes.