Athletes Going Gluten Free - Is There a Performance Benefit?

1- Athletes were not yet diagnosed, but had celiac disease.

Celiac statistics, and undiagnosed numbers, always surprise me. About 1% of people are estimated to have celiac disease. Here is the kicker-95% of those who are unknown. It is very likely that some of these athletes were walking with celiac disease and were unaware of it. Put yourself on a gluten-free diet and all sorts of magic happen. We'll talk a little bit about magic.

2- Athletes were gluten sensitive.

This is a small tin of worms. "Gluten Sensitivity" is the name of a large umbrella that covers a wide range of objects. Celiac disease falls under this umbrella. However, as we read, celiac disease as currently diagnosed refers only to damage to the small intestine, also called gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Gluten can cause damage to many other parts of the body, not just the gastrointestinal system Gluten-free neuropathy is seen as the most common. However, gluten can affect many other body systems.

A study conducted in Iceland back in 1992 showed that 25% of 200 randomly selected participants showed high levels of gliadin antibodies. The immune system is produced when the body attacks the offensive invader — in this case, gliadin, a component of the gluten-free protein. Fourteen of these 48 people also have gluten-sensitive enteropathy, or what is commonly called celiac disease — gluten sensitivity of the gut. 25% are too many people to show the type of gluten intolerance. I’ve heard different numbers and figures thrown around for gluten sensitivity, even up to 70%. This is difficult to emphasize. Interestingly, a study published in Gut magazine in 2007 showed all NON-CELIAC participants in a study showing an antibody response when a gliadin challenge. All of them. Not some, all.

And that brings us to ...

3- Eliminating gluten can have positive effects on all.

I will state this by saying that more research needs to be done before the wheat farmers' organization comes to sue me. It is possible that wheat gliadin can cause intestinal invasion and immune response. Also, this infiltration of water can cause further damage to other parts of the body, including the nervous system. And given the research mentioned above, this may apply to everyone, not just those with acquired / undiagnosed celiac disease or gluten intolerance. There seems to be a great deal of tolerance to these wheat proteins — from the unintended side effects to celiac disease and related autoimmune disorders.

4- Improved absorption of nutrients around!

If these athletes had severe gluten intolerance before it was diagnosed, then it is clear that by eliminating gluten they were able to absorb more nutrients. More nutrition = feeling better = working better. If it was gluten-free neuropathy, they could think better. Better thinking = improved performance.

OK, enough science. Are you asleep yet?

Here are the reasons for the little technology that these athletes are likely to improve their performance.

1- Removing gluten meant eliminating large amounts of processed foods.

Let's be honest. Except for hidden gluten, eating gluten-free foods does not have to be complicated. Although I thank the producers for giving us gluten-free options for processed foods — there are just junk-free foods that are gluten-free. Gluten-free garbage is still garbage. Natural gluten-free foods are naturally simple, inexpensive, and highly nutritious. Stick to the perimeter of the grocery store, store your food especially fruits, vegetables, meat/fish, beans, nuts, eggs, potatoes, and rice. Easy peasy. And they are naturally much more nutritious than eating gluten-free processed foods or not. Extra nutrition = extra fuel in the muscles and brain = high performance.

2- Gluten-free foods make them more aware of overall food quality.

Sometimes as athletes we just look at food as fuel. And that is not a bad thing at all. But, we do better with high-quality fuel. Like a very efficient car. Add in crap fuel, get crappy acceleration, and knock. With more attention to gluten-free foods, more attention can be given to high-quality foods. That's why I feel so strongly that celiac disease is a "hidden blessing." Build a reminder to eat well, if we choose to see you that way. Athletes in the Garmin team certainly get a high-quality diet. These boys make a living by playing, and their livelihood depends on them doing well.

So yes, it could be quite beneficial for non-celiac athletes who eat gluten. Like

all in all, however, it depends on what you eat and how much - not just that it is gluten-free.

It will be interesting to see the media on the Radio Shack team riding a bike and gluten-free food as the Tour de France approaches. Lance's return to the biggest bike race to make sure he gets the installation tone.

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