"The Gluten-Free Diet and Its Relationship with Metabolic Syndrome: Dietary Friend or Foe?"

Overview

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Celiac disease (CD) is a prevalent digestive illness as well as a budding area of research in the field of gastroenterology. While investigations are underway to find new and improved pharmacological therapies for CD, the gluten-free diet (GFD) remains the only option to effectively manage the condition. RECENT FINDINGS: While the GFD is recommended for patients diagnosed with CD and other gluten-related conditions, studies show the number of individuals on the GFD surpasses the projected number of patients with these medical indications (1). The implications of widespread adoption of this dietary approach are still being determined, with many patients believing this diet will improve overall health and cardiovascular risk. This review analyzes the relationship between a GFD and metabolic syndrome in both non-celiac and celiac patients, concluding that although the diet may slightly improve overall cardiac risk factors, weight, and/or insulin resistance, its use in the absence of a gluten-related disorder is controversial.