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  • annex naturopathic logo color
  • About
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  • Services
    • Naturopathic Consultation
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Is Gluten Bad? | Annex-Naturopathic-Clinic-Toronto-Naturopathic-Doctor-in-the-Annex-July03-01

Does Gluten Deserve its Bad Reputation?

By:
Marnie Luck, ND
Last Updated: March 27, 2025
Article contents

At our naturopathic clinic in Toronto, in recent years especially, our naturopathic doctors are being asked about gluten more regularly.

“Is it good for me?”

“Is it bad for me?”

The infamous protein explained.

Gluten-free is definitely fashionable- but is it functional? Many people are opting to eliminate gluten from their diets- often with no diagnosis of celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Unfortunately, “gluten-free” is not synonymous with “healthy”.

Many gluten-free products are high in sugar, preservatives and unlike wheat flour, they are not fortified with vitamins and minerals.

Nonetheless, many people feel better when they take gluten out of their diet.

What is gluten?

Gluten is substance found in the endosperm of wheat, rye and barley grains. It is comprised of the proteins “Gliadin” and “Glutenin”.

Grains, and how we consume them, differs from that of our ancestral history.

Today grains make up a major part of our diet- remember the food group pyramid you learned in school- where the foundation was grains?

Well, that food pyramid is not something we share in common with our early human ancestors who ate almost no grains at all. The domestication of wheat happened about 10,000 years ago.

In more recent history, composition of wheat has changed due to hybridization of strains which has increased wheat’s gluten content dramatically.

Gluten Sensitivity | Annex-Naturopathic-Clinic-Toronto-Naturopathic-Doctor-in-the-Annex-July03-01

What is it about gluten containing grains that irritates our gut?

Gluten can increase “zonulin”, a protein in the gastrointestinal tract that can cause leaky gut. Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, occurs when the tight junctions (the connection) between intestinal cells open up, allowing larger molecules that shouldn’t cross the intestinal barrier, to go into the blood stream causing inflammation.

It may not be the gluten alone, but the herbicides used in conventional farming are likely contributing to intestinal imbalances.

Glyphosate is a commonly used herbicide used in grain farming. If a substance can kills weeds and bugs- think about what it could do to the microflora in our gut (our healthy bacteria).

Glyphosate is known to kill beneficial bacteria and decrease the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals.

We do not definitively know the reason for the rising prevalence of gluten sensitivity.

It may be that a combination of increased wheat consumption, increased gluten content of wheat, and rising glyphosate residues in conventional grain products are contributing to dysbiosis, intestinal inflammation, and ultimately gluten intolerance.

What should you do?

Recommendations, in terms of complete gluten elimination, need to be made on an individual basis via comprehensive assessment by a qualified healthcare provider.

However, here are some recommendations that will benefit most individuals:

  • Reduce consumption of grains so that your diet favours protein and vegetables.
  • Eat organic and ancient varieties of wheat (einkorn or emmer) which would reduce pesticide residues and gluten content.

See a naturopathic doctor to assess if you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity in order to have a comprehensive plan that allows for optimal nutrition and overall health.

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Marnie Luck, N.D
Annex Naturopathic Clinic
572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1
–https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62


Marnie Luck
Written By:
Marnie Luck

Dr. Marnie Luck, ND, possesses an academic background from McGill University and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. With distinctive certifications in pelvic floor therapy and menopause management, she combines her expertise to provide comprehensive naturopathic care.

Our Editorial Process

Annex Naturopathic Clinic is committed to creating high quality and medically reviewed content to help educate readers on subjects related to their health and wellness. Here is how we achieve this goal:

Writing: Our content is meticulously researched and written by our practitioners who source details from highly-respected databases, academic journals, and scientific articles in the field of medicine and healthcare. Our practitioners also include insights from their robust clinical practices.

Editing: Each article is carefully edited by a peer reviewer (a senior practitioner) to ensure accuracy, clarity, and relevance.

Medically Verified: The article is thoroughly reviewed and verified by a registered naturopathic doctor from Annex Naturopathic Clinic to ensure the factual accuracy of medical facts, assumptions, and interpretations within the content.

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our practitioners feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic
800 Bathurst St Suite 301,
Toronto, ON M5R 3M8

–https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic Clinic is a clinic in Toronto that offers integrative healthcare solutions from experienced practitioners.

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We Can Help. Come See Us.
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