If you have Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hashimoto’s, Multiple Sclerosis or any other autoimmune disease, you may want to reconsider reaching for that bread bowl. When it comes to gluten and autoimmune conditions they go together more like oil and water. Gluten can intensify systemic inflammation, so when it comes to autoimmune conditions, gluten is kind of the enemy.

Gluten, which is a protein naturally found in certain grains, is now found in pretty much everything these days. Not only is gluten found in flour based pasta and breads but they can also be found as filler for medications and supplement. Gluten which seems to be found everywhere these days has actually changed over the years. Science has actually modified gluten making strains that no longer resemble the plant origin. This is why gluten now is more inflammatory than the gluten your grandparents used to have. By modifying the strain, science is able to make the gluten more fluffy creating better breads, well at least more visually appealing when really that fluffy bread is actually causing you more inflammation and making people with autoimmune conditions flare. So next time you grab anything to eat, read the label and when possible stay away from gluten!