My views on the prevalence of GI have changed over time. I tried GF a few times and was hoping to test positive for GI instead of having IBS. Then over the next few years I started to think it was becoming too common to be legit in all cases. Then when you hear people saying GF is something healthy everyone should do, without having any facts, and then reading how erroneous that common view is in credible sources, it made me think many were GF who didn't need to and it was the new hot thing. Then I have read some info lately about testing the blood of some vials from soldiers in WWII recently for GI. Very few had it but the same cross section today will have many more positive tests. So now I am starting to believe that the uber-prevalence of GI today is in most cases legit and due to changes in our food supply and how we grow our grains. Many people are still advising GF just for a diet or a cleanse or whatever, and while there is nothing wrong with that, it isn't wise to think it will help just anybody. So in summary, my view on it now is that it is more prevalent than ever and for medical/nutritional reasons, but that people need to be smart and not get wrapped up in the fad of GF or take advice from those who don't have their facts straight. A lot of people don't even know what gluten is and think it is a bad additive or something and they'll be like 'I eat these bars; they are gluten free' and then they eat pasta or bread. Obviously people in the medical field know what gluten is but it is still really important to make your own decisions and do your own research when dealing with any health professional IMO.
-------------------- IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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I think it is both
