You must be hearing about 'Gluten-Free' food all the time, right? Whether you go to the supermarket or a restaurant, we see this word. This has become a big trend now. So because of this, some people think that gluten-containing foods are not good for someone, especially someone with a medical condition like breast cancer, and that they should stay away from them completely. But is this story true? How does gluten really affect our health? Let's talk about this precisely and simply.
First of all, what is gluten?
Simply put,
gluten is a type of protein . It is mainly found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten is found in many of the foods we eat every day. Think about it, gluten is commonly found in things like bread, pasta, noodles, cakes, and biscuits. Not only that, but gluten can also be found in some sauces, salad dressings, and soups. But for some people, gluten is not good for the body. That is, when they eat foods containing gluten, their body's immune system reacts against it and causes
inflammation in the body.
What is the relationship between inflammation in the body and cancer?
Inflammation isn't always a bad thing. Think about it, when you cut your hand, the area becomes red, a little swollen, and feels warm, right? That's the body's defense system's way of healing a wound, fighting germs, etc. This is a good thing.
However, if this inflammation is not short-term, but persists in the body for a long time, that is , chronically , it is not beneficial to our health. It is as if our body is constantly on high alert.
This type of chronic inflammation can damage the tissues and organs of our body. It is linked to a variety of diseases, including cancer. Here's how:
- This chronic inflammation can damage the DNA in our cells. This DNA damage is a primary cause of cancer cells .
- Also, this inflammation releases substances that accelerate the formation of new blood vessels , which are necessary for cancer cells to grow.
But the most important thing we need to understand here is
that the strongest link between breast cancer and this chronic inflammation is overweight/obesity, rather than gluten.When body weight increases, that is, when fat is deposited unnecessarily, it causes chronic inflammation in the body. This has now been clearly proven to be a major factor in increasing the risk of breast cancer.
So, do people with breast cancer have to eliminate gluten?
Here's the problem for many people. Some people have a condition called
"Celiac Disease." This is a problem with the immune system. When someone with this disease eats food containing gluten, their body sees gluten as a dangerous invader. So the immune system starts attacking their own small intestine. This causes excessive inflammation and damage. Because of this, over time, the risk of certain types of intestinal cancer may increase. Also, some people may have a sensitivity to gluten (Gluten Intolerance).
However, unless you have celiac disease or a doctor-diagnosed gluten sensitivity, there is no medical reason to eliminate gluten from your diet just because you have breast cancer. Let's explain this further in the table below.
| Your situation | Should you eat foods containing gluten? |
|---|
| If you have Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance | No. Gluten should be completely stopped under the advice of your doctor. |
| If you only have breast cancer (and no other gluten-related problems) | Yes, no problem. But choose healthy foods containing whole grains instead of refined foods . |
In fact, some gluten-containing foods may even help reduce your risk of cancer. Whole-grain foods like wheat, barley, and bran-fortified breads and pastas help fight inflammation in the body.
Is everything labeled "Gluten-Free" good?
Here's a very important point. Just because a food is labeled "Gluten-Free" on a package doesn't mean it's healthy.
Most of the time, 'Gluten-Free' products on the market are made from highly processed, low -fiber ingredients . For example, things like white rice flour and cassava flour. These also have low nutritional value.
Remember,
the main problem is not gluten, but highly processed, sugary and oily foods, low in fiber. These foods, whether they are 'Gluten-Free' or not, can lead to weight gain and chronic inflammation. Therefore, it is very important to stay away from things like white bread, sweet cakes, and pastries. If you are following a gluten-free diet for some reason, read labels carefully and choose products that contain
whole grains . For example, it is best to choose foods made from brown rice, buckwheat, quinoa, etc.
What are the other best foods that reduce inflammation?
Try adding these things to your diet. They help reduce inflammation in the body and keep cells healthy.
- Fruits and vegetables: avocados, oranges, onions, garlic, beans.
- Good oils: Olive oil.
- Foods rich in Omega-3: Oily fish like salmon, tuna, walnuts.
Take-Home Message
- There is no medical reason to stop eating gluten just because you have breast cancer (unless you have Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity).
- Just because a food is labeled "Gluten-Free" doesn't mean it's healthy. They can often be highly processed and low in fiber.
- The biggest link between cancer risk and diet is maintaining a healthy body weight.
- Rather than eliminating gluten, your focus should be on eating a balanced, nutritious diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains , and lean proteins (such as fish and beans).
- Avoid highly processed foods, sugary drinks, and refined grains (e.g., white bread, bread flour) as much as possible.
- It is very important to talk to your doctor before making any major changes to your diet.
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