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Mercy internist Dr. Jonathan Rich

Mercy's Dr. Jonathan Rich And Kelly O'Connor, RD/LD, Discuss Benefits Of A Gluten-Free Diet On WBAL-TV11's "Woman's Doctor"

Gluten-free diets and products seem to be trendy at the moment, but removing gluten from your diet isn't always better for you, according to health experts.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. People with celiac disease, an auto immune disorder triggered by gluten, must find food items without it.

According to Mercy internist Dr. Jonathan Rich, gluten is in many things that people enjoy every day.

"Immediately, we think of bread and cereal. It can be in sauces, pizza dough, cookies -- you name it. The list is very, very long," he said.

The list can make a gluten-free diet difficult to follow, but Mercy registered dietitian Kelly O'Connor said it does have some advantages.

"If you follow a gluten-free diet, you have eliminated lots of processed, refined foods and starches, and you are more limited to fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh meat, chicken and fish," she said.

Yogurt should also be gluten-free.

While those things are healthy, the diet isn't necessarily better for you.

"A gluten-free diet does not necessarily mean a healthy diet. There are plenty of things that don't have gluten but aren't necessarily healthy for you," Dr. Rich said.

However, there are health claims for going gluten-free.

"Some of them are weight loss, and there are claims to improve skin and have more energy, which it may do, but you still have to work on a balanced diet, portion control and exercise, like any other type of eating," Dr. Rich added.

To view WBAL’s interviews with Dr. Rich and Ms. O’Connor online, visit this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/28729796/detail.html