Are oats gluten free? Can they be eaten by people on the gluten free diet?
Oats are by nature gluten free and if grown and stored in a gluten free environment, it may be able to offer another gluten free product. They were considered to be unsafe in the past for gluten free dieters as normally, oats, wheat and barley are planted side by side on the farm. They are also processed in the same grain elevators and the same machine is used to mill them.
Some farms now designate a separate place to grow oats and process them with a separate machine, thus avoiding cross-contamination with wheat, and other gluten filled grains. These oats claim to be purely gluten free. Research say that a majority of gluten free dieters can tolerate it in little amounts, question remains if celiac disease patients can ingest it without damaging the body. Oats contain another protein prolamin avenin, which some people believe to have similar characterisitcs to gluten. It is therefore best for the gluten free dieter to keep it at bay first before indulging himself in it. Seeking doctor’s advice would be best.
Most studies show that a majority of patients with celiac disease could tolerate limited amounts of oats in their gluten free meals, and a few who couldn’t tolerate even just a few amounts. Clinic treatment centers still recommend oats though with the gluten free program as they can provide nutrients and fiber for someone with Celia disease.
Introduction of oats even in small amounts is to be done under doctor’s supervision and clinical check up is advised after 3 to 6 months of taking in small amounts of oats with the gluten free diet to make sure that the body is indeed still gluten free after taking in the oats.
