When to introduce gluten in the baby's diet

Celiac disease is an immune reaction manifested through gastrointestinal symptoms . These symptoms are produced by the presence in the diet of gluten or similar proteins that affect the villi of the small intestine, preventing the absorption of some micronutrients. It is a fairly common disorder and

Celiac disease is an immune reaction manifested through gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms are produced by the presence in the diet of gluten or similar proteins that affect the villi of the small intestine, preventing the absorption of some micronutrients.

It is a fairly common disorder and seems to have, interestingly, a higher prevalence in women. With the improvement of diagnostic methods has been established early diagnosis, especially in cases that develops in childhood, it is more complicated to diagnose when symptoms appear in adulthood, since the symptoms are very varied, even individually, and can be confused with other diseases.

When gluten is introduced into the baby's diet

The treatment of celiac disease is based on eliminating gluten from the diet of the patient in its entirety de, thus allowing the intestinal villi to recover and the symptoms of the gluten to disappear. disease. The gluten-free diet must be followed for life. In some cases, some vitamin supplements may be necessary at the beginning, if when celiac disease has been diagnosed there are alreadysymptoms of deficiencies of some micronutrient, but obviously the doctor will recommend them or not. The recommendations on the age in which to introduce gluten in the baby's diet have been changing over the years, and the difference between the introduction of gluten in babies fed with breastfeeding or artificial has become clear. The main reason is that relatively recent studies have shown that

feeding practices during childhood, and more specifically during breastfeeding, can tip the balance and modify the risk of celiac disease .Years ago, the introduction of gluten was not even something to consider, later

began to be recommended for its gradual introduction after 6 months of age , and not so long ago, pediatricians were inclined to its introduction, not before of 4 months and not after 7 months, incorporating it in very small quantities while the child continued to be fed with breast milk for at least the first month after the introduction.It seems that the most recent studies conclude that there is no benefit in the early introduction of gluten and that it can also harm the development of lactation, and that

neither continue breastfeeding influences the protection against celiac disease . The only thing that seems to be confirmed is that the late introduction, over 7 months, increases the risk of suffering from this disease.Waiting for more studies, given that, given the relevance of celiac disease in developed countries, there are many that are carried out every year, it seems that where there is more consensus is

the introduction of gluten around the 6 months and no later than 7 and in a slow and gradual manner. And of course, breastfeeding is the best food for the baby during at least the first 6 months of life, so, protect or not against celiac disease, it will always be beneficial to maintain it the longer the better.