Inflammation is part of the body’s complex biological immune response to illness, infections, and wounds. Up to a point, inflammation is normal and even desirable.

But chronic inflammation can lead to joint pain, digestive issues, and other long-term health problems.

When the gut becomes inflamed, you’ll typically experience symptoms of gas and bloating.

Meanwhile, inflammation of the brain’s neurons doesn’t necessarily cause pain, but instead reduces nerve conduction. This reduced nerve conduction results in slowed nerve transmission, or what’s commonly known as brain fog.

Ultimately, increased inflammation leads to decreased athletic performance — both physically and mentally.

A study of almost 1,000 competitive athletes in Australia found that a majority avoided foods containing gluten because they thought that they were allergic or overly sensitive to it.

Of those study participants, only 13 percent had received a formal medical diagnosis of celiac disease or other gluten-related disorders.

So why did so many athletes go gluten-free?

Participants told researchers that they believed that a gluten-free diet would reduce their digestive problems. In fact, as many as 90 percent of athletes reported experiencing occasional bloating, cramps, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms during or immediately after exercise.
 

For more information about Dr. Silverman, please visit www.drrobertsilverman.com.