Gluten is not connected directly to diabetes. But it IS connected to some forms of autoimmune disease. Some autoimmune disease attacks the pancreas, so in that sense eventually some become diabetic. But not all by any means.

Gluten intolerance is also connected to thyroid disease. And epilepsy and many other problems.

This has more information:
https://sites.google.com/site/jccglutenfree/

Hi Mrs. D., I did not realize gluten intolerance is connected to thyroid disease. That is very interesting since I have hypothyroidism.
hopeful

Wheat, the way you imagine it, and the way it is portrayed in advertising, does not exist any longer. It has all been hybridized for ease of harvest, and it is undigestible. Do you realize that modern wheat plants are as tall as your knee?
It is true that many of us with PN have sensitivity to the gluten. But that's not the only problem. Gliadin, a wheat protein, penetrates tissue; so that your gut is leaking toxins directly into your bloodstream. It also breeches the blood/brain barrier. What problems can that create? Name a target organ; pancreas, liver, kidneys, skin, and of course, brain and nerves.
I know that some of us are affected more than others. But I really believe wheat is a toxic substance, and just because you think you can tolerate it, you are still better off without it.
I am no longer pre-diabetic, and my wife no longer has arthritis or migraines. I have a friend who went gluten-free, and totally reversed a seriously deteriorating case of type 2 Diabetes; after one year, he no longer needs insulin.

There are increasing numbers of studies linking gluten with everything from autism to diabetes, MS to obesity. I realize that it's not the only cause of neuropathy, but it will never help, and is always a suspect; either as the primary cause, or just something that makes it harder to heal. It's just not a good thing to live with. Going gluten-free is terribly inconvenient; but I'd never go back.

There are many good books; my favorite is "Wheat Belly," by William Davis.

My doctor likes the book "Wheat Belly." I didn't get it since I do not eat gluten.

Got to read that book soon. It won't be hard for me to avoid wheat as per say -gluten, I'm not so sure about as I'm sure it's added in a lot of products. But avoiding things like wheat bread and shredded wheat cereal would be easy to say the least.

Does anybody know if oatmeal is gluten based or wheat based? I eat a lot of oatmeal -I wouldn't want to be eating the wrong thing. Oats are totally different than wheat, right?

Funny thing: I was getting Glucose and Gluten mixed up I think. LOL

What's really ironic about that is that 2 pieces of whole wheat toast have a higher glycemic index than 2 spoons of table sugar.
You are absolutely right about how hard it is to avoid gluten; it is used as a cheap thickener in many, many products. After 3 months of cutting gluten out of my diet, I found that the second ingredient in my shampoo was wheat protein. So I avoided eating it, but rubbed it into my scalp with hot water every morning!
Oats are non-glutenous. For people with real sensitivity, it is important to purchase oats from a facility that processes them separately from glutenous grains. Some brands specify "gluten-free," which means they are meticulous about avoiding cross-contamination.
Dr. Davis' book is about $15 from Amazon.com, and it's helpful. You can also go on his web site: http://www.wheatbellyblog.com for more support.
Good luck.

Believe me I am listening to this information about wheat and glutton. My last endoscopy about 6 week ago, showed some weird stuff, my throat is swollen, and all tests came back. They wanted to do a glutton test, but insurance won't cover it, and it is very expensive. I have Barretts, and hernia as well, so I have cut back on glutton and wheat. Unfortunately, few products are available in the Walmart stores, or local supermarket where food stamps are allowed. No health food stores allow food stamps, and I am limited to what I can afford with coupons and aid. Agee is a product my doctor wanted me to use as well, and several hundred in suppliments per month. Also she recommended getting off all milk and dairy products. what is left is fresh. Two of us are living on my aid with food, and this is not possible to eat that way with what I receive. Any Ideas? To top it off, I have asthma, and the insurance company I have won't cover singular, or the inhailer I need. Those cost more than what I receive in a month. So I am coughing and struggling to breathe alot. Not doing that great with these additional issues. thank you, ginnie

I think it is because 2 slices of bread are more calories than
2 spoonfuls of sugar. More calories increases amount of glucose potential. The carbs in bread are converted to glucose when digested.

sugar:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_c...spoon_of_sugar

whole wheat bread--
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_c...le_wheat_bread

You can test Celiac, but not just a sensitivity so I just stopped eating Gluten. It is not hard after you learn what to look for.

I need to ask what kind of store you shop at to go glutten free. Thank you. ginnie