Hoover Shampooer

As more people are being diagnosed with celiac disease or discovering that they are gluten intolerant, gluten-free products are becoming mainstream. Although most people are familiar with gluten-free foods, many people are not aware that they can also buy gluten-free shampoo and other personal care products. In fact, you may not have realized that some shampoos contain gluten in the first place!

Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, rye and barley. Gluten is not easily digested by your body and can build up in your system. Gluten not only affects your digestive tract but can also act as a depressant in your system, making your brain feel foggy and sluggish.

In the past, gluten was consumed in such small amounts that it was generally not harmful, but due to the genetic engineering of our wheat supply, wheat today contains three times as much gluten as it did fifty years ago. The excess of gluten in our food today, and the prevalence of processed foods, has lead to an increased sensitivity in many people. Unfortunately, just reducing one's gluten intake after symptoms have appeared is generally not enough to reverse the damage. People diagnosed with celiac disease, an auto-immune disorder related to the consumption of gluten, must live an entirely gluten-free life or risk serious illness and relapse.

Gluten is found not only in our food but also in personal care products like shampoo. When washing one's hair, shampoo can run down into a person's mouth inadvertently or be absorbed through the skin. For a celiac, this could be incredibly dangerous. Therefore, it is important for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities to purchase gluten free shampoo and other personal care products. Some people may also have a skin allergy to gluten, so a gluten free shampoo would be essential in order to ensure their continued comfort.

Why are they using gluten in shampoo? Because gluten is a cheap filler which also works as a binding agent. Although gluten is almost never found on the label of a product under its own name, it can be disguised in hydrolyzed malt extract, cyclodextrin or stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl, among others. However, many companies are making the move away from using gluten ingredients in their shampoos and personal care products. Arbonne International, for example, makes a gluten-free shampoo.

If you think you may be experiencing adverse effects from gluten consumption, you should see your doctor for further information. They can help you discover whether gluten is actually the source of your concerns. If it is, you may want to consider switching to gluten-free shampoo and other personal care products.