Should You Avoid Gluten?

Gluten is a type of protein found in grains, such as wheat, barley and rye, that is responsible for giving food it’s elasticity and providing a chewy texture. It is also often added to other foods to modify the stability and structure of products, such as salad dressings, condiments and deli meats.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease — often triggered by an allergy to gluten. For people who have been diagnosed with celiac disease, following a gluten-free or gluten sensitivity diet is considered “medical nutrition therapy” and is the only definitive way to improve symptoms and prevent future health problems. Celiac disease is a serious condition in which the immune system attacks the small intestine in response to eating gluten. If left untreated, celiac disease can result in many adverse side effects, including digestive issues, nutritional deficiencies, weight loss and tiredness. If you suspect you have celiac disease, speak with your doctor about getting tested. For those with celiac disease, following a gluten-free diet can help manage and reduce these symptoms.

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity

If you have been suffering from symptoms that seem related to gluten, it may be possible that you have non-celiac gluten sensitivity (‘gluten sensitivity’). Gluten sensitivity is a disorder where one cannot tolerate gluten and experience symptoms similar to those with celiac disease yet lack the same antibodies and intestinal damage as seen in celiac disease.

Here are the 14 main signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance.

1)Bloating is one of the most common symptoms of gluten intolerance. It involves the belly feeling swollen after eating.

2) Gluten-intolerant people commonly experience diarrhea or constipation. Celiac disease patients may also experience pale and foul-smelling feces.

3) Abdominal pain is the most common symptom of gluten intolerance, experienced by up to 83% of gluten-intolerant individuals.

4) Gluten-intolerant individuals seem to be more prone to migraines than healthy people.

5) Feeling extremely tired is another common symptom, affecting about 60–82% of gluten-intolerant individuals.

6) Dermatitis herpetiformis is the skin manifestation of celiac disease. Several other skin diseases may also improve with a gluten-free diet.

7) Depression is more common among individuals with gluten intolerance.

8) Unexpected weight loss may be a sign of celiac disease, especially if coupled with other digestive symptoms.

9) Celiac disease may cause poor absorption of iron from your diet, causing iron-deficiency anemia.

10) Gluten-intolerant individuals seem to be more prone to anxiety than healthy individuals.

11) Individuals with autoimmune diseases like celiac disease are more likely to get other autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disorders.

12) Gluten-intolerant individuals commonly report joint and muscle pain. This is possibly due to an over-sensitive nervous system.

13) Gluten intolerance may cause numbness or tingling in the arms and legs.

14) Gluten-intolerant individuals may experience brain fog. It involves having difficulty thinking, mental fatigue and forgetfulness.

NB! However, keep in mind that most of the symptoms on the list above may have other explanations as well.

What to do?

Ask Your nutritionist to help You with gluten-free nutrition plan.

Written by nutritionist Riin Reimer

 

References:

https://draxe.com/nutrition/gluten-free-diet/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/celiac-disease-symptoms#section11

https://draxe.com/health/celiac-disease-symptoms/

https://www.beyondceliac.org/celiac-disease/non-celiac-gluten-sensitivity/symptoms/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/signs-you-are-gluten-intolerant#section15