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Can Eating Gluten Cause Joint Pain

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How Is Gluten Intolerance Treated

Can Gluten Cause Arthritis

Theres no cure for gluten intolerance. But most people find relief from symptoms by following a gluten-free diet. You should work with your healthcare provider and a dietitian to plan your diet.

You can also ask your healthcare provider about adding probiotics to your diet. Probiotics help increase the good bacteria in your gut. They may reduce symptoms of bloating, gas or constipation.

Some research suggests that taking certain enzymes may help you digest gluten. But experts are still investigating this treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any enzymes.

Gluten And Your Muscles Joints And Skin

Oh, my aching muscles and joints. What is this rash? Whats wrong with my bones?

If you are asking yourself these questions, going to see your healthcare provider is the first step to determining whats wrong. If you are experiencing unexplained joint or muscle pain, bone issues, or even a rash on your body and some other factors are in place these issues could be related to gluten intolerance.

Not everyone who experiences these types of issues is reacting to gluten, but if you have a family history of celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, or if these issues are accompanied by digestive-related symptoms or occur more frequently after youve consumed certain foods, ask your healthcare provider about gluten intolerance.

If you have gluten intolerance, gluten can affect other parts of your body in addition to your digestive system. While not always talked about, gluten can impact your brain and mental health. See our article Gluten and Mental Health. Adverse reactions to gluten can also show up as muscle and joint pain, weakened bones, or a skin rash. Lets look at each of these conditions in more detail.

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Other Signs Of Celiac Disease Or A Gluten Sensitivity

Many people who have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity have more than one symptom. This can interfere with the absorption of nutrients from food, cause a host of symptoms, and lead to other problems like osteoporosis, infertility, nerve damage, and seizures.

If gluten is causing joint pain, it might also cause other symptoms, such as:

  • Digestive issues, such as stomach aches, heartburn, bloating, and diarrhea
  • Skin and hair problems, such as rashes
  • Oral and dental problems, such as canker sores
  • Brain and nervous system disorders, such as headaches and numbness and tingling in the feet, legs or hands
  • Fatigue and mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety
  • Hormone irregularities that can cause abnormal periods and infertility
  • Other musculoskeletal issues

These symptoms may be severe or just annoyingor not even noticeable. For example, people with celiac disease do not absorb calcium well, resulting in weak bones. About 2/3 of people with celiac disease have either osteopenia or osteoporosis,7Murry JA, Editor. Mayo Clinic Going Gluten Free, p. 44-45. 2014. Time Home Entertainment Inc. New York, NY. but changes in bone composition are not immediately seen or felt.

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Should You Get Tested For Celiac Disease Or Gluten Sensitivity

Probably not â but maybe, in certain circumstances.

Doctors donât usually check for gluten issues unless thereâs a good reason. And the National Psoriasis Foundation doesnât recommend that all people with PsA get screened for gluten issues in part because those tests have a high rate of false positives.

But tell your doctor if youâre worried about a gluten intolerance or if you have a close family member with celiac disease.

Youâll need to see a gut specialist called a gastroenterologist. Theyâll likely ask you some questions before they do any tests. Some examples might include:

  • Do you have frequent diarrhea?
  • Are you tired all the time?
  • Do you have a history of iron-deficiency anemia?
  • Are your PsA symptoms not responding to treatment?

Depending on your answers, you may need one or more of the following:

  • Biopsy of your small intestine
  • Genetic testing
  • Gluten elimination diet

You may want to test for celiac disease before taking gluten out of your diet. Thatâs because your gut can look normal if you havenât had gluten in a while.

As for non-celiac gluten sensitivity, there isnât a good way to know for sure if you have it. But your doctor can rule out celiac disease or wheat allergy.

Then, they may ask you to avoid gluten products for a few months to see if you feel better.

Check with your doctor before you start a gluten-free diet. It can be hard to know which foods to leave out.

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Gluten And Joint Pain

5 Reasons to Stop Eating Gluten Whether You Are Sensitive Or Not

If you have joint pain, will cutting out gluten help? The literature doesnt give us a lot to go on here. Celiac disease and gluten neuropathy aside, non-celiac gluten sensitivity has been associated with symptoms of joint pain but the quality of evidence isnt very high.

In rheumatoid arthritis , which shares autoimmune links with celiac disease, we dont have enough evidence to suggest that gluten worsens symptoms. Interestingly, one trialof a gluten free vegan diet showed improvements but it is impossible to say whether the gluten free aspect of that study mattered or if it was just the vegan diet. Also, it was only 2 trialsnot much to go on. One case report suggests that some may benefit from going gluten free. Other work suggests that whole grains should be part of a dietary approach for RA.

So while I do believe that we should support rheumatoid arthritis with nutrition, we definitely cant say that it should be gluten free nutrition. Remember that when we make dietary changes, such as going gluten free, it can sometimes be tough to tease out what exactly worked. For example, was it really losing the gluten? Or did you also eat a lot more nutrient-dense whole foods.

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The Best Diet For Arthritis

The doctors we spoke with emphasize eating an anti-inflammatory diet with their patients. A whole food, plant-based anti-inflammatory diet is my first-line recommendation, says Dr. Yu. He counsels patients to cut out processed foods and refined sugar, and increase their fiber intake through fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, regardless if those whole grains contain gluten or not.

Fiber is the key player here: More fiber improves gut health, which can relieve inflammation and systematically improve arthritis symptoms, he says.

Other doctors advocate for a similar diet. Nilanjana Bose, MD, a member of the American College of Rheumatology, who practices at the Rheumatology Center of Houston, recommends a Mediterranean diet that restricts refined carbs and sugars, as well as red meat.

The benefits pay off across the board. People who follow a low-carb anti-inflammatory diet lose weight and see their energy, sleep, and joint symptoms improve, she says. Like Dr. Yu, she says that much of the success with an anti-inflammatory diet comes from improving the health of the microbiome, the network of trillions of bacteria in your gut.

Theres been a lot of interest in the gut microbiome. We feel that some of these gut organisms may be promoting inflammation and there are some good gut organisms that decrease inflammation, Dr. Bose explains.

Gluten Can Be Toxic To The Nervous System

Individuals who experience such adverse reactions to gluten may develop neurological problems associated with gluten despite having no obvious gastrointestinal symptoms.

These neurological problems may include chronic headaches and migraines neuropathy ataxia cognitive decline depression anxiety dementia and psychosis. In order to avoid these adverse effects of gluten on the nervous system, it is best for individuals with a sensitivity to gluten to either eliminate or drastically reduce their gluten intake from their diet until testing can confirm if they have an underlying condition associated with it.

With proper diagnosis and lifestyle modification strategies that involve eating a healthy diet and avoiding sources of gluten where possible, affected individuals can ensure better health outcomes for themselves and wishful freedom from any harmful implications of consuming this protein on the nervous system.

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Gluten Can Trigger An Autoimmune Response

In some cases, the body may misidentify gluten as a foreign invader, triggering an autoimmune response. Instead of recognizing it as harmless nutrients, antibodies are produced that cause the immune system to attack healthy cells.

For those suffering from either condition, following a strict gluten-free diet is necessary in order to prevent further health complications. It is important to note that eliminating gluten from your diet completely is the only way to avoid an unwanted autoimmune response. In doing so, you can help keep your body safe from harm while nourishing it with the nutrients it needs to support optimal health and well-being.

What Is Celiac Disease

Can Gluten Cause Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)? Research Update

Some people who experience unpleasant symptoms after consuming gluten may haveceliac disease. When people with celiac disease eat gluten, their immune systems mount an attack on the small intestine that can damage the villi, small projections that line the small intestine that help with the absorption of nutrients. When this damage occurs, the body cannot absorb nutrients effectively. Celiac disease tends to run in families and can develop at almost any age. Without treatment, this disorder can lead to seriouslong-term health problems.

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Gluten Can Interfere With Hormone Production

Gluten has been linked to hormone imbalances, ranging from thyroid problems to ovulation disruption or even infertility. It is believed gluten may interfere with hormones produced by the gut, as well as components of stomach acid.

Fortunately, gluten-related hormone imbalances can be managed through a gluten-free diet plan.

A gluten-free diet eliminates all food sources of gluten, including wheat, rye, oats , and barley. Not only does eliminating gluten help reduce inflammation and heal the gut barrier, but it also helps return hormones to their balanced state while providing necessary vitamins and minerals that had been lacking due to malabsorption issues. There is no doubt that following a gluten free diet plan can greatly improve overall health and well-being.

The Impact Of Gluten On Joint Pain

In recent years, many people have begun to point to gluten as the culprit behind a multitude of health issues including bloating, diarrhea, and intestinal damage. There is little to no evidence that this commonly found protein can actually cause these issuesunless you suffer from celiac disease or gluten sensitivitybut there may be emerging evidence that gluten can produce or augment joint pain.

A recent survey found that almost 30 percent of Americans try to eat a diet that is gluten-free. It is surprising that this health fad has become so popular despite some weak science supporting it. The truth is that only certain groups of people including those with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or auto-immune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis need to avoid gluten.

What Is Gluten?

For those not keeping up with the latest health craze, gluten is a class of proteins found primarily in grains like wheat, rye, and barleybut may also be found in many others. Gluten serves primarily as a bonding agent that helps foods retain their shape. In bread products, gluten facilitates the leavening process, making it softer and more elastic. The average daily intake of gluten in a Western diet is about 5-20 grams per day.

Gluten is found in many foods including

Celiac Disease

These are some of the symptoms of celiac disease

  • Abdominal pain and bloating
  • Diminished growth
  • Irritability and behavioral issues

Gluten and Joint Pain

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Joint Pain: The Link Between Gluten And Inflammation

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. It is also found in some processed foods and medications. Some people have an allergy or intolerance to gluten. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue and joint pain. A study published in the Journal of Rheumatology in 2014 found that people with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that is triggered by gluten, are more likely to experience joint pain than those without the condition. The study authors suggested that the inflammation caused by celiac disease may contribute to joint pain. In some cases, joint pain may be the only symptom of gluten intolerance or celiac disease. If you experience joint pain and suspect that gluten may be the cause, talk to your doctor. They can order tests to confirm a diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan.

Muscle and joint pain are among the most common health issues today. They are usually characterized by chronic pain, disability, and a significant impact on your quality of life. There is no long-term treatment for these conditions that can be taken with anti-inflammatories, steroids, or pain killers. Instead, you should take a closer look at your plate. Cortisol raises your blood sugar and thus aids in weight loss in the short term. cortisol levels are elevated at the same time as muscle wasting . When you have Celiac Disease, your immune system attacks your intestines.

Gluten And Ra: Any Connection

Symptoms Related to Gluten Reactions

Like rheumatoid arthritis, sensitivity to gluten a protein found in certain grains is common in people of northern European descent, Dr. Goodman says.

Celiac disease is an extreme form of gluten sensitivity, or intolerance, in which the immune system reacts negatively to gluten and causes inflammation in the lining of the small intestine.

People with celiac disease are more likely to have autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, but the exact link is still under investigation.

By eating foods containing gluten, people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease can bring on gastrointestinal symptoms and joint inflammation that may resemble rheumatoid arthritis. But they are two separate conditions caused by separate immune reactions. The antibody profiles are different for rheumatoid arthritis, Goodman says.

Eliminating gluten from your diet can ease digestive and joint pain caused by gluten sensitivity in people who are genetically predisposed to gluten sensitivity, but itâs not likely to benefit others. A blood test can tell if you have a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.

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How Can I Prevent Celiac Disease

Celiac disease cannot be prevented. However, early detection and management of celiac disease may prevent severe complications. Therefore, it is very important to check for celiac disease in persons at higher risk for having the condition, such as first-degree family members of patients with celiac disease.

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You Always Experience Abdominal Pain And Bloating

Abdominal bloating is characterized by tightness and/or swelling in your abdominal region.

It occurs because of excess gas or disturbances in the muscles involved with digestion.

In a study of 59 adults with suspected NCGS, abdominal pain and bloating were the top reported digestive symptoms .

Its thought that a buildup of gas is the main cause in those who are sensitive after a gluten rich meal.

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Is There A Link Between Celiac And Arthritis Symptoms

Weve known for a long time that people with autoimmune forms of arthritis are more likely to develop celiac disease. More recently, researchers have started understanding the potential connection between gluten and joint pain.

When someone with celiac disease or a sensitivity to gluten consumes gluten, the immune system springs to life, using inflammation as one of its weapons. This inflammation is a good thing in certain situations but not when theres no real threat to the body. It affects the soft tissues and organs, causing symptoms such as joint pain even when no visible external signs of inflammation are present . This joint pain may come and go, or it may be chronic and consistent.

The Connection Between Food And Inflammation

DIET FOR JOINT PAIN – Best Foods for people with Arthralgia

Inflammation is a complicated process the connection between food and inflammation is still being researched. Some research shows that certain nutrients like vitamin E, magnesium, fiber and antioxidants like polyphenols can reduce inflammation. Diets that are high in refined starches, sugar, saturated and artificial trans fats, and low in fruits, vegetables, whole-grains and omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with increased inflammation in the body. However, it is important to be clear, food choices alone are unlikely to solve chronic inflammation.

One food component that is often accused of increasing inflammation in our bodies is gluten. Lets take a look at the validity of that claim.

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Joint Pain Improvements On A Gluten

In 2011, doctors in Turkey told the story of a 42-year-old woman in the prestigious journal Rheumatology International. The title of their small case report was Celiac disease of the joint. Here is what they recorded:

  • A 42-year-old woman presented with a 3-week history of left knee pain and swelling.
  • She had suffered dermatitis herpetiformis for 12 years.
  • She had never been on a gluten-free diet.
  • Knee pain increased with motion and her gait was antalgic .
  • The 42-year-old was mainly dependent on a wheelchair due to pain and limitation.
  • She responded well to a gluten-free diet. The Association of joint involvement and dermatitis herpetiformis is more than just coincidental.

The Turkish doctors emphasized that her joint pain and skin rashes improved when she went on a gluten-free diet, so much so that they stressed in their paper, that these improvements were more than just coincidental.

What Causes Gluten Intolerance

The exact causes of gluten intolerance arent well understood. Some research shows that people may not be sensitive to gluten, but to a certain carbohydrate found in many foods. Their bodies dont absorb the carbohydrate as they should. It stays in their guts and ferments, causing sickness.

Other research suggests that wheat might affect the lining of some peoples digestive tracts. This lining usually keeps bacteria from leaking out of your intestines. But in people with a gluten intolerance, the lining may not work as it should, allowing bacteria into their blood or liver and causing inflammation.

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