How Does Gluten Intolerance Affect The Body

Your Brain Doesnt Feel Pain But It Still Suffers

The brain itself does not feel pain and chronic inflammation is experienced with symptoms such as brain fog, slow mental processing, anxiety, depression, emotional disturbances, etc. Over time, a brain that is chronically inflamed leads to neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia, Alzheimers, and Parkinsons disease.

Individuals may also form specific antibodies to gluten molecules that mimic other regions of the body. One of the most common of these molecular mimicry patterns is Glutamate Decarboxylase antibodies. GAD is an enzyme that helps metabolize glutamate and it is key for energy production in major regions of the brain.

Individuals with GAD antibodies often form cerebellar ataxia where they are unable to maintain balance and have very poor coordination. GAD antibodies are also implicated in type I diabetes, adult auto-immune diabetes, Parkinsons disease, and stiff-man syndrome.

When we metabolize gluten, we produce the opiates gluteomorphin and prodynorphin as a result. These opiates have an addictive effect and can often lead to food addictions to sugar and gluten containing carbs. People often struggle to come off of these foods due to the addictions.

Should I Go On A Gluten

Going on a gluten-free diet is critical for people with gluten intolerance. However, if your body can tolerate gluten well, you may also benefit from a gluten-free diet. Heres how.

• Weight loss gluten intake is associated with wheat consumption which is high in carbohydrates. Eliminating gluten from your diet not only does away with simple carbs from wheat but makes it easy to refrain from processed foods whose main ingredient is gluten-filled foods.
• Reduced inflammation gluten sensitivity is characterized by inflammation in other parts of the body. Since theres no definite way to diagnose it, you may unknowingly be suffering from gluten sensitivity. A gluten-free diet can help reduce inflammation in other parts of the body, triggered by gluten consumption.

How Do You Know If Your Dog Is Allergic To Gluten

Any combination of the symptoms listed above could be a sign that your dog is allergic to gluten. If you suspect that you may have a gluten intolerant dog you can start to change them onto a gluten free diet. If this alleviates their symptoms it is highly likely that a gluten intolerance is the cause of your pooches discomfort.

If you are still unsure you can test for gluten intolerance either at home with a kit or with a canine nutrition expert.

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Whats About Gluten Free Goods And Whats The Best Type Of Wheat To Eat

For those who dont have a genetic disposition to gluten intolerance, the best type of wheat to eat is non GMO wheat. European wheat is non GMO.

The best American wheat is often called heritage wheat and made by artisinal bakers. Its expensive but worth it. And sour dough starters make wheat more digestible. But this is only for people who have already healed completely. Not for those still in the healing process.

As far as gluten free replacements for favorite foods like toast, cereal and pasta, I dont find them particularly healthy. These are highly processed products and should not be part of a healing diet or protocol. Ok as a rare treat, but I prefer grain-free Paleo baked goods as they are much healthier.

Going completely grain free in the beginning stages of healing is important. The only exception is white rice, which seems to work for some people.

If you are dying for cereal heres my favorite Paleo replacement made only with coconut. I have it with homemade cashew milk.

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Gluten Intolerance Is More Than Just A Digestive Problem

Gluten can actually cause significant changes in the gut microbiotaa significant problem, considering that a persons overall health depends heavily on the health of their gut.

In addition, gluten intolerance can affect almost every cell, tissue and system in the body because the bacteria that populate the gut help control everything from nutrient absorption and hormone production to metabolic function and cognitive processes. This is why for so many of my patients, and for the population at large, gluten intolerance is a very serious health issue.

In the US, its estimated that grain flours , vegetable oils and added sugar now make up about 70% of the total calories most people consume each day. Considering the fact that quality proteins, healthy fats and vegetables/fruits only play a small part in the average Americans diet, its no surprise so many people struggle with gluten intolerance, related health issues and weight control.

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What Is The Difference Between Celiac And Gluten Intolerance

Celiac disease and gluten intolerance are not the same things, although they do share very similar symptoms. Serious stomach aches, bloating and diarrhoea are some of the most common signs of both.

Celiac is an autoimmune disease. In humans, this is when the bodys immune system attacks its own healthy tissue. The body’s immune system attacks substances found inside gluten as a threat to the body and destroys them, leaving behind damage to the small intestine.

This inflammation can compromise the absorption of nutrients from food into the bloodstream, leading to anaemia and an increased risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. in which the protein element of a carbohydrate.

The 14 Most Common Signs Of Gluten Intolerance

Gluten intolerance is a fairly common problem.

It is characterized by adverse reactions to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.

Celiac disease is the most severe form of gluten intolerance.

It is an autoimmune disease that affects about 1% of the population and may lead to damage in the digestive system .

However, 0.513% of people may also have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, a milder form of gluten intolerance that can still cause problems .

Both forms of gluten intolerance can cause widespread symptoms, many of which have nothing to do with digestion.

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

Take Home Message

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Gluten Intolerance Vs Celiac Disease

Despite stemming from the body’s innate inability to break down gluten, both celiac disease and gluten intolerance are markedly different. Whether it’s the symptoms, testing, or treatment, both conditions are poles apart despite the same cause. We list the differences and details of gluten intolerance vs celiac disease to clear the air about these misunderstood diseases.

• Gluten Intolerance:

• Gluten intolerance occurs when the body has no way to digest gluten.
• A lot of symptoms may overlap with those of Celiac disease, however, they differ in the adversity and duration.
• Gluten intolerance is also called non-celiac gluten intolerance and affects anywhere between 1% and 6% of the American adult population.
• Celiac disease can lead to aggressive reactions by the immune system attacking intestinal tissue. Gluten intolerance causes milder symptoms like bloating and discomfort.
• Gluten intolerance also isn’t thought to be hereditary, unlike celiac disease. Though not much is known about it, initial studies do not reveal a hereditary pattern.
• Gluten intolerance doesn’t have long-term complications that can lead to other conditions.

• What are the Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance?

Gluten intolerance can present as:

• Treating Gluten Intolerance

• Celiac Disease

• What are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease shows the following symptoms:

• Tests for Celiac Disease

• Treating Celiac Disease

Can You Suddenly Get Gluten Intolerance

Related Articles

• How to Lower Gluten

Suddenly developing side effects from eating gluten after a life of tolerating it just fine can leave you feeling overwhelmed and confused. It’s likely that you have carried a gene for gluten intolerance without knowing it and something in your life triggered the gene to be expressed. Take some time to learn about the different types of gluten intolerance and see your doctor for testing. Also, try eliminating gluten from your diet and note if your symptoms improve.

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Lets Put It All Together

This has been a lengthy and somewhat in-depth look into what gluten does in our bodies, so Id like to sum it all up for you here.

For individuals who are sensitive to gluten, the following chain reaction can literally be set off every time they eat gluten:

• The problems begin when gluten activates zonulin and contribute to the formation of a leaky gut.
• A leaky gut then allows toxins and undigested particles to enter into the bloodstream and travel throughout the body.
• These toxic substances then trigger our immune system to create inflammation in order to destroy these foreign invaders.
• Continuing to eat gluten on a regular basis leads to a state of chronic inflammation as our body tries to continually fight off these foreign invaders.
• And, finally, our body may begin to attack its own tissues that just happen to be similar in structure to gluten, such as our thyroid.

Yikes! This chain of events is definitely not something any of us want going on in our bodies because it truly can have a dramatic impact on our health.

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Can Gluten Intolerance Lead To Health Problems And Weight Gain

With all the news about gluten and gluten-free diets, you may be wondering can gluten intolerance lead to weight gain? In fact, if your body cant process gluten you can have many problems including weight gain. However, weight gain isnt as common as weight loss.

With gluten intolerance, your body has trouble absorbing the protein gluten thats found in wheat, barley, and rye. As you continue to eat these foods you may have a wide array of digestive problems weight gain being one of them.

Gluten intolerance can cause gas, cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. The symptoms you experience will be individual. One of the best ways to discover whether or not youre tolerant to gluten is to eliminate gluten from your diet and see if symptoms subside.

Many people find that a gluten-free diet can promote weight loss and better digestive health. A lot of that is because foods that are high in gluten also tend to be high in refined sugars, fats, and artificial ingredients.

But if you continue to eat gluten and you have an intolerance, you could actually end up having problems with too much weight loss. This isnt the kind that helps you shape up for summer its the kind that sends you to the hospital and makes you very ill.

Gluten intolerance can exacerbate problems such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and other auto-immune disorders because it causes inflammation in your body. It can even cause a severe allergic reaction called celiac disease.

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When Should I Call My Doctor

Some symptoms of gluten exposure can be severe. Seek medical attention if you experience diarrhea or vomiting. Dehydration can lead to dangerous electrolyte imbalances.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Gluten intolerance may make you feel sick after eating gluten. You might get bloated, nauseous or gassy. Gluten intolerance causes a lot of the same symptoms as celiac disease, but its not the same condition. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to damage to the digestive tract. People with gluten intolerance usually find relief from their symptoms by following a gluten-free diet. Gluten-free diets do have some health risks. Its important to work with your healthcare provider and a dietitian to build the right treatment plan for your needs.

From Head To Toe For Some

Gluten intolerance or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, to be specific can affect your body in more ways than one. Aside from digestive symptoms, gluten intolerance may present itself physically through skin rashes, joint and muscle pain, and numbness in your arms or legs. It may also cause neurological conditions such as anxiety, brain fog and depression.

The time it takes for these symptoms to manifest ranges from person to person, with some experiencing an almost instantaneous surge of reactions right after consuming gluten. Symptoms can last for a day or more, depending on the individuals level of intolerance.

Heres the catch: majority of the human population can digest gluten without experiencing any discomfort whatsoever, proving why a gluten-free diet is not suited for everyone.

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Gluten And Health Benefits

Gluten is most often associated with wheat and wheat-containing foods that are abundant in our food supply. Negative media attention on wheat and gluten has caused some people to doubt its place in a healthful diet. There is little published research to support these claims in fact published research suggests the opposite.

In a 2017 study of over 100,000 participants without celiac disease, researchers found no association between long-term dietary gluten consumption and heart disease risk. In fact, the findings also suggested that non-celiac individuals who avoid gluten may increase their risk of heart disease, due to the potential for reduced consumption of whole grains.

• Many studies have linked whole grain consumption with improved health outcomes. For example, groups with the highest intakes of whole grains including wheat compared with groups eating the lowest amounts were found to have significantly lower rates of heart disease and stroke, development of type 2 diabetes, and deaths from all causes.

Gluten may also act as a prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria in our bodies. Arabinoxylan oligosaccharide is a prebiotic carbohydrate derived from wheat bran that has been shown to stimulate the activity of bifidobacteria in the colon. These bacteria are normally found in a healthy human gut. Changes in their amount or activity have been associated with gastrointestinal diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Hidden Sources Of Gluten

Oats are gluten free in their pure form however, most oats pick up trace amounts of gluten when they are processed in a facility that also processes wheat products. Other not-so-obvious sources of gluten include soy sauce and two ingredients found in many processed foods: monosodium glutamate and modified food starch.

Beer and other grain-based beverages contain gluten, although some beers may be gluten free. Licorice-type chewy candies and batter-dipped or breaded fried foods are often made with wheat flour. Some medications use wheat starch as a filler ingredient.

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