GIf it isn’t coeliac disease and it isn’t a gluten allergy, why does gluten still leave you with bloating, constipation or diarrhoea?
Overview
What is gluten?
It’s the name given to the proteins in grains such as wheat, rye and barley.
Is gluten sensitivity the same thing as a gluten allergy or coeliac disease?
No. They’re all distinct conditions. See below for more details.
What are the symptoms of gluten sensitivity?
Eating gluten causes digestive problems including abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, and fatigue
How do I know if I have gluten intolerance?
A simple blood test is all you need. Book yours now.
Should I switch to a gluten-free diet now?
No. Take the test, then see your GP before making any dietary changes.
Did You Know?
There’s a lot of confusion over gluten sensitivity. Studies differ, showing the condition affecting as few as 0.5% or as much as 6% of the population.
What is gluten sensitivity?
You’ll notice what could be a gluten sensitivity when you eat products containing grains such as wheat, barley, rye, spelt, couscous and more. Gluten is the name given to the proteins within these grains, which then make their way into the foods created with them. You can find gluten in a huge range of foods, from breads and cereals to cakes, pasta and beer.
What are the symptoms of gluten sensitivity?
If you have a gluten sensitivity or intolerance, you are likely to feel the following after eating gluten:
- Bloating
- Abdominal cramps
- Flatulence
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
You may also feel extreme fatigue and/or a ‘foggy’ mind.
Gluten intolerance or worse?
The problem with diagnosing gluten sensitivity is that its symptoms are so close to those of coeliac disease and gluten allergy. Gluten sensitivity is unpleasant but, until recently, there was no suggestion it caused lasting damage to the body.
Coeliac disease, on the other hand, is an autoimmune condition which causes the immune system to attack the body’s own gut lining. In extreme cases, gluten allergy, which also shares many of the symptoms of gluten sensitivity, can also lead to anaphylaxis, which can be life threatening. Yet gluten sensitivity is proving very hard to pin down. Some research suggests it may not be gluten related at all (some have even suggested that the reason symptoms seem to subside when sufferers stop taking gluten is simply a placebo effect). At the other end of the spectrum, new research suggests that gluten intolerance may cause long lasting damage to parts of the intestine. For now, the solution lays with testing to ensure that your sensitivity is not caused by allergy or coeliac disease. You can begin that process below.
Treating gluten sensitivity
Unlike allergies, gluten sensitivity does not appear to be something you can grow out of. Nor is it something you can cure.
But a gluten-free diet should never be a lifestyle choice. You should only remove gluten from your diet if you have a gluten intolerance, allergy or coeliac disease. Even then, you should only do so once you’ve spoken with your GP.
How do I get tested?
Better2Know Your Body offers a number of blood tests designed to check for coeliac disease, gluten allergy and gluten intolerance. Each test explores genetic predisposition and a varying range of antibodies. This test checks for:
- Endomysial IgA
- Reticulin IgA
- Gliadin IgA + lgG
- Total IgA
- Tissue Transglutaminase (IgA)
To book your test contact Better2Know Your Body now on the number above or click the Book Now button below.