What’s the deal with everyone going gluten-free? Is their reasoning based on evidence? Have you wondered if you have gluten sensitivity and should go off of gluten too? We’ll talk about all these things today to help you make an educated choice.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It is made up of gliadin and glutenin (two different proteins). It’s what gives bread its stretchy texture.
Gluten is found in many food products. Some of the obvious ones include bread and pasta. Some of the products containing gluten that are lesser known include soy sauce, imitation crab, spice mixes like taco seasoning, licorice, and more.
Why Avoid Gluten?
Gluten can be a source of inflammation in the gut leading to excessive intestinal permeability (leaky gut) and/or autoimmune diseases. Consuming gluten when you are sensitive to it can actually lead to the development of autoimmune disorders if you ignore it (1). This is a huge reason for avoiding gluten even if you don’t experience any associated GI symptoms.
In fact, many gluten-sensitive people do not experience GI symptoms related to gluten ingestion. Instead, they have neurological symptoms such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, seizures, migraines, neuropathy, and others (1).
Gluten affects the microbiome in the gut. When mice were fed a gluten-free diet, their gut microbes changed. They had increased counts of Akkermansia species, which is important in reducing the risk of diabetes and obesity. This particular species is actually one of the most difficult to increase amounts of because there is only one company selling supplements of it and it can be affected by so many factors.
Diseases Linked to Gluten Intolerance
Celiac disease
Celiac disease is not just a gluten intolerance. It’s an autoimmune disease resulting in severe gluten intolerance. Those with this disease should avoid gluten 100%. Even entering a bakery where flour dust is in the air can be harmful to these people. Patients with celiac disease who adhered to a strict gluten-free diet vs those who did not were much more likely to be protected against developing other autoimmune diseases. Staying away from gluten is one way you can likely help prevent your body from developing certain autoimmune diseases (1).
Type 1 Diabetes
Did you know that the amount, timing, and mode of gluten introduction to infants has been shown to affect the potential of gluten to induce type 1 diabetes (1)? That’s right. In some people, avoiding gluten may prevent the development of type 1 diabetes. Unfortunately, once you have type 1, avoiding gluten will not allow pancreatic beta cells to repair (but it may stop you from getting another autoimmune disease down the road).
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Studies have suggested avoiding gluten to improve markers of inflammation in those with RA.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Here’s a surprising fact: 11% of people with MS also have celiac disease. This is 5-10 fold more than the average population! It was found that 32% of first-degree relatives of patients with MS have celiac disease (1). Following a gluten-free diet has resulted in excellent improvements in digestive and neurologic aspects in those with MS (1).
Psoriasis
Celiac disease and psoriasis actually share genetic and inflammatory features in the body. One study found that 24 out of 33 psoriasis patients who tested positive for antigliadin antibodies showed significant improvements in the psoriatic severity index (1). Some patients even saw rapid lesion reduction when following a gluten-free diet.
Autoimmune Thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s disease/Hypothyroidism)
Patients with celiac disease have a 3-fold increased risk of having thyroid disorders (1). In most patients who adhered to a gluten-free diet for 1 year, hypothyroidism normalized (1). A gluten-free diet, in some people, reverses abnormal thyroid levels (1).
Should I be Tested for Gluten Sensitivity?
If anything stood out to you above, you might consider being tested for gluten sensitivity. The following list of symptoms and disorders are indications that it would be wise to order Vibrant America’s Wheat Zoomer test:
- Skin rashes
- Joint pain
- Diagnoses of autoimmune conditions
- Low vitamin D status
- Multiple food sensitivities
- Suspected gluten or wheat sensitivity
- Suspected intestinal permeability (leaky gut syndrome)
- Gastrointestinal inflammation (diarrhea or constipation; cramping; nausea; discomfort after eating)
- Headaches, including migraines
- Neurological symptoms (memory loss, balance problems, numbness, tingling, anxiety)
- Excessive fatigue after meals
- Celiac disease (to identify whether you are still getting hidden sources of gluten in your diet)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (hypothyroidism)
- Psoriasis
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Vibrant America’s test offers the most comprehensive and sensitive assessment of gluten and wheat sensitivity and the earliest and most sensitive detection of celiac disease available. It also provides the most thorough assessment of intestinal barrier stability.
Any Questions?
If you are interested in ordering this test, reach out to our office! Our dietitians are well-versed in this test and would love to help you understand your results.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3641836/
