Gluten is a controversial protein found in wheat and other grains. Many people have found that they feel better after they change their diet to avoid foods that contain gluten. We are told by the food industry that wheat is a part of any balanced diet but this isn't true. Some doctors question whether there is any place in a balanced diet for wheat and other gluten-containing foods like barley or rye.
All glutens aren't the same; rice, corn, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat and millet contain a gluten that doesn't have the gliadin molecule that can provoke an inflammatory reaction. Therefore, they are usually safe unless a person has a specific grain allergy.
Gliadins are the real problem; these molecules frequently cause toxic reactions that trigger an immune response. During digestion, gliadins bind to cells in your body and if you are sensitive (which many people are) your body will create antibodies and attack the cells to which gliadin has attached itself as if those cells were an infection. Gliadin thus produces an autoimmune disease that can damage organs.
What Is Gluten Intolerance?
Gluten intolerance has three distinct categories: Celiac Disease, Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity and Grain Allergies.
Celiac disease is a more serious condition where the body has destroyed the lining of the small intestine because of the gliadin molecules that attached themselves to the lining. A person with celiac disease has trouble absorbing nutrients from their food and will have multiple symptoms that may seem unrelated. There are blood tests that will determine if a person has celiac disease.
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) is more difficult to diagnose. Individuals with NCGS suffer like people with celiac disease, but the blood test which identifies and diagnoses celiac disease is negative. The only way to confidently diagnose NCGS is through a gluten-free diet.
The third category is a grain allergy. The origin of an allergy to wheat, rice, corn or other gluten-containing grains is fundamentally different than gluten intolerance or celiac disease. It may be a histamine response to the grain, much like a peanut allergy or hay fever. Grain allergies manifest themselves in a wide variety of symptoms; some people experience hives while others have stomach pains.
Anyone with digestive problems or unexplained symptoms like chronic fatigue should explore a gluten-free diet for several months to see if their symptoms resolve. Wheat and dairy are so pervasive in our western culture that it may be hard to imagine living without bread or pizza, but it is possible. If you are having trouble losing weight, giving up wheat and dairy may make all the difference.
Please note: The information here is not to be followed as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your physician or primary health practitioner for information regarding your own personal health and necessary treatments.
