Intolerance to gluten protein can cause two distinct disorders: celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Unfortunately, doctors often mistakenly dismiss gluten intolerance as having few consequences in the absence of frank celiac disease. Experts in the field of gluten intolerance, such as Dr. Stephen Wangen, have found that hundreds of health problems are connected to wheat and gluten reactions. About 10 percent of the population is reported to have some degree of gluten intolerance and about 30 million Americans are affected.
Gluten
Gluten is a specific protein found in many cereal grains, particularly wheat. Gluten makes bread dough elastic and foods filling. Because it is inexpensive, it's found in many types of foods, including frozen foods and candies. Besides being found in wheat, gluten is found in rye, barley, malt (beer products included), soy sauce, kamut, durum, semolina, bulgur, graham, and farina grains among others. Gluten is also found in hydrolyzed vegetable oils. Both gluten and wheat are sometimes found as food contaminants in a variety of foods including ice cream and pet products and this is the cause of many food recalls.
Grains that do not contain gluten include: amaranth, buckwheat, corn, millet, oats (unless contaminated with wheat), rice, sorghum, and teff.
Symptoms Related to Gluten Intolerance
Gluten intolerance, which is also known as gluten sensitivity, can affect many of the body’s systems besides the digestive tract. Gluten intolerance is known to cause immune system, musculoskeletal, neurological, endocrine, metabolic, dental and dermatological problems. Gluten intolerance can also affect energy levels, cognitive ability, mood and disposition. Vague symptoms can also occur, including: bloating, angry disposition, projectile vomiting, mental fog, hair loss, low bone density, cold sores, elevated liver enzymes, dental enamel defects, itching, dark circles under eyes, itching, weight loss, weight gain, and edema.
Illnesses associated with gluten intolerance include:
- acne
- anemia
- autoimmune diseases
- infertility (in males and females)
- restless leg syndromesleep disorders
- thyroid disorders
- various cancers
Who is Affected?
People of all ages and of all ethnicities are affected by gluten intolerance. Pets can also be affected, and many autoimmune disorders in pets, such as canine hypothyroidism, can be linked to gluten.
Gluten Allergies
Gluten allergies differ from gluten intolerance. In gluten allergies, individuals are allergic to gluten found in specific grains, such as wheat and/or barley or spelt. Symptoms include, hives, swelling of the lip, tongue, or throat and rash. Some people also become allergic to other proteins in wheat besides gluten. Gluten allergies cause elevated levels of IgE.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a specific type of gluten intolerance that destroys villi in the small intestine. In celiac disease, the villi are worn down or blunted and unable to absorb nutrients from food. This is called villous atrophy and it’s caused by immune destruction of the enzyme tissue transglutaminase. Villous atrophy can also occur in other conditions including soy intolerance. People with celiac disease have gluten intolerance, but not everyone with gluten intolerance develops celiac disease. Both celiac disease and gluten intolerance can cause severe symptoms.
People with celiac disease have endomysial and tissue transglutaminase antibodies and they may also have gliadin antibodies.
Gliadin Antibodies
Individuals with gluten intolerance will have either or both IgG or IgA gliadin antibodies. If they’re avoiding gluten, these tests may not be positive until they resume eating gluten for several weeks. These antibodies can be detected in blood, stool, and saliva samples although blood tests are commonly used.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Gluten intolerance can affect nutrient absorption. Vitamin B12 deficiency and anemia often occur as a result. Vitamin D3, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and selenium deficiencies are also common. Selenium deficiencies are associated with autoimmune thyroid disorders.
It can take several weeks or months of a gluten free diet before those affected notice a difference in their health.
Sources:
Stephen Wangen, Healthier Without Wheat, A New Understanding of Wheat Allergies, Celiac Disease, and Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance, Innate Health Publishing, 2009.
Healthier Without Wheat website, accessed December 7, 2009
Elaine Moore - I'm a retired medical technologist and medical writer with more than 30 years experience working in hospital laboratories. Currently, I ...
Join the Conversation