Is gluten sensitivity a thing? Well, until a few years ago, most people wouldn’t have thought gluten sensitivity to be a real thing. And the common belief was that, only people battling a celiac disease have to avoid gluten. However, recent research shows that an increasing number of population could be gluten sensitive. And the common symptoms for this are bloating, stomach pain, brain fog, or headaches.
If these symptoms seem familiar, do not worry, you are not alone. Studies suggest that over 18 million Americans are sensitive to gluten and may not know about it. So, do you blame your digestive issues on gluten? You can, but do not forget to discuss your doctor’s symptoms and get a proper diagnosis. Your physician will run a few tests on you to determine if you are gluten sensitive. But what is gluten sensitivity, and whom does it affect?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat. So, when a person consumes gluten, they may have a specific allergic reaction to it. A wheat allergy is a sort of immune response (known as an IgE-mediated intolerance). It gets activated as soon as you consume wheat proteins such as gluten. How is gluten intolerance from celiac disease? Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that impacts the villi in the small intestine. Gluten intolerance symptoms do not immediately surface as soon as you consume the food. At times, it takes something around 24-48 hours. So, are you allergic to gluten or not? Find out here.
Bloating
Bloating occurs after you consume something and your stomach becomes swollen or full. It is one of the most common gluten sensitivity symptoms and affects most people who have an underlying gluten-intolerant condition. Understand which foods cause gluten intolerance? Keep a food diary to note the suspect foods.
Digestion Problems
Some people may suffer from Digestion issues such as suffering from bouts of diarrhea, constipation, and or belching. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms after consuming gluten, take note.
Most people with gluten-sensitivity alternate between diarrhea and constipation. In this case, the elimination diet works many times. Is it barley that is causing you distress or whole wheat? Find out from your food diary to get rid of the culprit for some time, and you will start feeling better.
Stomach ache
Another prevalent symptom of gluten insensitivity is stomach pain. Well, there may be many reasons for abdominal discomfort, and gluten sensitivity is one of them. You may find out about it, especially if you get a sudden pain after consuming gluten-enriched food. Many people regard it as a food allergy or a case of food poisoning, but it may be a gluten intolerance symptom.
Brain Fog or Headache
When you can’t remember something or think clearly, chronic headaches or sudden bouts of brain fog may point to gluten-sensitivity. People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, celiac disease, or gluten sensitivity battle migraines.
Skin Problems
Unexplained rashes, dry skin or eczema and psoriasis even acne, may occur if you are gluten intolerant. Those sudden gut issues that may experience from time to time may be all because of a gut flare-up. Keep your gut happy, and you will keep your skin happy. Yes, it’s that simple, and how do you do that? Eat quality prebiotics and probiotics, manage stress levels, and exercise.
Anxiety and Depression
Strangely, thanks to the modern lifestyle, more and more people are suffering from anxiety and depression nowadays, and it may largely because of eating gluten-rich foods. The gut-brain connection is real, and if your gut isn’t happy, chances are you may find you may suffer from numerous issues such as anxiety and depression.
What are the foods that you may need to eliminate if you are suffering from gluten sensitivity? The whole grains include whole wheat, wheat bran, spelled, rye, Kamut, farro, couscous, semolina, bulgur, durum, farina, einkorn, wheat germ, cracked wheat, matzo, mir, and so on.
However, don’t blame it on barley if you have a different problem. It always helps to know whether you are gluten-intolerant or there is something else to blame. Talk to your doctor, do the necessary tests, and only then, do the needful, eliminate gluten for some time.
