GLUTEN
Pizza, cookies, cakes, and pasta all contain one common ingredient: Gluten. Gluten, meaning “glue” in Latin, is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. The protein helps to bind breads, pasta, and desserts to create a denser product. Recently, the gluten avoidance phenomenon has become increasingly popular. However, avoiding this sometimes troublesome protein may not be entirely necessary for everyone.
CELIAC DISEASE
In the past few decades, more people have begun to notice that consuming bread products containing gluten have been related to gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, stomach pains, diarrhea, and (in more severe cases) vomiting and progressive weight loss. Medical professionals discovered this is sometimes due to an autoimmune condition known as celiac disease. Upon consumption of gluten, those with celiac disease experience a progressive deterioration of the villi, or hair-like projections, within the small intestine. Villi help to absorb vitamins and nutrients to nourish our bodies and sustain energy for our everyday activities. Mal absorption can occur when these villi begin to flatten as a result of gluten consumption, causing anemia, irritability, weight loss, stomach pains, and other gastrointestinal complications. Although there is no cure for celiac disease, one may adhere to a gluten free diet to slowly reverse damage in the small intestine. A gluten-free diet eliminates all forms of barley, wheat, and rye – even in the smallest amounts.
DIAGNOSIS AND SYMPTOMS
There are a few ways doctors diagnose celiac disease: A biopsy of the small intestine, an endoscopy to view images of the villi, or a blood test to measure amounts of certain antibodies that are commonly elevated when reacting to gluten. Although these diagnostic measures are available, many people still choose to self-diagnose and make the decision to avoid all forms of gluten in their diet. The problem with this approach is that there are similar symptoms with celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Both conditions may cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal complications. Therefore, some may mistakenly follow a gluten-free diet, which is not necessary for relieving their symptoms. Some, however, are gluten-sensitive, and this can be difficult to diagnose. Elimination diets and food journaling can help reveal whether such a sensitivity exists. Flattened villi caused by celiac disease.
Celiac-specific IBS-specific Shared symptoms:
- Mucus in the stool
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Muscle cramps
- Flatulence
- Constipation
- Anemia
- Skin rash
- Mouth sores
- Dental and bone disorders
- Tingling in legs and feet
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