Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms

Gluten sensitivity does not always have to do with Celiac’s disease. That is an entirely different subject. Celiac’s is a condition that can be tested by a medical doctor. If you are concerned about having this I recommend you discuss this with your doctor.

What I am addressing is the body’s response to a substance that is ingested. A gluten sensitivity causes  the body to respond in a way that encourages a type of inflammation in the large intestine. We can call this a type of malfunction, such as constipation, Diarrhea, IBS or Candidiasis and overgrowth of candida yeast in the system.

• What is an allergy? A maladaptive immune response to substance that does not cause a reaction in most people. An allergen is usually a protein which stimulates a hypersensitive immune response in which antibodies are produced.

• What is a sensitivity or intolerance? An intolerance is a metabolic response, not an immune response. An intolerance may simply be caused by not having enough of a certain type of digestive enzyme, hence inflammation. For example lactose intolerance = lack of the enzyme lactase. Digestive balance is another topic of discussion that is very important to have if you are experience several food sensitivities.

• How do you know if you have a sensitivity to gluten? You may experience gas, bloating or headaches after you eat a gluten based product. You may also feel weak or sleepy, you may feel a tingling in your face, mouth or throat, you may also get a runny nose or itchy eyes. The symptoms vary for most people based upon how much stress you have in you life. You may notice a more severe reaction when you are tired or already irritable. This is what we call the total load = sum of all stressors.

The best approach to determine your dietary sensitivities is to eliminate them for a short period of time of course one at a time and then add those foods back into you diet. Be sure to pay close attention to your body’s response.You’ll know the difference, I promise it wont feel good at all. Look up elimination diets or rotation diets to get a better understanding of how this could work for you.

Feel free to contact Rita Celeste Leon for personal diet coaching or buy some tasty Gluten Free Baked Goods (cookies, muffins, and bars).