A person who consumes gluten and then has a reaction to it is said to be gluten sensitive or intolerant. Wheat is a grain found in all kinds of products – bread, cereal, and pasta. Trace amounts can be found in soups, dressings, and salads.
Wheat isn’t the only culprit behind gluten intolerance – rye and barley also have gluten in them. Rye is found in bread, cereal, and beer. People with a sensitivity to gluten may find that their symptoms go away after they eliminate the foods with gluten in them.
How can you know for sure that you’re gluten intolerant? Here are some common symptoms to watch out for:
Excessively Tired – Various studies have shown that excessive tiredness is tied to gluten sensitivity. Why? It’s thought the two are related because of the body’s inability to distribute energy reserves as well as inflammation.
Skin Problems – Gluten sensitivity can lead to an array of skin problems such as eczema, acne, rashes, itchiness, blistering, burning, etc.
Joint and Muscle Aches – Gluten intolerance can cause inflammation and joint pain such as arthritis.
Brain Fog – This can be a subtle symptom and may be a cause for other conditions too.
Abnormal Immune System Function – IgA antibodies offer protection to the body from flu, colds and many other diseases. These antibodies can affect how the body’s immune system works too. If you develop a gluten sensitivity, the antibodies will thwart the immune system.
Headaches/Migraines – Migraines are thought to be the most painful of all kinds of headaches. Gluten intolerant folks tend to suffer from migraines.
Dental Issues – It’s not uncommon for gluten sensitive folks to experience ulcers and canker sores. They also may suffer from insufficient levels of calcium – something teeth need.
Unexplained Weight Gain – There are two reasons gluten intolerant sufferers experience weight gain – gut permeability and malabsorption. People who cut out the gluten in their diet find their weight returns to a healthy level.
These are important! If you have any of these issues, you may suffer from Gluten intolerance and not know it.
