- For people with celiac disease, ingesting gluten damages the small intestine because antibodies form and attack its delicate walls. It’s typically detected through a blood test, though some of its hundreds of symptoms include abdominal pain, brain fog, and weight loss. With a wheat allergy, the symptoms include abdominal pain and/or cramping, rash, wheezing, and diarrhea.
- Gluten sensitivity can mimic the signs of celiac disease; you may not even know you have it. Called non-celiac gluten sensitivity, it can be hard to detect since there’s not a blood test like the one for celiac disease. The following are some of the signs of all these conditions that researchers have connected to some degree of gluten intolerance or sensitivity.
“Open Wide” …
Because gluten problems can inhibit your ability to absorb vitamins and minerals, essentials like calcium and Vitamin D can be depleted. Enamel erosion and decay are common effects. A study published by BMC Gastroenterology also connected mouth ulcers to gluten sensitivity. Those canker sores on your tongue or in your mouth could be related to gluten.
Your Get-up-and-go Got-up-and-went, Without You…
Fatigue, especially chronic, is associated with so many conditions that it’s hard to pinpoint the underlying cause. One of the reasons gluten is linked to fatigue is because it causes inflammation for those with a sensitivity or celiac disease. That, in turn, can cause sluggishness and lethargy.
I Hurt All Over…
Pain in soft and connective tissues, and often in joints, is also attributed to gluten-related inflammation – pain can flare up in the muscles, joints, or cause arthritic pain. Some people find relief once they eliminate foods containing gluten. Many patients diagnosed with Fibromyalgia are not only sensitive/and or allergic to the foods in the nightshade genre but also to gluten.
Headaches…
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center found those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity had a high incidence of migraines and chronic headaches – more than half of gluten sensitive participants reported headaches as did about 30% of celiac disease patients.
Numbness in Limbs…
Have you ever had unexplained numbness or tingling in your arms and legs? For some, gluten is a trigger that activates a response in the nervous system. With celiac disease, some patients experience neuropathy as a result of nerve damage. Others who have a sensitivity may have tingling, numbness, or carpal tunnel that springs up during sleep or normal activity. If a blood-sugar imbalance or diabetes is also an issue, many times the neuropathy is automatically attributed to that condition and no further investigation or dietary modifications are made that include avoiding gluten – that’s a huge mistake!
Brain-fog – Your Mind is Writing Checks Your Body Can’t Cash…
Feeling forgetful or a little less sharp? It could be a gluten sensitivity. Brain scans of celiac patients revealed lesions linked to this autoimmune condition. Even without a diagnosis of celiac disease, according to specialists interviewed by Allergic Living, eating gluten can cause changes to the brain resulting in mental fog or poor concentration.
Weight Up or Down…
If your weight has gone up without explanation, gluten could be impacting your gut. Besides inflammation causing problems, it can also cause hormone imbalances – specifically cortisol production – AND more cortisol means more belly fat. On the flip side, when gluten blocks the absorption of calories and nutrients, weight loss could be the result.
Digestive Problems…
Bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, or constipation are among the first signs of a gluten problem. Become your own health detective and observe if you consistently experience the symptoms mentioned above after eating certain foods containing wheat or gluten. Stomach pain and other digestive discomforts immediately following ingestion are usually a health-depleting response communication your body is trying to relay to you.
Skin Issues…
Itchy Rashes, Psoriasis, Eczema, “Chicken Skin” and Acne are all manifestations of the body not being able to handle something, often, gluten. The skin is often the first organ that an invader and/or intolerance will use to show itself. Often the connection is hard to make; yet, food sensitivities like gluten can cause inflammatory conditions throughout the body, especially the skin. If a food or substance impacts your gut and bloodstream, it will most likely show up in the skin too.
Many people try eliminating gluten from their diets to see if they notice any changes with these symptoms. With trial and error, they find success, good eats, and relief. But it’s important to visit a nutritionally-aware physician or health professional for testing to verify whether you have one of these conditions. Don’t dart to the gluten-free section of your store just yet!…get tested.
The tiny bumps known as “chicken skin” generally occur on the backs of the arms, on cheeks and thighs. These small bumps aren’t cosmetically appealing but don’t typically cause other symptoms or harm other than you are sensitive to gluten…AND… that in itself causes other health issues including wide-spread inflammation.
Causes of Keratosis Pilaris “Chicken Skin”
Although this disorder is known to have a specific genetic factor, scientists do not know the true cause of keratosis pilaris. It is seen more commonly in inflammatory conditions such as asthma, allergies, fibromyalgia, and is associated with dry skin, vitamin A and essential fatty acid deficiency. Exacerbations and remissions may occur with times of hormonal change such as pregnancy.
There are no studies indicating a direct correlation between gluten ingestion and keratosis pilaris. However, it can be caused by vitamin A deficiency or essential fatty acid deficiency, both of which can occur with impaired absorption. If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity you theoretically might suffer from keratosis pilaris flare-ups if you are consuming gluten and have ongoing inflammation and/or malabsorption.
Keratosis pilaris: often described as “chicken skin” – it looks like little bumps that commonly present on the back of or upper arms.
Natural Rejuvenation Therapies…
The most commonly used integrative therapy is to supplement the diet with omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil. In addition to providing the essential fatty acids that may be lacking, these supplements also have strong anti-inflammatory effects. Dietary modifications such as gluten- or dairy-free, avoidance of nightshades known to accelerate inflammation, sugar-free, and various autoimmune diet protocols are often implemented. A variety of ‘gut healing’ regimens are also recommended by your nutritionally-aware health professional or Wholistic Rejuvenist practitioner.
Topical therapies may include coconut oil, olive oil or vitamin A capsules. Finally, exfoliants such as baking soda, oatmeal, sugar or salt scrubs are sometimes helpful in reducing keratin build-up. Most people do not seek treatment for keratosis pilaris unless it is cosmetically significant, so home therapies are a popular approach.
Nutrition…
Despite the lack of studies indicating a correlation between diet and keratosis pilaris, aside from the previously mentioned vitamin A and EFA deficiency, there are many anecdotal reports, including from my patients, of improvement with dietary modifications. Increasing essential fatty acid intake by consuming more cold-water fish such as sardines, mackerel and salmon may bring improvement. AND, don’t forget walnuts are a great vegan source of essential fatty acids.
Although I have seen patients in my office for over thirty years improve their keratosis pilaris with gluten elimination, the only long-lasting benefits include supporting/healing intestinal health and avoiding foods in the nightshade genre.
Because keratosis pilaris is inflammatory in nature it also makes sense that anti-inflammatory diet protocols and avoidance of foods/ingredients known to induce inflammation, and lifestyle changes such as stress reduction, mindfulness techniques and proper sleep hygiene would have a positive effect on remission.
The Way I See It…
If you’re not medically diagnosed as celiac, you may want to add an enzyme blend to help with digestion of gluten for that occasional celebration, meal in your favorite restaurant, or dinner at family members who doesn’t understand your sensitivities. Gluten Digest™ is a professional product formulated with targeted support to help enzymatic breakdown of gluten containing a scientific breakthrough ingredient known as Tolerase®G. It’s formulated to offer timely, effective support for those avoiding gluten or those with sensitivity to it. You can order it from the exclusive supplier of all products approved by Dr. Gloria, Natural Rejuvenation Solutions. Click their link to order: www.naturalrejuvenation.soltutions, if you don’t see what you need, call Toll-free (888) 352.8175 Mon. – Thurs. 8: to 2: Pacific Time.