There are many reasons people go gluten free.
Some people have Celiac Disease, some have Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) and some with digestive issues and even depression or mood imbalances find they feel better eliminating gluten. Some people also have an allergy to wheat. It’s also true that up to 70% of people who have Celiac don’t know it because they have ZERO digestive issues so it goes undiagnosed.
Celiac disease will cause swelling or inflammation of the small intestine from the smallest level of gluten. It may also affect other organs like the liver, lungs, stomach, and heart. It does not happen right away; however, if not treated, individuals will eventually become incapable of digesting essential minerals and vitamins to keep their bodies working well. They may experience huge amounts of weight loss, tiredness, bloating, or headaches. Gluten intolerance can also cause many symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease and NCGS?
The most common signs are:
- Bloating and gas
- Lactose intolerance
- Decreased or increased appetite
- Unexplained weight loss as well as fatigue
- Indigestion as well as abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Constant or irregular diarrhea
- Joint pain and muscle cramps
- Depression or anxiety
- Bruising, hair loss, and itchy skin
- Mouth ulcers and nose bleeds
- Missed menstruation
- Seizures
Gluten intolerance can result in significant vitamin deficiencies and can eventually affect your brain, peripheral nervous system, liver, bones, and other important organs. Adults experiencing celiac disease are also more inclined to develop autoimmune disorders, type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, intestinal cancer, bone disease, anemia, infertility, hypoglycemia, or liver disease. Kids with gluten intolerance show additional signs such as delayed puberty, problems with tooth color and enamel, irritable behavior, poor weight gain, and growth delays.
This is where testing can be crucial to understand how your immune system is reacting to gluten and wheat. You can try an elimination diet for gluten and see how you feel without it and what you notice when you try to reintroduce it. Or you opt to get the data so you know once and for all. When I work with clients who want to see it for their own eyes, we use the Wheat Zoomer from Vibrant Wellness and also test for Celiac genes.
