Some Go Against the Grain

Gluten is in the news a lot lately -- and for this I am grateful! It may mean that gluten intolerance and celiac disease (gluten allergy) will be more at the forefront of thinking in our medical community. As a nutritionist I see quite a few clients each year who come to me with "mystery symptoms" that have been unsuccessfully treated with antacids and stress reduction. Part of the difficulty is that the symptoms of a sensitivity to gluten can be really varied, even within the same person depending on what else is eaten at the same time.

Symptoms of gluten intolerance can include:

• Unintentional weight loss or gain
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Intestinal gas
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Fatty stool
• Aching joints
• Depression or anxiety
• Eczema and other skin issues
• Head aches
• Chronic rhinitis (runny nose) or sinus infections
• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Irritability or behavioral changes
• Infertility, irregular menstrual cycle or miscarriage
• Muscle cramps
• Tingling and/or numbness in the extremities
• Slow infant and child growth
• Poor dental health

Other problems can arise over time as nutritional deficiencies develop due to malabsorbtion (i.e. low iron levels and low levels of vitamin D). Of course, these deficiencies can then exacerbate the above symptoms or create whole new sets.

If you think you or a child in your life may be sensitive to gluten, there is an easy way to do a "real world" test. It's a tried and true method of home detective work. Try going without any gluten for 2 weeks. None. Nada. You have to be careful and read all labels to be sure. Keep in mind that it is hidden in lots of things like soy sauce and food additives. If your symptoms improve, you are likely sensitive. If you want to put it to the test, on the last day of your 2 weeks off, start the day with french toast, followed by a grilled cheese sandwich and a pasta dinner. If the symptoms return with a vengence then you can be pretty sure you need to avoid gluten. CAUTION: if you are actually celiac (truely allergic) DO NOT do the rechallenge portion of the experiment. True celiac disease is progressive and the more gluten/wheat you consume, the worse the disease gets.

Lab testing for gluten sensitivity is fairly ineffective when limited to blood work. Since the reactions are primarily in the gut, the best testing to do is stool testing. If you want info on how to get these tests done, please contact me.

More on gluten and gluten-free living in posts to come!