10 signs that you may be gluten intolerant
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats and ingredients derived from these grains. Obvious forms of gluten include breakfast cereals, cakes, biscuits, pizza, pasta, batter and breadcrumbs unless made from gluten free grains.
If you have any of the following symptoms it could be a sign of gluten intolerance:
- Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhoea, and even constipation. Constipation is particularly common amongst children after eating gluten
- Keratosis Pilaris (also known as chicken skin on the back of your arms). This tends to be the result of a fatty acid deficiency and vitamin A secondary to fat-malabsorption caused by gluten damaging the gut
- Fatigue, brain fog or feeling tired after eating a meal that contains gluten
- Diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as Hasimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus, psoriasis, scleroderma or multiple sclerosis
- Neurologic symptoms such as dizziness or feeling of being off balance
- Hormonal imbalances such as PMS, PCOS or unexplained infertility
- Migraine headaches
- Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia.
- Inflammation, swelling or pain in your joints such as fingers, knees, hips
- Mood issues such as anxiety, depression, mood swings and ADD
How to test for gluten intolerance?
One of the most simple and best ways to determine if you have an issue with gluten is to do an elimination diet and take it out of your diet for at least 2 to 3 weeks and then reintroduce it. Please note that gluten is a very large protein and it can take months and even years to clear from your system so the longer you can eliminate it from your diet before reintroducing it, the better.
In order to get accurate results from this testing method you must elimination 100% of the gluten from your diet.
How to treat gluten intolerance?
Eliminating gluten 100% from your diet means 100%. Even trace amounts of gluten from cross contamination or medications or supplements can be enough to cause an immune reaction in your body. An article published in 2001 states that for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity eating gluten just once a month increased the relative risk of death by 600%.
If your still unsure seek out an integrative health practitioner to help to guide you.