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WHAT IS GLUTEN?
Gluten is found primarily in wheat, but also in rye and barley. It makes up the protein part of these grains and is the substance that makes bread dough elastic. |
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In a small proportion of people, gluten can’t be properly digested, resulting in the surface of the intestine becoming damaged and inflamed - a condition known as Coeliac disease. The knock on effect is poor absorption of various nutrients, including essential fats, vitamins and minerals, like calcium and iron. Very sensitive Coeliacs may react to oats as well as gluten-containing grains.
If eating bread, pasta and other grain based foods make you feel sick, tired and generally unwell, there’s a possibility that your body is reacting to gluten.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms are diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, mouth ulcers and tiredness. Untreated, Coeliac disease can lead to nutrient deficiency problems, including iron deficiency anaemia, weight loss and osteoporosis.
If you think you might have Coeliac disease it’s vital you get a proper diagnosis - which involves an initial blood test to screen for certain antibodies followed by a biopsy procedure. It is very important that you don’t remove wheat and gluten from your diet before having these tests as your diagnosis will be affected.
Visit our ‘Links’ section for more information on testing for Coeliac disease.
TREATMENT
If you are diagnosed with Coeliac disease, the only treatment is abstention from gluten for life, as the condition permanently damages the gut wall.
Did you know?
It’s now estimated that one in a hundred people have Coeliac disease, but a proportion of these go undiagnosed. |
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If Coeliac disease has been ruled out, but you still feel uncomfortable and bloated most of the time after food, it’s possible you may still be suffering from wheat intolerance.
SYMPTOMS
Wheat intolerance can produce bloating, wind, tiredness, migraines and general malaise. Unlike the more serious Coeliac disease, wheat intolerance may improve after some time of wheat avoidance.
TREATMENT
If you think wheat may be your problem, you could try cutting out bread, wheat-based breakfast cereals, pittas, naan, pizza and anything with wheat, flour or starch on the labels. Do it for a few weeks and evaluate the way you feel in about a month (keep a symptom diary if it helps). If you feel better (it usually takes only a few days), continue for 6 months more. It takes at least this long to give your gut, which is usually the weak link in food intolerance, a chance to repair itself.
Always seek help from a dietician for more thorough advice.
Did you know?
Consultants who specialise in food allergy and intolerance (there are very few in the UK) estimate that the amount of people who suffer from any type of food intolerance is as high 10-25%. Wheat and dairy intolerances are the most common of these. |
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