Gluten intolerance is a very common situation. Undesirable reactions occur against gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
Celiac disease, gluten intoleranceis the most severe form of. It is an autoimmune disease that affects about 1% of the population and can cause damage to the digestive system.
However, 0.5-13% of people may have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, a milder form of gluten allergy.
Here gluten intolerance Things to know about ...
What is Gluten Intolerance?
Gluten is also categorized as a solitary protein due to its unique elastic form.
Many studies have shown that the painful and particularly harmful health complications of gluten are triggered by the chemical structure of the protein.
Gluten intoleranceA chemical reaction occurs in the immune system of the person suffering from the disease because the person's immune system recognizes the substance as a toxic component rather than as a protein, causing an adverse reaction that compromises the immune system.
Gluten intolerance One of the main reasons people are advised to switch to a gluten-free diet is that the chemical reaction caused by the protein not only affects the stomach, but also causes unexplained changes in different parts of the body.
These changes can trigger abnormal immune system reactions to different types of food and allergens, leading to more serious health effects and complications.
Gluten intolerancehave an adverse reaction of the immune system to gluten-rich foods non-celiac gluten intolerance It is also called.
Causes of Gluten Intolerance
Causes of gluten intolerance between; general nutrition and nutrient density of the person, damage to the intestinal flora, immune status, genetic factors and hormonal balance.
The fact that gluten causes a variety of symptoms in many people is primarily related to its effects on the digestive system and gut.
Gluten is considered an "antinutrient" and is therefore difficult to digest for almost all people with or without gluten intolerance.
Antinutrients are some substances found naturally in plant foods, including grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Plants contain antinutrients as an established defense mechanism; Just like humans and animals, they have a biological necessity to survive and reproduce.
Since plants were unable to protect themselves from predators by escaping, they evolved to protect their species by carrying antinutrient "toxins".
Gluten is a type of antinutrient found in grains that has the following effects when eaten by humans:
- It can interfere with normal digestion and cause bloating, gas, constipation and diarrhea due to its effect on bacteria living in the gut.
- In some cases, by damaging the inner surface of the intestine "leaky gut syndromeMay cause autoimmune reactions.
- It binds to certain amino acids (proteins), essential vitamins and minerals, making them non-absorbable.
What are the Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance?
Swelling
Swellingis the swelling of the abdomen after eating. This is uncomfortable. Bloating is very common and although it has many explanations, it also gluten intoleranceIt could be a sign of.
Swelling, gluten intoleranceIt is one of the most common complaints against. One study showed that 87% of people suspected of non-celiac gluten sensitivity experienced bloating.
Diarrhea and Constipation
Occasional diarrhea ve constipation it is normal, but if it happens regularly may be a cause for concern. These are also a common symptom of gluten intolerance.
People with celiac disease experience inflammation of the gut after eating gluten.
This damages the intestinal lining and leads to poor nutrient absorption, leading to significant digestive upset and often diarrhea or constipation.
However, gluten can also cause digestive symptoms in some people without celiac disease. More than 50% of individuals sensitive to gluten experience diarrhea regularly and 25% experience constipation.
Also, individuals with celiac disease may experience pale colored and foul-smelling stools due to poor nutrient absorption.
It can often cause some major health problems such as diarrhea, electrolyte loss, dehydration, and fatigue.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain it is very common and can provide many explanations for this symptom. However, also gluten intoleranceis also the most common symptom. Those with gluten intolerance83% of people experience abdominal pain and discomfort after eating gluten.
Headache
Many people experience headaches or migraines. Migraineis a common condition and most people live it regularly. Studies, gluten intolerance showed that individuals with symptoms may be more prone to migraine than others.
If you have regular headaches or migraines for no apparent reason, you may be sensitive to gluten.
Feeling Tired
Fatigue it is very common and usually not linked to any disease. However, if you feel very tired all the time, there may be an underlying cause.
Gluten intolerance Individuals with a diet feel tired, especially after eating gluten-containing foods. Studies have shown that 60-82% of gluten-intolerant individuals experience fatigue and weakness.
The second reason to use the gluten intolerance It can also cause iron deficiency anemia, resulting in more fatigue and energy loss.
Skin Problems
Gluten intolerance It can also affect the skin. A blistering skin condition called dermatitis herpetiformis is the skin manifestation of celiac disease.
Everyone with the disease is sensitive to gluten, but less than 10% of patients have digestive symptoms that may indicate celiac disease.
In addition, several other skin conditions improved after following a gluten-free diet. These diseases are as follows:
Psoriasis (psoriasis)
It is an inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by shrinkage and redness of the skin.
Alopecia areata (ringworm)
It is an autoimmune disease seen as non-scarring hair loss.
Chronic urticaria
Skin condition characterized by recurrent, itchy, pink or red lesions of pale center.
Depression
Depression It affects about 6% of adults each year.
People with digestive issues appear to be more prone to both anxiety and depression compared to healthy individuals.
This is particularly common among people with celiac disease. Gluten intoleranceThere are several theories as to how can cause depression:
Abnormal serotonin levels
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that allows cells to communicate. It is generally known as one of the "happiness" hormones. Decreased amounts are associated with depression.
Gluten exophins
These peptides are formed during the digestion of some of the gluten proteins. They can interfere with the central nervous system, which can increase the risk of depression.
Changes in intestinal flora
Increased amounts of harmful bacteria and decreased amounts of beneficial bacteria can affect the central nervous system and increase the risk of depression.
Many studies self-reported gluten intolerance They want depressed individuals to maintain a gluten-free diet to feel better, even if their digestive symptoms do not resolve.
It, gluten intoleranceIt suggests that it may provoke a feeling of depression on its own, regardless of digestive symptoms.
Unexplained Weight Loss
An unexpected weight change is often alarming. Although it can be caused by a variety of reasons, unexplained weight loss is a common side effect of undiagnosed celiac disease.
In one study in patients with celiac disease, two-thirds lost weight within six months. Weight loss combined with poor nutrient absorption can be explained by a variety of digestive symptoms.
Anemia Due to Iron Deficiency
Anemia due to iron deficiencyis the most common nutrient deficiency in the world. Iron deficiency causes symptoms such as low blood volume, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, pale skin, and weakness.
In celiac disease, nutrient absorption in the intestine is impaired, which causes a decrease in the amount of iron absorbed from the food. Iron-deficiency anemia may be among the first symptoms of celiac disease that the doctor reports.
Recent research suggests that iron deficiency may be important in both children and adults with celiac disease.
Anxiety
Anxietycan affect 3-30% of people worldwide. It includes feelings of anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and agitation. What's more, it is often closely associated with depression.
Gluten intolerance individuals with anxiety seem to be more prone to anxiety and panic disorders than healthy individuals.
In addition, a study is self-reported gluten intoleranceIt was revealed that 40% of individuals who have had regular anxiety.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack your digestive system after eating gluten.
Having this autoimmune disease makes you more susceptible to other autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune thyroid disease.
What's more, autoimmune thyroid disorders can be a risk factor for developing emotional and depressive disorders.
This is also type 1 diabetesmakes celiac disease more common in people with autoimmune liver diseases and other autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Joint and Muscle Pain
There are many reasons why a person may experience joint and muscle pain. There is a theory that people with celiac disease have a genetically hypersensitive nervous system.
Therefore, there may be lower thresholds for activating sensory neurons that cause pain in muscles and joints.
Also, exposure to gluten can cause inflammation in gluten sensitive individuals. Inflammation can cause widespread pain, including joints and muscles.
Leg or Arm Numbness
Gluten intoleranceAnother surprising symptom is neuropathy with numbness or tingling in the arms and legs.
This condition is common in individuals with diabetes and vitamin B12 deficiency. It can also be caused by toxicity and alcohol consumption.
However, people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance appear to have a higher risk of experiencing arm and leg numbness compared to healthy control groups.
Although the exact cause is unknown, some gluten intolerance It has attributed to the presence of some antibodies associated with it.
Brain Fog
"Brain fog" refers to the feeling of mental confusion. Forgetfulness is defined as trouble thinking or mental fatigue.
Having brain fog, gluten intoleranceIt is a common symptom of gluten and affects 40% of individuals who do not tolerate gluten.
This symptom may occur with a reaction to certain antibodies in gluten, but the exact cause is unknown.
Chronic Respiratory Complications
To extreme cough, rhinitis, breathing problems, otitis and sore throat gluten intolerance why could it be.
Gluten intolerance and respiratory complications suggest that people with celiac disease have a doubling risk of asthma compared to those without the disorder. In the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology It was highlighted in a 2011 report published.
Osteoporosis
Eating foods and products containing gluten can be bad for the immune system, which can lead to many medical complications and immune system reactions.
The immune system reacts to the antigen threat, protecting the body from toxic and harmful substances.
Proteins created by the immune system are known as antigens.
These are found on the inner surface of cells and on the surfaces of viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Antigens will react adversely only when they fail to identify and eliminate the antigen-containing substance and will begin to attack healthier cells.
Dental complications
According to a research study and article published in 2012, it was determined that gluten causes the body to react negatively to one of the primary sources of protein that supports the production of tooth enamel because the protein attaches fairly easily to the teeth and becomes a haven for microorganisms.
Imbalance in Hormone Levels
Especially in women gluten intolerance It is a common trigger of hormonal imbalance. This happens due to gliadin, a protein found in different gluten-containing grains.
Infertility
Gluten intolerance It can also cause different infertility complications, miscarriage, and abnormal menstruation; This is mainly because gluten can upset the hormonal balance.
Anaphylaxis
In some extremely rare and severe cases, gluten intolerance People with anaphylaxis may experience fatal and recurrent anaphylaxis, mainly due to sensitivity to gliadin.
According to research reports published by the Department of Dermatology at the University of Helsinki, gliadine, a soluble protein substance found in allergens and wheat, gluten intolerance It was concluded that it may cause anaphylaxis in people who have it.
How to Understand Gluten Intolerance?
Gluten intoleranceCorrect diagnosis of is vital.
Sensitivity to gluten is recognized by the immune system's abnormal or adverse reaction to gluten, and it produces antibodies to combat a protein known as gliadin.
These antibodies can be identified through a blood test and stool evaluation.
The immune system's response to food mainly occurs in the intestinal tract, and bowel movement is the only way to remove food from the intestinal tract, so stool testing is much more accurate when testing for celiac disease.
Potential gluten intolerance If the blood work of an individual with a history does not reveal the antibodies mentioned above, it is quite possible that the intestinal tract of that person contains gliadin residues, so doctors will first order a stool test to confirm any diagnosis.
Stool examination
Immunological to all humans by blood test gluten intolerance cannot be diagnosed.
Sometimes the blood test can lead to misdiagnosis, which can lead to many other health complications as well.
According to a scientific research report, the person's stool is to identify traces of antigliadin antibodies and the patient in question. Symptom of gluten intolerance and whether it starts to show its symptoms or not can be used effectively for gliadin.
The immune cells of the stomach maintain and align your body's largest mass of internal tissue.
This tissue acts as a shield against bacteria, viruses and foreign invaders, also known as antigens.
The primary defense that the immune system has against these antigens is in the form of IgA secretion secreted in the intestinal lumen, a hollow region in your stomach where antibodies produced by the immune system combine to eliminate foreign aggressors.
Since these antibodies can never be reabsorbed by the body, they are eliminated by bowel movement, which is the rationale behind stool examination.
Intestinal Biopsy
Blood report celiac disease or gluten intolerance Once it shows, the next step is to perform a biopsy of the intestinal tract to confirm the blood work, but gluten intoleranceMay be suspected only if an allergy to wheat and celiac disease is rejected.
How Is Gluten Intolerance Treated?
The best and only treatment available for gluten-sensitive individuals is to avoid gluten-containing foods altogether.
Gluten intolerance It is an autoimmune disorder and there is no cure. It can only be managed by avoiding foods or products that contain gluten.
Diagnosing gluten intolerance the person put must follow a gluten-free diet determined by the doctor.
Foods to Avoid for Gluten Intolerance
Gluten intolerance In addition to avoiding grains such as wheat, rye and barley, it is also necessary to avoid some unexpected foods that may contain gluten, so check the labels of these foods:
Canned soups
- beer and malt drinks
Flavored chips and crackers
Salad dressings
Soup mixes
Shop-bought sauces
Soy sauce
- Deli / processed meat
Ground spices
Some supplements
What to Eat Gluten Intolerance?
Some natural gluten-free foods that are rich in nutrients include:
- Quinoa
Buckwheat
Brown rice
- Sorghum
- Teff
Gluten-free oats
- millet
Nuts and seeds
- Fruits and vegetables
Beans and legumes
- High quality organic meats and poultry
Wild seafood
Raw / fermented dairy products such as kefir
Gluten intoleranceIf you suspect it, do not attempt to diagnose yourself.
If you think you may be sensitive to gluten, for example if you are experiencing signs and symptoms, see a doctor right away.
For the following main reasons gluten intolerance You should see a doctor to:
- If you have chronic stomach problems such as diarrhea, if you think you are losing weight, or if you are experiencing bloating and abdominal pain. All of these, gluten intoleranceare important symptoms of.
If you have celiac disease and it is left untreated, it can cause a large number of nutrient and vitamin deficiencies and also damage the small intestine.
Someone in your family with celiac disease or gluten intolerance If you've been diagnosed, see a doctor right away.
Do you have gluten intolerance? What situations do you face? Let us know the problems you are experiencing as a comment.
