According to the Association of Gluten Intolerants, 1 in 100 people can develop celiac disease in Europe. In addition, only 10 to 20% of cases are diagnosed in France, because many forms of intolerance tend to be confused with other diseases, and therefore go unnoticed. In this article we present the 8 alarming signs of gluten intolerance.
What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease results from the inability or difficulty of digesting gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.
According to Celiac Disease Foudation, it is a serious autoimmune disease that can occur in genetically predisposed people, when the ingestion of gluten causes lesions in the small intestine. This disease can lead to other serious health problems such as type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, dermatitis herpetiformis, anemia, osteoporosis, infertility and miscarriage, etc.
The 8 alarming signs of Gluten intolerance
Digestive problems
Digestive problems associated with gluten intolerance include excessive gas, bloating, constipation and frequent diarrhea. However, besides these abdominal discomfort, the cells of the intestine are also damaged, which leads to malabsorption of vitamins and minerals.
Dizziness
Gluten intolerance can cause dizziness and mental confusion. This is because antibodies produced during gluten ingestion attack the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain responsible for coordination.
Mood changes
According to Dr. De Latour, mood changes, depression and / or anxiety after eating gluten-containing foods are a symptom in people with celiac disease.
In this sense, a study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics in 2014 found that people with gluten intolerance reported increased depression after only three days of gluten consumption.
Headache
A study published in the medical journal Headache found that 56% of people sensitive to gluten and 30% of people with celiac disease suffered from chronic headaches.
Skin problems
Gluten-sensitive people usually suffer from skin problems, such as itching, very dry, scaly skin, rashes, acne, and eczema patches.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons. In addition, although it is linked to many factors, and its origin is not often well defined, experts believe that the elimination of gluten from the diet can help control these symptoms.
Chronic fatigue
According to Dr. De Latour, diet is one of the most important factors in your energy level. Many people with celiac disease report that their energy has skyrocketed after giving up gluten.
Lactose allergy
Lactose intolerance develops because of the loss of lactase, an enzyme that digests milk sugar all the way down the lining of the small intestine.
Caution
- It should be noted that the only cure for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet.
- Even if you do not have any of these symptoms, it is strongly recommended to vary your diet, as excessive consumption of gluten can lead to serious long-term complications.
It is important that your gluten-free diet is balanced, healthy and varied. It's easy nowadays to find a myriad of gluten-free food lines.
