Going “gluten free” seems to be all the rage these days. Some dismiss it as just another trend, but the truth is that gluten intolerance is real — and it’s a serious problem. Gluten is now associated with more than 50 diseases, and some estimate that as many as 99% of people are gluten intolerant and never diagnosed.
Wikipedia defines gluten (from Latin gluten, “glue”) as “a protein composite found in wheat and related grains, including barley and rye. Gluten gives elasticity to dough, helping it rise and keep its shape and often gives the final product a chewy texture.”
Just the idea of “glue” in one’s body alone suggests that gluten probably isn’t good for you. The body is a highly intelligent organism with delicate systems, and it resonates with simple, clean food that supports it — not complex, gooey, “gluey” things that junk it up and slow it down.
That said, not everyone is gluten intolerant; some people appear to have no problems with it at all. Other people notice they don’t feel well after eating it, and others — particularly those with Celiac disease — can become very ill from eating it.
As good as gluten-rich breads, pastas and crackers can taste, some people’s bodies aren’t tolerating it well, and in many cases are suffering for it. To see whether it might be a problem for you, be aware of how you feel after eating it. If you notice that you regularly don’t feel well, investigate further whether you’d benefit from cutting gluten out of your diet and consider talking to your doctor about it.
Here are 7 signs that your body may be gluten intolerant:
1. Gastrointestinal problems. Diarrhea, bloating and constipation could indicate that you’re gluten intolerant.
2. Migraines. Intense headaches, especially close to consuming products that contain gluten, are another sign.
3. Chronic fatigue. If you feel tired a lot, gluten could be a culprit, especially if you have some of the other signs of intolerance.
4. Joint pain. Gluten can cause inflammation, which in turn causes joint pain.
5. Thyroid problems. Research has found connections between gluten intolerance and thyroid disorder.
6. Poor absorption of vitamins and nutrients. This is a common sign that gluten is interfering with your stomach lining’s ability to absorb nutrients from food.
7. Skin rash. Extremely itchy skin rashes such as keratosis pilaris and dermatitis herpetiformis could be related to gluten intolerance.
Note that the above symptoms or combination of them could be related to many things other than gluten intolerance. If you’re experiencing any of these on a regular basis, it may be time to see a doctor.
Article Image Source: Rik Loma