Gluten sensitivity is linked to a number of health issues from digestive problems to migraine headaches. If someone is gluten intolerant, it can cause all kinds of unpleasant symptoms, depending on an individual’s sensitivity.
The “sticky” protein, which is found in wheat, barley and rye, most commonly causes bowel irritation. If your intestinal wall is constantly irritated, it can cause the lining of your gut to become inflamed. This in turn can aggravate the microvilli lining your small intestine. If your microvilli are affected, you may not absorb the nutrients from your food effectively, which may result in a “leaky gut”. Once this happens, people can develop more serious, chronic health concerns.
It should be noted that people diagnosed with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, fibromyalgia or celiac disease are often advised by health professionals to go gluten-free, but these conditions are not caused by gluten sensitivity.
Here’s a list of symptoms that may indicate you have a sensitivity to gluten:
1. Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Unfortunately, if someone has had digestive issues for a long time, they may not realize they are sensitive because they will dismiss the mild symptoms as “normal”.
2. Food allergies or food intolerances. Many people that have gluten intolerance will also be sensitive to dairy, wheat and eggs, although they may have other unrelated food allergies.
3. Dizziness. Many people with sensitivity to gluten describe being foggy headed or being off balance after eating.
4. Candida overgrowth. The yeast naturally occurs in your gut, but if your intestine becomes inflamed, candida tends to flourish, which may exacerbate digestive problems.
5. Chronic fatigue. If you feel tired all the time it could be your body fighting the unwanted gluten protein.
6. Mood issues such as depression, anxiety. If your gut feels uncomfortable all the time and you have a leaky gut, you might find yourself being more irritable, anxious or unhappy.
7. Skin issues such as dry, itchy skin or eczema or psoriasis.
8. Migraines. Many people describe getting serious headaches usually within an hour of eating.
If you suspect you may have gluten intolerance, talk to your doctor or a certified nutritionist about what you may be able to do to confirm the problem and improve your health.
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