3 Sneaky Ways Gluten Intolerance Can Manifest
Usually when someone thinks of gluten sensitivity, they think of digestive symptoms, like bloating or heartburn, but symptoms are not limited to the digestive tract. You can be sensitive to gluten and not even know it, as sensitivity can manifest in all different forms and to varying degrees.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats, but forms of gluten are nearly everywhere, in packaged foods, sauces, candy, chocolate, make up, medications, supplements and even skin care products.
Why is Gluten a Problem For So Many People?
For one, it's everywhere. If we don't have a healthy gut lining, we start to react to foods we eat most often, gluten being one of those foods. The DNA of wheat has also changed significantly over the years; it used to have 14 chromosomes and it now has 42! It's genetically modified for a more desirable texture and to be more resistant to the elements, sprayed with harmful chemicals like glyphosate to fend off pests and is often highly processed. Lastly, it’s super addictive due to chemicals called gluteomorphins.
Gluten Can Cause Major Gut Problems
Even if you don't have gut symptoms, sensitivity always starts with a leaky gut. Common gut symptoms include gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, pain and reflux. Gluten creates leaky gut by damaging cells in the intestinal wall. Gliadin in wheat produces a protein called zonulin, which signals the cells in the intestinal lining to separate. Studies have shown that even in non-celiac individuals, meaning those who don’t have an allergy, it still creates inflammation in the gut. Though much more work is needed, for those dealing with IBS or IBD, removing gluten is a crucial step toward allowing the gut to heal. My clients often experience noticeable changes in digestion in the first couple weeks of changing their diet.
Gluten Can Drain Your Energy
Food sensitivities are one of the most common causes of fatigue. Gluten contributes to fatigue because of the burden it creates on the gut and immune system. When we eat something containing gluten, the immune system often sees it as a foreign invader it needs to attack, which overtime can suppress immunity and deplete adrenal function. Additionally, it can affect thyroid function, which is an extremely common cause of fatigue, especially among women. If the body sees gluten as a “toxin”, it activates the fight-or-flight response, which overtime can leave us exhausted.
Is Gluten Intolerance the Reason You’re Anxious or Depressed?
There’s something called the gut-brain axis that strongly links gut function to mental health. We produce neurotransmitters in the gut like serotonin, dopamine and even melatonin (if you're not sleeping well, gluten could be a factor), that make us feel happy and motivated. When these neurotransmitters aren’t firing properly due to deficiencies, poor digestive function, absorption or other reasons, we can struggle with mental health.
Food sensitivities, including to gluten, can contribute to anxiety, depression and other mental health issues because of the stress, inflammation and immune reaction that occurs when we eat those foods. Due to leaky gut, poorly digested foods like gluten, toxins and pathogens end up circulating in the body, causing inflammation and even cross the blood brain barrier, affecting the brain. Furthermore, gluten and refined carbs can create imbalances in blood sugar, resulting in mood issues, brain fog and fatigue.
What Now?
To properly test for gluten sensitivity, all forms must be eliminated for a minimum of 30 days. Try it yourself or ideally work with a nutritionist to see if gluten may be contributing to your fatigue, gut issues and inflammation.
Asher Kleiber
Registered Holistic Nutritionist™
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