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Are you going from bread to bloating? Millions of people feel off after eating bread, and there are different causes for this. The terms surrounding digestive issues after eating anything containing gluten can quickly become overwhelming. Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and wheat allergy – what are the differences, and what causes your issues after eating gluten-related foods? In this article, CARE dives into the differences between celiacs and gluten intolerance. Learn about distinguishing between these medical conditions and moving forward without digestive issues.
Published in General Health
6 min read · Mar 17, 2024
Celiac disease (spelled Coeliac disease in British English) is an autoimmune disorder where consuming gluten leads to the production of antibodies that damage the lining of your small intestines. Gluten Intolerance, referred to as non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), involves experiencing symptoms similar to Celiac disease without a responsible autoimmune response or intestinal damage. [1]
A third condition frequently confused with celiac disease or gluten intolerance is the wheat allergy. While an immune response also causes the wheat allergy, your immune system reacts to specific proteins found in wheat, which makes it distinct from the autoimmune reaction seen in Celiac Disease. Wheat allergy can result in various allergic symptoms ranging from mild to severe. [1]
While all three involve adverse reactions to gluten or wheat, their underlying biological mechanisms and manifestations differ.
We will sum this up once more below:
Definition: An autoimmune disease where eating gluten damages your small intestine. In celiac disease, a specific wheat protein—called gluten — causes an abnormal immune system reaction. The immune system produces antibodies in response to gluten ingestion, and these antibodies target the body's tissues, specifically the small intestine's villi, tiny, fingerlike projections that absorb nutrients from food. [1]
Symptoms: Digestive issues (diarrhea, constipation, bloating), fatigue, weight loss, anemia, dermatitis herpetiformis (skin rash), joint pain, neurological symptoms.
Prevalence: Approximately 1% of the population worldwide.
Treatment: Strict, lifelong gluten-free diet.
Definition: Your body reacts badly when you eat gluten-containing grains or other foods even though you tested negative for celiac disease and wheat allergy. NCGS still needs to be wholly understood by scientists and needs further study. It might even be possible that the bad reactions stem from something else in the grain instead of gluten. [1] [2]
Symptoms: Digestive issues (abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea), fatigue, headache, joint pain, brain fog.
Prevalence: Estimated to affect around 0.5-13% of the population, although precise numbers are unclear since there is no biomarker to diagnose NCGS.
Treatment: Gluten-free diet, although some people may tolerate small amounts of gluten.
Definition: A wheat allergy is often confused with celiac disease, but the condition is different. Wheat allergy occurs when your body produces antibodies to proteins found in wheat. [3]
Symptoms: Skin reactions (hives, eczema), respiratory symptoms (wheezing, nasal congestion, asthma), digestive issues (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), anaphylaxis (rare but severe).
Prevalence: More common in children than adults, estimated prevalence varies widely among different populations.
Treatment: Strictly avoiding wheat and wheat-containing products, carrying an epinephrine auto-injector for emergency use in severe reactions.
Is gluten intolerance the same as coeliac disease? No. Celiac Disease, Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS), and Wheat Allergy involve adverse reactions to components found in wheat or gluten, but their underlying mechanisms are different. Therefore, they require different diagnostic approaches.
Celiac Disease Diagnosis: Blood tests for specific antibodies (anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies and anti-endomysial antibodies), followed by confirmatory intestinal biopsy. [1]
NCGS Diagnosis: Exclusion of Celiac Disease (through a blood test) and wheat allergy, symptom improvement on a gluten-free diet, and relapse upon gluten reintroduction. [1]
Wheat Allergy Diagnosis: Skin prick test, blood tests for specific IgE antibodies, oral food challenge. [1]
If you have celiac disease, you are inherently sensitive to gluten because it triggers an autoimmune response damaging your small intestine. However, having gluten sensitivity doesn't necessarily mean you have celiac disease, as the latter involves a specific autoimmune reaction that can be confirmed through diagnostic tests.
Please never diagnose yourself and have a healthcare professional diagnose the cause of your difficulties when you eat gluten.
Understanding the risk factors for celiac disease and gluten intolerance can help you navigate your medical diagnostic journey to optimize your health.
Both gluten intolerance and celiac disease can be managed effectively through dietary changes. The primary treatment for both conditions involves strictly avoiding gluten-containing foods like wheat, barley, and rye. [1]
For those with celiac disease, adhering to a gluten-free diet is crucial to prevent damage to the lining of the small intestine and avoid long-term health complications. While gluten intolerance doesn't cause the same intestinal damage, avoiding gluten can significantly alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. [1]
Working with a healthcare provider or dietitian is vital to ensure your diet is balanced and nutritious to avoid malnutrition.
Navigating a gluten-free diet can be tricky, primarily since gluten is found in many unexpected foods.
Here's a list of items that often contain gluten, which might surprise you [3]:
Soy Sauce: Many brands of soy sauce are made with wheat, making them a hidden source of gluten.
Salad Dressings: Some salad dressings use wheat-based thickeners or malt vinegar, which contains gluten.
Soups and Broths: Many canned or prepared soups and broths use wheat flour as a thickener.
Processed Meats: Gluten can be found in deli meats, sausages, and hot dogs as a binder or filler.
Imitation Seafood: Products like imitation crab meat often contain wheat as a main ingredient.
Beer: Most beers are made from barley, which is a source of gluten, though gluten-free options are available.
Licorice and Candy: Some candies, including licorice, use wheat flour as a binder.
Communion Wafers: Traditional communion wafers are made from wheat.
Medications and Supplements: Some pills and vitamins use gluten as a binder or filler.
Beauty Products: While not ingested, some beauty products, like lip balms can contain gluten and cause issues for highly sensitive individuals.
Read Labels Carefully: Gluten can hide in unexpected places, such as sauces, condiments, and medications or supplements, so always check the ingredient list.
Choose Naturally Gluten-Free Foods: Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, dairy, nuts, and gluten-free grains like rice, quinoa, and corn.
Be Cautious with Cross-Contamination: Even a tiny amount of gluten can cause symptoms. Use separate cooking utensils and surfaces for gluten-free foods.
Explore Gluten-Free Alternatives: Many stores now offer gluten-free alternatives to your favorite foods, including pasta, bread, and snacks.
Stay Informed: Gluten-free labeling regulations can change, and new gluten-free products are constantly being developed. Keep up with the latest information to safely manage your diet.
Remember, going gluten-free is a significant change, but with careful planning and a bit of creativity, you can enjoy a diverse and delicious diet while maintaining your health.
Now that you’ve fought the battle between celiac disease versus gluten sensitivity, you are equipped to explore which condition leaves you uncomfortable or even horrible after eating bread or gluten.
A comprehensive health check-up at CARE gives you access to top-notch medical tools and provides you with detailed insights into your health status. How healthy you live today greatly determines how healthy and fit you will be as you grow older.
Let your health not be a variable in your future, and empower yourself by taking your preventative healthcare into your own hands with CARE!
Elena is an enthusiastic Health Coach and blog writer at CARE, with a passion for holistic medicine and health. Previously, Elena worked for almost five years as a coach leading retreats, workshops, and seminars. These included mind-body therapy: breath work, meditation, and massage; as well as energy force therapy: reiki, and qi gong; and third expressive therapy: movement, writing and support groups. Elena shares exciting articles on the blog, on the topic of where the alternative and traditional medicine intersect with Western Medicine. Elena is also the driving force behind the CARE community. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, traveling to remote locations and dancing. You might also see her on the lake of Zurich as a coast guard. Join her on her journey to learn more about health and discover the world of preventive medicine! Visit all articles written by Elena!
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