
Gluten intolerance is the most common gluten-related ailment affecting close to 13% of the general population. Symptoms of this health complication are very similar to irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and wheat allergy, but it is its own distinct medical diagnosis.
Unfortunately, the lack of conventional diagnostic markers makes diagnostic difficult, leaving many without a diagnosis or solution to their symptoms. This article will discuss gluten intolerance, a functional medicine approach to evaluation and diagnosis. Read on below to unearth more!
What is Gluten Sensitivity?
Before undergoing a gluten sensitivity test, it always pays off to know what you’re dealing with in the first place. Well, gluten sensitivity is the presence of intestinal and/or extraintestinal symptoms after consuming gluten. These individuals don’t have celiac disease or wheat allergy, but experience symptomatic improvement when gluten is eliminated from their diet.
Keep in mind gluten sensitivity is a clinical distinct medical diagnosis from celiac disease and wheat allergy. If this is not enough, celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that results in inflammation and damage to the small intestine after consuming gluten.
Nutrition for Gluten Sensitivity
It is worth mentioning that first-line therapy with patients with gluten intolerance is to remove food sensitivities: gluten-containing foods and any identified cross-reactive foods. Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet is highly recommended for at least one year for patients with gluten sensitivity.
Moreover, some patients with gluten intolerance may immensely benefit from reducing the consumption of high-FODMAP foods. A low FODMAP diet is aimed at reducing certain types of carbohydrates from the diet. If this is not enough, it has the potential to reduce GI symptoms in patients with NCGS and wheat-sensitive irritable bowel syndrome.
The Bottom Line
Gluten sensitivity is a type of adverse food reaction to gluten-containing foods, distinct from celiac disease and wheat allergy. Since conventional biomarkers are unavailable to diagnose gluten sensitivity, it often goes undiagnosed, leading to many debilitating digestive and extraintestinal symptoms to similar to celiac disease. Be sure to prioritize gluten sensitivity test for things to work in your favor.