Nutrition

How Many People Really Have Gluten Sensitivity?

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The very word Gluten comes from Latin meaning glue, that should be our first hint that foods containing gluten might want to be avoided.

Essentially, Gluten is composed of proteins, and it is often found in wheat and other related grains,

A great way to remember this, is the acronym, B.R.O.W.S. (like your eye-brows)

B – barley

R – rye

O – oats

W – wheat

S – spelt

The main question that many people have is, “Why does this matter to me?”

As I mentioned before, gluten, the composite protein found in wheat and other grains, is derived from the word, “glue’.  That is what essentially this type of grain when broken down in your digestive system may tend to do.

It is estimated that 1 in 133 Americans, or about 1% of the population, has some form of Gluten intolerance, wheat allergy or celiac disease which basically is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley.

According to Doctor Amy Myers, there are more than 55 diseases related to some form of gluten intolerance.

Gluten intolerance may be linked to a number of symptoms, such as:

  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Chronic diseases
  • Skin eruptions, eczema, cold sores, acne
  • Fatigue
  • Joint pain
  • Indigestion
  • Bloating Gas
  • Heartburn
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Congestion
  • Anxiety
  • Moodiness or irritability
  • Headaches or migraines

Myers lists in her article,  10 signs that you may be Gluten intolerant, here they are:

1. Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea and even constipation. I see the constipation particularly in children after eating gluten.
2. Keratosis Pilaris, (also known as ‘chicken skin’ on the back of your arms). This tends be as a result of a fatty acid deficiency and vitamin A deficiency secondary to fat-malabsorption caused by gluten damaging the gut.
3. Fatigue, brain fog or feeling tired after eating a meal that contains gluten.
4. Diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Scleroderma or Multiple sclerosis.
5. Neurologic symptoms such as dizziness or feeling of being off balance.
6. Hormone imbalances such as PMS, PCOS or unexplained infertility.
8. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. These diagnoses simply indicate your conventional doctor cannot pin point the cause of your fatigue or pain.
9. Inflammation, swelling or pain in your joints such as fingers, knees or hips.
10. Mood issues such as anxiety, depression, mood swings and ADD.
How Do I Get Tested For Gluten Intolerance?
You could get tested for Gluten intolerance and there are many places that can cater to you, just Google, and you will find a ton of places in your local area.
What I have found from my own personal experience is that I just stopped eating wheat and grains that contain Gluten for a specified period of time, for example a few weeks. I make sure that I watch the labels and just eliminate it from my meals.
For those, who are less inclined to try my method, there is help in the form of some fancy dandy mobile apps.
These are  just a few great FREE phone apps that can make your Gluten fast a bit more palatable:

1. Find Me Gluten Free

Find-Me-Gluten-Free

Price: Free
Compatibility: iPhone and Android
Best for: Business travelers and road warriors
What to expect: Locate local gluten-free food, read reviews, get directions, and call restaurants from within the Find Me Gluten Free app.

 

2. ShopWell Healthy Diet & Grocery Food Scanner

Shopwell

Price: Free
Compatibility: iPhone and Android
Best for: Busy moms, students, home cooks
What to expect: ShopWell Healthy Diet & Grocery Food Scanner lets you scan bar codes to find out whether the product in your hand contains gluten. If it does, the app can suggest some gluten-free alternatives.

 

3. Delight Gluten-Free Magazine

Delight

Price: Free
Compatibility: iPhone, Android, Nook
Best for: Everyone
What to expect: Read full issues of Delight Gluten-Free Magazine for 99 cents apiece, and browse all the latest gluten-free news, recipes, and more.

 

4. AllergyEatsMobile

Allergy-Eats

Price: Free
Compatibility: iPhone and Android
Best for: Moms, people who love to dine out
What to expect: With AllergyEatsMobile for iPhone and Android, choose your level of “allergy friendliness,” and find suitable restaurants’ websites and menus. Get directions to each location and browse peer-based feedback about how well each business accommodates customers with food allergies.

As someone, who cannot eat a ton of Gluten, as I am intolerant to the pesky little critter, I have just simply been super mindful to read the labels carefully. It’s sort of a pain, but when it comes to my health, I think I can spare the extra 30-60 seconds to read the label.

You would be surprised just how common wheat and other grains that contain Gluten really is. The stuff is in just about everything.

In conclusion, if you suspect you may have a Gluten intolerance, I would go and do a mini fast from Gluten, and remember the acronym, BROWS: Barley, Rye, Oats, Wheat, Spelt. With this acronym it will make life a whole lot easier as you begin your adventure into the world of Gluten Free.

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