*Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional/doctor and do not intend for this post to replace a medical diagnosis. This post is completely for informational purposes and is intended to be used for awareness only. If you suspect that you may be allergic to gluten, please consult your primary care provider for more information.

 

Could you be allergic to Gluten and not even know it?

Yes! In fact, it is estimated that 99% of the people who have either Celiac Disease or are allergic to gluten haven’t even been diagnosed yet.

Could you be one of them?

 

First of All, What is Gluten?

Gluten is a type of protein that can be found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. It is what gives the dough its elasticity and helps it to rise and keep its shape and texture. Which means bread, pasta, oats, and basically any and all baked goods contain gluten.

In addition, gluten is also now becoming more and more present in our processed foods such as condiments, canned soups, and even alcoholic beverages.

But wait! Gluten doesn’t stop there.

Gluten has been creeping up in our everyday non-food goods like our medicines/vitamins, lipsticks, and skin products. Crazy right?

 

What’s the difference between Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance?

Celiac Disease is a hereditary autoimmune disorder where the immune disorder actually attacks the lining of the small intestine when the person eats foods that contain gluten. Because of this attack, the villi in the small intestine are damaged resulting in the food’s nutrients not being absorbed into the blog stream.

While on the other hand, Gluten Intolerance that is not a result of Celiac Disease is where the person who eats gluten experiences pains similar to that of someone with celiac disease without the intestinal damage and antibodies present.

 

Signs of Gluten Intolerance You May Be Overlooking

  1. Digestive Issues such as bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
  2. Ongoing Chronic Fatigue
  3. Muscle and Joint Pains
  4. Mental Issues such as Depression, Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, and more.
  5. Frequent Migraines
  6. Infertility & Miscarriages
  7. Nutrient Deficiency
  8. Skin problems
  9. Numbness and tingling in the arms and legs
  10. Issues with Weight Loss/Gain
  11. Mouth Ulcers and More…

 

How can I find out if I have Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance?

If you are experiencing a few of these symptoms for a long period of time with no relief then you should talk to your doctor. There are a blood test and a biopsy of the small intestine that can be done to determine if you truly have Celiac Disease.

However, gluten sensitivity typically is not picked up by a blood test. For many people, the easiest way to find out if you are sensitive to gluten is to simply eliminate any and all gluten from your diet for at least 1 to 2 weeks and see if your symptoms subside.

And if your symptoms do in fact go away, you have a pretty good guess that you are allergic to gluten.

(THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS HOWEVER, I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND ANYTHING THAT I DO NOT BELIEVE IN OR USE MYSELF. YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT MY DISCLOSURE POLICY HERE)

 

But How Will I Live Without Bread and Pasta???

This was my first thought when my doctor told me to go on a gluten-free diet for 2 weeks. To be completely honest I am not the type of person who can commit to a diet. I have always loved having the freedom of being able to eat what I want and never dieting.

But fret not your soul. You do not have to live without pasta or bread. Just Gluten.

There are so many different gluten-free products available at almost any store nationwide. From Gluten free bread to gluten-free toothpaste. Yep! I bet you never thought it would be in toothpaste.

The best way to deal with living gluten-free is to become an expert at reading labels and being very careful about everything you put in your mouth. Trust me your body will thank you later.

And if you’re not sure if a product has gluten, you can download a FREE app called the Gluten Free Scanner. It has been a HUGE lifesaver for me. All you do is line the barcode up with the camera of your phone and it will tell you if it contains gluten or if it is gluten-free.

Easy Peasy!

My Gluten Free Journey

Finally after years of suffering through sickness after eating and having constant digestive issues, migraine headaches, horrible depression and crippling fatigue, I was determined to finally feel better.

And I did. I am still continuing to feel better each and every day.

For the past two months, I have been on a gluten-free diet and I am finally beginning to heal my body and feel like my old self again.

*If the symptoms of this posts sound like you or someone you love please seek out your health care provider. Take care of yourself so you can feel like the best version of yourself. Also please tell me in the comments if I missed anything or if you loved this article. I always love to hear from my readers.

11 Signs of gluten intolerance you may be overlooking. gluten free, gluten allergy, gluten sensitivity, celiac disease, wheat, rye, barley.

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