Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and any products made from these ingredients.
Most people can consume gluten without a problem. However, in some people, the immune system doesn’t recognize gluten. In response, it releases chemicals to remove the ‘foreign’ substance, causing inflammation.
Gluten is made up of two main proteins: glutenin and gliadin. These proteins form a complex structure that is difficult for digestive enzymes to break down. Often, gluten is only partially digested in the body.
For most people, the body recognizes that partially digested gluten fragments are food, so they don’t trigger an immune response.
In people with celiac disease, the immune system does not recognize gluten or partially digested gluten as food. So, it responds to gluten as if it were a foreign substance and releases chemicals to attack it to protect the body. This release of chemicals causes inflammation.
Eating gluten can cause inflammation to different degrees in people with gluten-related health conditions, such as:
Celiac Disease
In people with celiac disease, gluten can cause inflammation and damage the digestive tract over time. Doctors will often look for signs of damage or changes in the tissues to diagnose celiac disease. They can also use a blood test to diagnose the condition.
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
Some people don’t have celiac disease but still experience gastrointestinal symptoms when they consume gluten. This condition is called non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or gluten intolerance.
NCGS is only diagnosed by eliminating other possible causes. There is no blood test for it, as there is for celiac disease diagnosis. In people with NCGS, it’s less clear to what degree gluten causes inflammation.
Wheat Allergy
People with a wheat allergy are allergic to wheat, which contains gluten. They can experience a range of symptoms after eating wheat, including digestive symptoms and skin symptoms such as eczema, itching, redness, and swelling. They may also have asthma, chronic cough, headaches, dizziness, and migraines.
The effects could be immediate or take hours or days to fully manifest, depending on the type of wheat allergy a person has.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
This is an autoimmune condition in which the body does not recognize its own cells and attacks them. Dermatitis herpetiformis is an inflammatory condition characterized by the formation of fluid-filled blisters on the skin, which causes intense itching.
Gluten triggers dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms. A gluten-free diet can reduce symptoms and the need for medication.
People with gluten-related conditions develop symptoms after consuming gluten. However, the symptoms, their intensity, and how long they take to appear can vary depending on the condition. The symptoms may be immediate or take hours, days, weeks, or even months to manifest.
Long-term inflammation damages digestive cells. This leads to poor nutrient absorption. Inflammation itself and poor absorption of nutrients can affect many organs. Symptoms of gluten-related conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Low red blood cell count (anemia)
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Low bone mineral density (osteoporosis)
- Skin rashes
- Chronic fatigue
- Joint pain
- Abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits
- Headaches
However, some people with celiac disease may not experience any symptoms, even if they have cell damage and inflammation.
A gluten-free diet is the main treatment for gluten-related conditions. It eases symptoms, prevents damage to digestive cells, and reduces the risk of complications. Common ways to manage and treat gluten inflammation and gluten-related conditions include:
Get a Medical Diagnosis
Many people avoid gluten because they think it’s the root cause of their gastrointestinal symptoms. This may or may not be true, but a diagnosis of gluten intolerance requires careful medical evaluation.
Cutting out gluten doesn’t just limit your food choices; it could also delay the diagnosis of the actual condition that might be causing your symptoms.
Follow a Gluten-Free Diet
People with celiac disease have to eliminate gluten from their diet to prevent damage to the digestive system. They need to avoid gluten as well as anything that comes in contact with gluten, since their bodies are sensitive to the smallest amount of gluten.
A gluten-free diet is also a part of treatment for people with other gluten-related conditions. It can help prevent and manage symptoms. Most people see improvements within weeks to months of following a gluten-free diet.
Correct Nutritional Deficiencies
Exposure to gluten could damage intestinal cells. This can result in poor nutritional absorption, leading to deficiencies over time.
Some nutritional deficiencies are common in people with celiac disease, such as iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, folate, and calcium. For this reason, routine blood work is often recommended to monitor your nutrient levels.
Also, a gluten-free diet comes with food restrictions, which can cause nutritional gaps if the diet is not well planned. Your doctor or a registered dietitian can help identify any deficiencies you have and discuss treatment. They may prescribe medications or advise dietary supplements.
Monitor Symptoms
Some people find it beneficial to keep a symptom diary. This helps track changes and their relation to your diet and lifestyle. People with gluten-related conditions may also have other gastrointestinal or autoimmune conditions. In this case, a symptom diary can help guide treatment.
Eat a Diet High In Antioxidants
Gluten causes inflammation and damage to digestive cells in celiac disease. Antioxidants are compounds found in foods that fight against cell damage and inflammation. Gluten-free antioxidant foods include fruits, vegetables, coffee, green tea, some nuts, seeds, and spices.
Get the Mental Health Support You Need
A gluten-free diet comes with many food restrictions. So, it becomes necessary to make special preparations for dining out or social gatherings where food is involved.
This can lead to stress and feelings of isolation for some people. Consulting a mental health professional can help you throughout your journey.
Gluten causes inflammation and damages the digestive cells in people with celiac disease. It can also cause inflammation in other gluten-related conditions to different degrees. For these people, a gluten-free diet can help reduce symptoms and inflammation.
