10 Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance
More than 55 diseases have been linked to gluten, the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. It’s estimated that 99% of the people who have either gluten intolerance or celiac disease are never diagnosed.
It is also estimated that as much as 15% of the Malaysian population is gluten intolerant. Could you be one of them?
If you have any of the following symptoms it could be a sign that you have gluten intolerance:
- 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, even Scoliosis.
- 5. Neurologic symptoms such as dizziness or feeling of being off balance.
- 6. Hormone imbalances such as PMS, PCOS or unexplained infertility.
- 7. Migraine headaches.
- 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.
The best advice that I share with all my patients is that if they feel significantly better off of gluten or feel worse when they reintroduce it, then gluten is likely a problem for them.