Why Might Gluten Be Dangerous to Some People?
Gluten has recently become one of the most talked about foods in the healthy eating realm. Many people have chosen to avoid it, believing that it will improve their health. However, studies show that gluten intolerance is not as common as many people think.
In this article, we will talk about gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease or gluten hypersensitivity. We’ll find out how it manifests itself, how to diagnose it, and who really needs to avoid gluten. After all, as it turns out, not everyone develops gluten intolerance, and not necessarily everyone needs to exclude this product from their diet.
- What Is Gliadin in Gluten and How Does It Affect Your Body?
- Antibodies as a Reliable Method of Diagnosing Celiac Disease
- Gluten Hypersensitivity and How It Differs From Celiac Disease
- Self-Diagnosis of Celiac Disease and Gluten Hypersensitivity: Should You Eliminate Gluten From Your Diet?
- What Can the Consequences Be If It Is Not Treated in Time?
- Conclusion
What Is Gliadin in Gluten and How Does It Affect Your Body?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley that is generally harmless to healthy people. However, some people can develop a gluten intolerance when the immune system reacts to gluten components, especially gliadin, as a dangerous enemy. When gluten enters the intestines, it is broken down and gliadin is detached from it.
The gliadin interacts with antibodies and immune system cells on the surface of the intestine, then is transported through the intestinal wall and comes into contact with immune system cells that trigger immune responses. This can lead to the release of antibodies and t-lymphocytes that damage the intestinal wall, especially the duodenum, small intestine, and ileum.
Intestinal disorders caused by damage to the intestinal walls result in a decreased area of absorption of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. The disease caused by gluten intolerance may be called celiac disease or gluten hypersensitivity. Statistically, one in a hundred people develop it if they come from northern Europe and one in 250 if they come from more southern areas.
People with gluten intolerance experience many unpleasant symptoms. First of all, they have difficulty gaining weight, especially children. This is due to difficulty absorbing vitamins, proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which causes the body to become nutrient deficient, like starvation. In addition, gluten intolerance impairs normal digestion and gastrointestinal microflora, leading to various problems such as gas, bloating, pain and cramps.
Also, gluten intolerant sufferers have delayed iron absorption, which can lead to iron deficiency, even if the diet contains enough iron. This should be considered when examining patients who have decreased blood iron levels but no other apparent cause. It is also worth noting that 10% of patients with celiac disease develop skin lesions resembling herpes. They are usually localized on the extensor surfaces, and may be another unpleasant symptom for the patient.
Antibodies as a Reliable Method of Diagnosing Celiac Disease
Gluten intolerance, or celiac disease, is a serious condition that can lead to various complications. However, its diagnosis is not always easy. When the body is exposed to gluten, the immune system begins to produce antibodies.
The most diagnostically accurate antibodies are antibodies to tissue transglutaminase. They can be detected in blood tests and help diagnose celiac disease. Another type of antibodies, antibodies to endomysium, can also be detected in blood tests. These antibodies are directed against the muscle cells of the intestinal wall, which are also destroyed in celiac disease.
The antibodies can be of two types: immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G. It is advisable to check for both types of antibodies, but some people do not produce class A immunoglobulins. In this case, celiac disease can only be diagnosed based on the presence of class G antibodies.
The accuracy and specificity of the tissue transglutaminase antibody and endomysial antibody tests are 98%, making them very reliable methods for diagnosing celiac disease. In addition to blood tests, the doctor may also recommend a biopsy of the intestinal or duodenal wall to confirm the diagnosis.
If no antibodies are found or the biopsy is inconclusive, but celiac disease is still suspected, a trial gluten-free diet may be recommended. If symptoms improve after such a diet, it may confirm the presence of celiac disease. If left untreated, celiac disease can lead to various complications such as osteoporosis, anemia, increased risk of tumor development, and even infertility.
Gluten Hypersensitivity and How It Differs From Celiac Disease
In addition to celiac disease, there is another condition called gluten hypersensitivity that is not related to celiac disease. Gluten hypersensitivity (GSH) is a condition characterized by the appearance of symptoms when eating foods that contain gluten without an immune response mediating it. In this condition, mere contact with gluten causes inflammation of the intestinal wall, causes diarrhea, causes bloating of the stomach, and impaired absorption of nutrients. That is all the same as in celiac disease, but with no immune reactions.
HGH has relatively recently been recognized as a separate disease. There is little information on the causes of this condition, but it is thought to be related to a disruption in the barrier function of the gut, which causes gluten to enter the body and cause an inflammatory response.
It is important to note that there are no specific tests or markers to diagnose HGH. Typically, the diagnosis is made after ruling out other conditions such as celiac disease and gluten intolerance. This means that even if the tests for gluten intolerance markers were normal, you may still have HGH.
HGH can also manifest not only in the gut, but also in other organs and systems, such as the skin, nervous system and cardiovascular system. As with celiac disease and gluten intolerance, the treatment for HGH is to eliminate gluten from the diet. This can significantly improve quality of life and reduce the risk of complications.
Self-Diagnosis of Celiac Disease and Gluten Hypersensitivity: Should You Eliminate Gluten From Your Diet?
If you suspect you have celiac disease or gluten hypersensitivity, the first step should be to visit your doctor and run the necessary tests to diagnose it. However, if you don’t want to spend money on medical tests, eliminating gluten from your diet for a few weeks can help determine if you have a gluten problem.
It is important to remember that eliminating gluten from your diet can be difficult and require self-discipline. Gluten is found in many foods, such as wheat, barley and rye, as well as in many prepared foods, sauces and confections. Therefore, before you start eliminating gluten from your diet, it is worth preparing and researching a list of foods that should be eliminated.
If you notice an improvement after eliminating gluten, you may indeed have a gluten problem. However, in that case, you should not immediately go back to your normal gluten-containing diet. It is better to gradually introduce gluten-containing foods into your diet and watch how your body reacts to it.
Finally, it’s worth noting that eliminating gluten from your diet may not only be beneficial for people with celiac disease or gluten hypersensitivity. Some studies have shown that reducing gluten intake can be beneficial for people with other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Also, eliminating gluten can help reduce weight and improve overall health. However, before making changes to your diet, it is worth discussing it with your doctor or dietitian to avoid unwanted consequences and lack of essential nutrients in your diet.
What Can the Consequences Be If It Is Not Treated in Time?
Chronic inflammation caused by celiac disease can have serious consequences if not treated in time. One of the most dangerous consequences is an increased risk of colon cancer. Although there is no direct link between celiac disease and colon cancer, the presence of chronic bowel inflammation increases the likelihood of developing tumors.
In addition, impaired nutrient absorption is another serious consequence of celiac disease if left untreated. Gluten, which is found in many foods, can cause intestinal damage, resulting in impaired absorption of nutrients from food. This can lead to a lack of iron, calcium, vitamins, and other important nutrients that are necessary for the body to function properly.
People with celiac disease often have low blood calcium levels and impaired absorption of vitamin D, which can lead to weakened bones and an increased risk of fractures. A possible complication is anemia, which can occur because of deficiencies in iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, due to impaired absorption of these substances in the intestine. Anemia can lead to fatigue, weakness, headaches, increased fatigue, and other health problems.
Lack of these nutrients can lead to various health problems such as anemia, osteoporosis, immune system disorders, skin problems, metabolic disorders and more. Therefore, it is very important to see a doctor in a timely manner if you suspect celiac disease and begin treatment.
Symptoms of celiac disease can vary, and they manifest themselves differently in each person. Some people may have obvious symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, etc., while others may have no symptoms at all. Therefore, it is very important to know your risk of developing celiac disease and consult your doctor if you have any doubts.
Treatment for celiac disease consists of completely eliminating gluten from the diet, as well as repairing the damaged gut. After starting treatment, many people notice a significant improvement in their health, especially if they had obvious symptoms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, celiac disease and gluten intolerance are serious diseases that can be detrimental to a person’s health if not recognized in time. If you have a suspicion of these diseases, it is worth seeing a doctor and undergoing the appropriate tests. If the diagnosis is confirmed, you should eliminate gluten from your diet.
However, if you do not have any symptoms of gluten intolerance, you should not limit yourself in the consumption of cereals. Cereals contain many nutrients and are an important source of nutrition for humans. You should not forget that cereals have been consumed by people for thousands of years and are generally a safe and healthy food.
So, you should remember that every person is different, and what is suitable for one may be harmful for another. If you have a suspicion of gluten intolerance or celiac disease, it is better to check with your doctor. In other cases, you should not limit yourself in the consumption of cereals and enjoy their useful properties.