1. Understanding Gluten Allergies & Celiac Diseaseby Digestive Health Ann Arbor

2. 1 in 7 people in the US are allergic to gluten. (estimate)

3. But what is gluten? And what are allergies, really?

4. allergyal•ler•gy quot;a-ler-jen, pl -gies the immune system’s response to a protein usually found in a food - such as peanuts, eggs, wheat or milk - that crosses the gut wall. The body perceives this protein as a foreign body.

5. glutenglu•ten quot;glüt-n Gluten and gliadin are two proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye that give flour its elasticity and is also a popular food additive. Gluten is heavily used additive in baked goods, cereals, malt, caramel flavorings, and pastas. Gluten and gliadin can be found in cookies, breads, pastas, anything that uses flour and even certain types of alcohol.

6. For a detailed list of foods containing gluten and gliadin, click here

7. What is Gluten Sensitivity, Gluten Intolerance & Celiac Disease?

8. “A delayed allergic response to the proteins gluten and gliadin.” This allergic reaction inflames the small intestine, the effects of which can be felt throughout the entire body.

9. Over time, this inflammation causes the villi, which line the small intestines, to atrophy. The villi look like shag carpeting andare primarily responsible for nutrient absorption.

10. microscopic image ofHealthy Villi vs. Atrophied Villi

11. If the villi deteriorate, the body is challenged to absorb nutrients. When the villi are severely compromised, Gluten Intolerance becomes Celiac Disease.

12. Therefore, Gluten Intolerance & Celiac Disease are the same illness, differing only in severity.

13. Gluten Sensitivity or Intolerance is often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all because most doctors test only for Celiac Disease.

14. That means that even if you ARE Gluten Intolerant you might NOT test positive for Celiac disease.

15. SURPRISE! this may surprise you, but, 60% of people with a gluten allergy DO NOT have digestive problems. This is why it is so important to be aware of other potential symptoms and talk with your health care provider if you have any concerns.

16. The good news is that the treatments for Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance are the same – eliminate all gluten from your diet

17. Warning Signs of Gluten Intolerance & Celiac Disease Diarrhea, flatulence, bloating, constipation, nausea, vomiting Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis (IBD) & Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Tingling in the extremities, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and even epilepsy Implicated in autoimmune conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and Type I Diabetes among others Frequent headaches or migraines Fibromyalgia, bone and joint pain Psoriasis and other skin disorders

18. Warning Signs of Gluten Intolerance & Celiac Disease Chronic fatigue Interstitial cystitis Abnormal menses, infertility, miscarriage Implicated in neurological disorders such as unexplained numbness & tingling in the extremities Mouth ulcers, are a clear sign of an exhausted immune system. Gradual weight change

19. Important Things to Know Discovering and treating gluten intolerance early is extremely important. A Gluten Intolerance is usually left undiagnosed until most people are 50 years old or older. If not diagnosed until 10 years old, there is a 1 in 4 chance of developing an autoimmune disorder like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hachimoto's Thyroidistis, Parksinson's Disease or lupus. Implicated in dental enamel defects, lower neo-natal weight in children, shorter life span, osteoporosis, schizophrenia, depression, & A.D.D.