Going gluten-free is the latest lifestyle diet that’s going down a storm. For some, eating this mainly wheat-derived protein has no effect on your body, while others experience a full range of symptoms, some of which can make life pretty uncomfortable.
Thankfully supermarket aisles have caught up with the demand for gluten-free food, but how do you know if you’re gluten intolerant?
If you present with three or more of these signs, it is advisable to pay a visit to your doctor. As with all health care related concerns, visit a doctor is symptoms are persisting, or if you are concerned with your overall well-being.
So, what am I looking out for?
Not everyone with gluten intolerance will suffer from the same symptoms. The condition can cause a range of ailments and discomfort. Some of the main side-effects for affected people after eating foods containing gluten include:
Digestive Issues: Some of the most common signs of gluten intolerance are digestive issues. These can include gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea after eating foods that contain gluten. For those diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), many find their symptoms go away if they stop eating foods that contain gluten.
Aching Joints: Swollen or aching joints can be an indication of gluten intolerance in the body. Gluten can cause inflammation in the body, and can cause swelling in the fingers and knees.
Keratosis Pilaris: This skin issue, marked by raised bumps that don’t itch or hurt, is generally caused by a lack of absorption of fatty acids and vitamin A. This skin ailment can occur due to damage to the intestines when exposed to gluten for long periods of time.
Exhaustion: Feeling tired after you eat a meal that contains gluten is common for people intolerant of the protein. Many people with gluten intolerance who cut wheat and other gluten-containing grains from their diet feel an increase in their energy levels and are less likely to suffer bloating.
Migraines: Studies have found that those suffering from gluten intolerance are more likely to find themselves crippled with migraine headaches after eating foods containing gluten.
Neorological symptoms: In some rare cases, dizziness, poor balance and vertigo, and symptoms like numbness and tingling can all be indicative of inflammation in the nervous system caused by gluten-induced responses within the immune system.
How can you cure gluten intolerance?
Although there is no cure for gluten intolerance, remove wheat, barley and rye-based foods, pastas and cereals from your cupboards. Be careful to keep an eye out for hidden gluten on product labels, and enquire at your local supermarket for their ‘free-from’ foods aisle for a wider variety of food alternatives you can replace in your supermarket shop.
If you do suspect you are gluten intolerant, book in an appointment with your doctor, who can help you devise a healthy eating plan that will ensure you’re getting all your nutritional requirements while easing you from gluten caused discomfort.
