What is Gluten Intolerance?

In our last blog post, we discussed Gluten Intolerance and how folks who suffer from this ailment can develop Celiac Disease. In this post, we’re going to talk a bit more about the two issues and how they’re related. Let’s start off by talking about different “flavors” of Celiac Disease and non-Celiac conditions that also result from prolonged gluten consumption.

Celiac Disease: Plain old vanilla

When most people talk about Celiac Disease, they’re referring to a condition whereby the body’s own immune system begins to attack itself. These attacks take place in the digestive tract, and most often in the small intestine. As we noted before, Celiac Disease develops when someone who has a hard time breaking down gluten continues to eat it. Over time, gluten builds up in the body and the body interrupts this buildup of foreign matter as something that needs to be attacked and removed. The sad irony is that if the body were able to get rid of gluten in the first place, there would be no need for an immune response. In most cases, the body is no better able to remove gluten, but the person in question experiences a range of symptoms. These can include the following:

• Abdominal pain and/or heartburn
• Anemia
• Bloating
• Brain fog
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Diarrhea and/or constipation
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Rashes

Estimates vary, but most doctors believe that Celiac Disease affects anywhere from 1 – 3% of the US population. The science is still evolving here, but it’s important to remember that just because someone suffers from the symptoms above, that doesn’t necessarily mean that she or he has Celiac Disease. Likewise, the absence of these symptoms doesn’t mean that a person is free of Celiac Disease either.

If you’re unsure whether you might suffer from Celiac Disease or whether you have a Gluten Intolerance, you might want to try eliminating wheat, rye and barley (e.g. bread and / or beer) from your diet to see how you feel. That said, you should consult with your physician before starting any course of treatment or making any major changes in your life. 

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About Sorbeo: We have one simple mission: Help people live healthier, pain-free lives when it comes to digestive health, and our goal is to help people live healthier, pain-free lives when it comes to digestive health. Our community includes people who suffer from a range of ailments including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn's Disease, Celiac Disease and food issues like gluten sensitivity. We also serve people suffering from Chronic Fatigue, Autoimmune Deficiencies and even Fibromyalgia. Of course, our doors are always open to general health enthusiasts as well. 

If you or a loved one suffers from any of these conditions, or if you’re just curious to learn more about our clinically formulated digestiveenzyme, check out our web site for more information.