Dr. Gerstmar's Thoughts on Health, Happiness, and Well-Being from Aspire Natural Health

Why is gluten the “bad guy”?

Because it seems to cause the most negative reactions of any type of food and because it is hidden in EVERYTHING.

What is Wheat/Gluten intolerance?

Wheat or gluten intolerance is a broad category of NON-autoimmune problems brought on by the consumption of wheat or gluten.  People with wheat intolerance experience a variety of health conditions/symptoms from eating wheat but do NOT test positive for celiac disease.

What is Celiac Disease (CD)?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease (where the body attacks itself) that is triggered by the consumption of gluten (a protein that is contained in wheat).  This results in damage to the intestines (where food is absorbed) and also to other areas of the body such as the nerves, skin, bones, and thyroid.  People with CD test positive on blood and genetic testing for the disease.

Tests for Wheat/Gluten Intolerance

1. Elimination and Challenge Diet – Remove gluten STRICTLY from the diet for 3-4 weeks and note any change or improvement.  Then challenge yourself by having gluten and note any changes or worsening/return of symptoms.
2. IgG Food “Allergy” testing – this testing is done by drawing blood and is NOT done by conventional doctors.  It measures antibody reactions to various foods and can show a reaction to wheat (as well as other foods)

Tests for Celiac Disease

1. Antibody testing – this is the most common form of testing and is done by drawing blood.  The tests that you can ask your doctor for are:
   1. Total IgA
   2. IgA and IgG anti-gliadin antibodies
   3. IgA and IgG anti-endomysial antibodies
   4. IgA and IgG anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies
2. Genetic testing – While anyone can have wheat intolerance, Celiac disease only seems to affect people with a genetic predisposition towards it.  Genetic testing can tell you if you have the potential to get Celiac disease (you have the genes) but NOT whether you actually have celiac disease or not.
3. Biopsy – reserved as a follow up to antibody testing where a colonoscopy is performed and a biopsy of the damaged tissue is taken to confirm the diagnosis of CD

Who should be tested for Celiac Disease (CD)?

Anyone who has:
An Autoimmune disease	Frequent infections	Chronic neurologic conditions
A Thyroid disease	1st or 2nd degree relative with CD	Early osteoporosis
Type I Diabetes	Infertility – Male or Female	Irritable bowel syndrome
An intolerance to gluten grains	Frequent miscarriages	Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue

What foods contain gluten?

When in doubt, ALL processed foods contain gluten unless they are labeled certified gluten free.

The short, short list

1.  Wheat, flour (bleached, unbleached, bread, bran), bulghur, wheat germ

2.  Barley, barley grass, barley malt

3.  Spelt

4.  Beer

5.  Cakes

6.  Cereals

7.  Cookies, cookie dough

8.  Crackers

9.  Einkorn

10.  Emmer

11.  Hydrolyzed wheat gluten, protein, or starch

12.  Kamut

13.  Soy Sauce

14.  Malted barley flour, milk, extract, syrup, or flavoring

15.  Malt vinegar

16.  Pasta

17.  Rye

18.  Semolina

Gluten is often but not always in products containing:

Artificial colorings, artificial flavorings, natural flavors, natural flavorings, vegetable broth, vegetable gum, vegetable protein, and vegetable starches

Gluten IS in vitamins (unless they are labeled gluten free) and can also be found in prescription medications!

For a more comprehensive list of where gluten can be found, go here.

What are your thoughts?  Share them with us in the comments section below.