A chronic stomach ache…
Is the gluten-free diet a passing fad or a genuine public health concern?
To understand, let's first explore what gluten really is.
Gluten is a protein found in many cereal-based products and processed foods.
It occurs naturally in wheat, spelt, kamut, oats, barley, and rye.
Gluten intolerance can trigger a range of digestive and extra-digestive symptoms, potentially leading to chronic inflammatory conditions.
Celiac disease involves a total and irreversible intolerance to gluten, affecting 1 to 3% of the population in Western Europe.
Consuming gluten damages the intestinal lining (causing hyperpermeability (1)*), sparking inflammation.
Symptoms include digestive issues (chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, bloating)…
And systemic ones (fatigue, irritability, joint or bone pain, skin rashes).
Diagnosis requires a blood test for specific antibodies (2).
This is often followed by a colonoscopy.
Treatment: lifelong avoidance of gluten, including trace amounts.
However, a newer condition has emerged in recent years.
It affects people who test negative for celiac disease and wheat allergy but still react to gluten.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity impacts about 10% of French people—over 6.6 million individuals.
Symptoms appear within hours to a few days after gluten intake.
Contributing factors include:
– A diet excessively high in gluten
– Regular alcohol consumption
– Gut infections
– Chronic stress or frequent antibiotic use
Start with a comprehensive blood panel to detect specific antibodies (3) and confirm the diagnosis.
Based on results, your doctor will advise the duration of gluten elimination tailored to symptom severity.
Symptoms often resolve quickly upon elimination, though antibodies may take years to fade.
Strict dietary control is essential during this time.
Avoiding gluten without medical need—driven by trends—offers no benefits and risks nutritional deficiencies!
Thanks to media hype, gluten gets blamed for every gut issue.
Culprits like lactose, eggs, or nuts often play a bigger role in functional digestive disorders.
Professional medical guidance is crucial.
To safeguard your health, embrace a variety of cereals.
Opt for naturally gluten-free options like buckwheat or rice.
And remember, life's too short—enjoy that baguette if it doesn't cause you pain.
(1) Malabsorption of essential nutrients and uptake of harmful molecules
(2) IgA anti-transglutaminase and anti-endomysium antibodies
(3) IgG anti-gliadin antibodies
Article by Dr. Aude Senez, Specialist in Nutritional and Functional Medicine, in partnership with Labeauteparisienne.com
Learn more at www.docteuraudesenez.fr
