Gluten Intolerance: Is Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity causing your digestion, immune or autoimmune symptoms?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It is a complex protein that gives these grains their elasticity and chewy texture. While gluten is generally safe to consume, it can be problematic for many individuals with either coeliac disease or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system reacts to gluten by attacking the small intestine. This damage can lead to a variety of symptoms, including digestive problems, anaemia, and fatigue, weight loss, brain fog, joint and muscle pain. Many people can experience symptoms from consuming gluten but test negative for coeliac disease. This is known as non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, or gluten intolerance.

Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is when individuals experience adverse symptoms when consuming gluten, despite testing negative to coeliac disease. While less severe than coeliac disease, NCGS can cause considerable symptoms and significantly impact quality of life.

Symptoms of Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity

Symptoms of NCGS can vary widely from person to person, but common symptoms include:

• Digestive symptoms: Digestive symptoms are common, but don’t affect everyone with gluten intolerance. Symptoms may include bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

• Fatigue: Many people with gluten intolerance report feeling tired and fatigued. Anaemia and other nutrient deficiencies can be caused by non-coeliac gluten sensitivity as gut inflammation can reduce nutrient absorption.

• Brain fog and mental health: Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and headaches are common symptoms. Anxiety and depression may be related to or aggravated by gluten intolerance.

• Skin issues: Some people with NCGS may experience skin rashes and irritation, or even a worsening of eczema or psoriasis.

• Joint and muscle pain: Joint pain and stiffness can also be symptoms of NCGS, as can muscle aches and pains.

Digestive Inflammation and Intestinal Permeability

• Intestinal Permeability: Gluten can cause or increase intestinal permeability, better known as "leaky gut." This occurs when the tight junctions between intestinal cells become damaged, allowing harmful substances to leak into the bloodstream. This can cause or contribute to immune system activation.

• Immune System Activation: Gluten can trigger an immune response, even without the autoimmune damage seen in coeliac disease. This immune response can lead to inflammation in the digestive system and potentially lead to chronic immune or autoimmune condition.

• Systemic Inflammation: Chronic inflammation in the digestive system can contribute to systemic inflammation, affecting other parts of the body. Inflammatory signalling molecules can travel from the digestive system throughout the body, and even to the brain. This can contribute to brain fog, fatigue, poor concentration and even depression or anxiety symptoms.

Inflammatory and Autoimmune Conditions associated with Gluten Intolerance

In addition to the chronic system inflammation and immune activation that can be triggered by gluten consumption, there is some evidence that gluten may cause the immune system to mistakenly attack the body’s own cells, also known as autoimmunity. Immune and autoimmune conditions that have been associated with gluten sensitivity include:

• Autoimmune thyroid conditions: Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease are autoimmune conditions that can be exacerbated by gluten.

• Rheumatoid arthritis: Gluten may contribute to the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation.

• Psoriasis and eczema: These skin conditions can be exacerbated by gluten sensitivity.

• Gluten may also play a role in other inflammatory conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) including Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis, and migraine headaches.

Gluten intolerance in children

• Digestive issues: These can include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhoea. Young children find it difficult to communicate digestive symptoms, but may refuse to eat or have low appetite because they come to associate eating with digestive pain.

• Fatigue or lethargy: Children with gluten intolerance may experience low energy levels and fatigue easily. Poor iron absorption can often occur with inflammation to the digestive tract and iron deficiency may be present.

• Delayed growth and development: In severe cases, gluten intolerance can interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to delayed growth and development.

• Behavioural changes: Some children with gluten sensitivity may exhibit behavioural changes, such as irritability, hyperactivity, poor concentration and difficulty sleeping.

It's important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for assessment and diagnosis. Gluten intolerance in children can be related to an immature digestive and immune system and is often possible to resolve with treatment and time.

What is the treatment for Gluten Intolerance?

Symptoms of gluten intolerance can be managed by following a gluten-free diet. This involves avoiding all foods containing wheat, barley, and rye. It is recommended to consult with a naturopath or nutritionist to ensure that the gluten-free diet meets all nutritional needs, especially in children. Some support to reduce digestive and immune inflammation may be necessary alongside a gluten free diet to resolve chronic health conditions associated with non-coeliac gluten sensitivity.

For some individuals, especially young children, it is possible to reduce or resolve the inflammatory response to gluten consumption. A period of strict gluten exclusion alongside naturopathic gut and immune support may allow some people to reintroduce gluten containing foods.

Are you wondering if gluten is the cause of your symptoms? Are you attempting a gluten free diet but not sure where to start or how to eat a balanced gluten-free diet? Get in touch for a free discovery call to discuss how I can offer support.

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