What is gluten?
Gluten is a rubbery-like protein that is found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats. Gluten is necessary in these foods because it prevents the gases from escaping, which are produced during the fermentation process. Therefore, baked goods are able to rise when baked, as well as firm up and maintain their shape. Furthermore, gluten is absorbent, which is why bread is often used to soak up liquids such as soups and broths.
What many people don’t know about gluten is that it is only one of the proteins contained in wheat, barley, rye, and oats that can cause reactions in people. The four major proteins include albumin, globulin, gliadin, and of course, gluten. So basically, a person with a gluten allergy can show symptoms to any of these proteins without really knowing which one is responsible.
What are the symptoms of a gluten allergy?
Gluten allergies are actually quite common amongst children and adults and mimic those of celiac disease. Most commonly, people complain of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. Other allergic reactions can occur, including asthma, skin irritations and swelling. Another frequent complaint amongst people with gluten allergies is that they suffer from extreme fatigue. Keep in mind however, that the severity and frequency of symptoms will vary between people.
Besides side effects, another way to tell if you have a gluten allergy is if you get sick when eating foods that contain gluten. The downside to this is that many of the common, everyday foods that we eat contain these proteins without us knowing it. Gluten is in more than just breads and baked goods and can be found in pizza, beverages, yogurt, and dried fruits.
Where does a gluten allergy come from?
You can thank your family for this one, as gluten intolerance is a genetic disorder that runs in families. More interestingly however, is that most people will begin showing symptoms of a gluten allergy after the body goes through some sort of trauma, such as an infection, surgery or even pregnancy. One reason why it runs in families – a gluten allergy is actually an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to be hyperactive and attack the small intestine.
How do I test for a gluten allergy?
With all the medical advances, you would think that a simple test would indicate whether or not you suffered from a gluten allergy. However, it’s not quite that simple. The best way to tell if you have an allergy to gluten is to simply remove it from the diet for several weeks and see if you still suffer from the same symptoms. Because many of these symptoms can be attributed to other medical conditions, it’s important to rule out anything else.
Another way to determine a gluten allergy is by celiac testing, which includes a blood test and biopsy of the intestines. These tests are not completely accurate however, because only a small portion of people with a gluten allergy will suffer from celiac disease. While it’s not a bad idea to have celiac testing done, remember that the results are not set in stone. If you feel better removing gluten from the diet, take that as a more accurate indication of an allergy.
Do I need to take medicine for a gluten allergy?
Fortunately this is one disease that doesn’t destine you to a lifetime of medications and pills. Instead, you will have to keep gluten out of your diet, which can be tricky at first. The best approach is to read up on identifying food labels so you can spot which foods have gluten and which ones do not. There are many ingredients which contain gluten proteins, so educating yourself is the first step.
Generally, a good rule of thumb is to look under the nutrition label where the allergy information is printed. Most foods will print whether or not they are gluten-free. Also something to get excited about – there are many food alternatives that are made gluten-free, which means you can enjoy cupcakes and cookies without the symptoms. Look for these products at all-natural food stores or in the organic aisles of your supermarket. If you cannot find these products in stores, consider printing off online recipes that you can prepare on your own.
How do I maintain a gluten allergy?
It usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks to rid the body of gluten, and after that is when people report feeling symptom-free and better than ever. To maintain a gluten-free diet, you must steer away from any foods that contain this protein, no exceptions. It becomes a way of life over time, but it’s especially important for young children to understand their food choices. Be sure to keep snacks and goodies on hand for both home and school for birthdays or holidays.