Common Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt, and other grains. (NB some people are able to tolerate oats)

Do you or your family have any of these problems?

* tired, exhausted, lethargic, lack of energy, weakness
* iron deficiency, anaemia
* diarrhoea or constipation, uncomfortable tummy, bloating and gas troubles
* gastric reflux or heartburn, nausea or vomiting
* unhappy with weight (over- or under- weight), not growing well, eating problems
* runny nose, sneezing and sinus problems, itchy and/or watery eyes
* asthma, wheezing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
* osteoporosis, bone and joint pains
* dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, skin flushing, hives
* infertility
* headaches or migraine
* depression, mental health problems, mood swings, hyperactive, cranky
* disrupted sleep, insomnia, foggy thinking, poor concentration
* Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
* Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)/Aspergers

There are many causes of the problems in the list but all could be related to food sensitivity or intolerance in many individuals. If you have a lot of these symptoms it is quite likely that you would benefit from seeking a diagnosis or testing for food allergies. Often tests are affected if the allergen has already been removed from the diet - this is especially true for gluten intolerance and coeliac disease. A diagnosis of a food allergy or sensitivity should be sought before eliminating food groups from your diet.

It is important to note that you should seek advice from your medical practitioner/health provider/allergy specialist or a registered dietician before embarking on any 'new' or restricted diet. This is especially important with children as an unregulated diet that is too restrictive could result in mineral and vitamin deficiencies and lead to future problems with growth and development.

All of the problems in the list above have been linked with individuals who have an intolerance to gluten. Gluten is the cause of coeliac disease, a serious and lifelong auto-immune condition (meaning that the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues). Coeliac disease is genetic so your risk is increased if you have family members who are sufferers.

In coeliac disease, the villi that line the gut are attacked and damaged leading to problems with absorption of essential nutrients. Symptoms vary from mild to serious and can include stomach pains, bloating, diarrhoea and nausea. Symptoms are often confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or stress. Recognizing and diagnosing coeliac disease can be a lengthy drawn out process and some people go years before finding a diagnosis and some people are simply never diagnosed and suffer with general ill health.