I tested negative for Celiac. Can I still be sensitive to gluten?

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In short, YES! There are 3 major categories of wheat or gluten-related diseases: celiac disease, wheat allergy, and gluten sensitivity. It can be very difficult to distinguish between the three based on symptoms alone. For this reason, food allergy/sensitivity testing can be very helpful in identifying what type of food allergies you may have.

Celiac disease

  • Affects approximately 1 in 132 individuals
  • Confirmed by a 3-part test: antibodies to gluten in the blood, atrophy of the small intestine (biopsy), and improvement with a gluten-free diet

Wheat allergy

  • Confirmed by the presence of IgE antibodies to wheat (blood test)
  • Food “allergy” symptoms tend to occur within 24 hours of eating the allergenic food (peanut allergies, for example, involve IgE antibodies)
  • Can present like celiac disease with symptoms including: asthma, eczema and digestive issues

Gluten sensitivity

  • Estimated to be 6 times more common than celiac disease!
  • Confirmed by presence of IgG and/or IgA antibodies to gluten (blood test)
  • Gluten sensitivity can be difficult to identify through food journaling because the symptoms resulting from the sensitivity can occur 24-72 hours after eating gluten and do not always affect the digestive system (see below)

The most common symptoms that can be caused by gluten sensitivity are (and frequency):

  • Abdominal pain (68%)
  • Eczema or skin rash (40%)
  • Headaches (35%)
  • Foggy mind (34%)
  • Fatigue (33%)
  • Diarrhea (33%)
  • Depression (22%)
  • Anemia (20%)
  • Numbness in arms, finger or legs (20%)
  • Joint pain (11%)

If you suffer from one of more of these conditions, consider eliminating gluten from your diet for a minimum of 3 weeks to see if you improve. Food allergy testing can also help identify food allergies and sensitivities to a variety of foods.

Contact me to find out if food allergy and sensitivity testing is right for you!

Source: Doherty, C. (2012). Defining Gluten Sensitivity. NDNR. www.ndnr.com

What are food sensitivities?

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What are food sensitivities?

Food sensitivities are an immune reaction to a food in the diet. They are becoming increasingly common due to a variety of factors including:

  • The over-consumption of processed and genetically-modified foods
  • Chronic stress which strains the digestive system
  • Overuse of certain medications (such as heartburn medication and antibiotics) which can disrupt our healthy gut bacteria

Food Allergy vs Food Sensitivity

Food allergies (like peanuts allergies) cause an immediate reaction that often includes hives, rashes, digestive upset, and difficulty breathing.

Food sensitivities on the other hand can be more subtle. Symptoms can appear 24 to 72 hours after eating an offending food and the symptoms are different for everyone but may include diarrhea, constipation, headaches, fatigue, skin concerns, and joint pain. The delayed reaction can make it very difficult to identify the offending food!

What are the most common food sensitivities?

  • Milk and dairy products, eggs, wheat and gluten, peanuts, tree nuts (almond, walnuts), soy, corn, brewer’s yeast (found in beer, wine, vinegar, and soy sauce) and baker’s yeast (found in bread, pastries, muffins).

How do I know if I have food sensitivities?

There are 2 main ways to identify food sensitivities.

1. Elimination Diet

The elimination diet involves removing the most common foods that cause sensitivities (see list above) for a minimum of 3 weeks. After the elimination phase, foods are gradually reintroduced in a systematic order in order to determine if any reactions occur.

2. Food sensitivity Testing

Food sensitivity testing is done through a simple blood draw. It measures how your immune system reacts to 96 common foods. There are special tests available for vegetarians and those eating certain ethnic diets. The results of the test allow you to determine exactly which foods your body doesn’t tolerate well.

To learn more about food sensitivity testing options
book your complimentary 15-minute consultation.