Gluten intolerance cannot be overcome, but it can be managed with dietary changes. Avoiding foods with gluten will eliminate symptoms. Celiac disease is the most serious form of gluten intolerance, but not all people with gluten intolerance have celiac disease. Overcoming gluten intolerance can be challenging because many foods contain gluten, but with careful diet management, people with gluten intolerance can have healthy lives.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine due to a reaction to wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats. Gluten intolerance, by contrast, is a sensitivity to gluten, but it is not an autoimmune condition. It can cause some of the same symptoms as celiac disease, including gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea and nausea. Gluten intolerance is more common than celiac disease, according to Scott Sicherer, M.D., a physician specializing in food sensitivities at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. People with gluten intolerance can suffer fatigue, but the intolerance doesn't cause the lifelong complications that celiac disease can.
Avoiding foods with gluten is the only therapy for gluten intolerance. This means steering clear of breads, pastas, cereals, cakes and other foods containing wheat, rye, barley and oats. Foods with oats can be problematic because oat products may be contaminated with wheat gluten, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. You can usually get all the nutrients you need from a gluten-free diet, but your doctor may recommend vitamin and mineral supplements if you’re just starting your diet.
Working with a registered dietitian who specializes in planning gluten-free diets can be helpful. You may also wish to join a support group to help you cope with the condition. Because gluten intolerance mimics some of the symptoms of celiac disease, it is wise to check with your doctor before changing your diet -- you may have celiac disease rather than gluten intolerance.
Wheat, rye, barley and oats are often added to processed foods, so read the labels carefully. Some unlikely products may also contain gluten, including beer and other alcohol, bacon and seafood, sauces, soups, soy sauce, lipstick and medicines. Ask the pharmacist if the medicines you take contain gluten. The good news is that many nutritious foods are naturally free of gluten, including fruits, vegetables and many dairy products. Grocery stores often carry gluten-free foods and may even have a section devoted to such products.
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Celiac Disease
- Medline Plus: Celiac Disease, Sprue
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Celiac Disease
- FamilyDoctor.org: Gluten-Free Diet
- FamilyDoctor.org: Celiac Disease
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Eating Right with Gluten Intolerance
- Scott Sicherer, M.D.; Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City
- bread and bread stick image by Stefano Maccari from Fotolia.com