Medically reviewed by Onikepe Adegbola, MD, PhD
Gluten is a type of protein found in a range of grains such as barley, wheat, and rye. Interestingly, it is also found in certain medicines, supplements, and vitamins. Gluten intolerance, also known as gluten sensitivity, is a common disorder where the body reacts post the consumption of gluten, no matter what form you consume it in.
In some ways, gluten intolerance resembles Celiac disease, a disorder wherein the intake of gluten triggers a range of symptoms.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. In simple words, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks its own cells and destroys the lining of the small intestines. This further results in a reduced ability of nutrient absorption. Moreover, Celiac disease is hereditary, but it causes no permanent damage to the intestine of the stomach and other organs.
How To Find Out Whether You Have Gluten Intolerance Or Not?
Well, if you are prone to gluten intolerance, you may experience some symptoms after consuming foods that have gluten. A few common symptoms include:-
- Stomach pain and bloating
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Joint pain or pain in bone
- Itchy skin and more.
Interestingly, many symptoms of gluten intolerance are similar to the symptoms related to Celiac disease.
The list of foods that have gluten is long. Any product made of barley, wheat, rye, soy, etc., has gluten. People who are intolerant to gluten are advised to avoid all foods that contain gluten.
Eliminating gluten from the diet is the easiest way to reduce the inflammation caused by it. However, this does not help in the long run despite there being no dearth of alternatives to flours and grains that do not contain gluten. So the best way to address gluten intolerance is to reverse it. Here is how you can do it.
How To Reverse Gluten Intolerance?
- Including Healthy Bacteria in diet
Relying on healthy bacteria helps the body get rid of destructive bacteria. For instance, a probiotic named Bifidobacterium lactis is competent in transforming gut health as it counteracts the harm to the digestive tract caused by gluten. Besides, it also allows the body to absorb a greater amount of nutrients from food.
- Gluten-Free Grains
Go gluten-free for a few months to get rid of the symptoms triggered by gluten. Wondering which grains contain gluten? Apart from the grains mentioned above(wheat, rye, barley, and soy), a few common food items that contain gluten are graham flour, contaminated oats, couscous, wheat germ, spelt, kamut, semolina, bulgur, and more. For a gluten-free diet, you can explore gluten-free grains and foods like millet, amarnath, wild rice, buckwheat, pure oats, quinoa, coconut flour, almond flour, chia flour, sweet potato flour, rice flour, and more.
- Strengthening the Gut With Oregano
Oregano is recognized as an antibacterial herb that cleanses the bad bacteria. Whether you choose to integrate fresh oregano leaves or dried leaves, they can help heal your gut.
Another way to reverse gluten intolerance is cleansing the gut with powerful oregano oil. It helps in getting rid of the bad bacterial growth in the stomach. Intake of approximately 200 mg of oregano oil for two weeks 3 times a day helps when it comes to purifying the health-related to your gut.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar offers plenty of health benefits. However, not many know that it is also beneficial when it comes to stimulating digestion. In simple words, apple cider vinegar helps stimulate digestion by breaking down foods and protein.
To reverse the gluten intolerance, it is recommended to blend one tsp of apple cider vinegar into the water before intake of the meal. Doing this helps get rid of bloating by easing digestion after the intake of a meal. You can consume it either with diluted water or directly before your meal intake.
Probiotics impact the entire ecosystem related to digestion. Being good bacteria, they help replace bad bacteria. Foods that are high in probiotics, such as greek yogurt and sauerkraut, help reverse gluten intolerance. The ideal way to incorporate nutrient-rich probiotics is to take them twice a day.
If you are keen to reverse gluten intolerance, it is time to get introduced to L-Glutamine. This powerful healing agent comes in the form of powder and has no specific taste. A great amino acid, it is competent for healing the cells of the digestive tract. Foods that contain a good amount of fiber are also helpful in boosting digestion.
- Reintroducing Gluten to Diet
Once you have cleansed your gut, strengthened it, and balanced it, you can introduce gluten back to your diet, provided there is no trace of Celiac disease. However, when you reintroduce gluten to your diet, do so in moderation; otherwise, your gluten intolerance may flare up again. You must also avoid eating whole wheat initially as it contains a greater gluten amount.
To find out whether you have Celiac disease or not, you can consult with a physician who might suggest a test to provide accurate results.
- Choosing Right Multivitamins
You need to maintain a well-balanced diet besides drinking sufficient water. For a healthy diet, incorporate multivitamin into your diet that is right for you.
Why Is It Important To Reverse Gluten Intolerance?
When a body becomes intolerant to gluten, it can cause problems not just related to the digestive system but the entire body, including the brain. The gut is responsible for ensuring that the body receives the essential nutrients required for the growth and repair of the body. So when gluten begins to weaken the gut, it makes it difficult for the body to heal. This further results in the development of an array of diseases and neurological disorders due to the constant destruction triggered by the consumption of gluten.
When it comes to reversing gluten intolerance, the mental state plays a pivotal role in healing many diseases. So besides trying the above-mentioned tips, it is vital to keep stress at bay besides ensuring good sleep quality. An overall positive attitude goes a long way when it comes to promoting good gut and rebuilding tissues.