Gluten sensitivity and celiac disease could be behind your problematic health symptoms. Knowing for sure if you’re negatively affected by gluten can be challenging, as symptoms can range from digestive issues, like gas and bloating, to neurological or immune symptoms. One way to test if gluten is the problem is by removing all gluten-containing foods from your diet and monitoring the progress of your symptoms. If they clear up, you may have found the answer.
Understanding the Impact of Gluten Sensitivity
Nearly everyone has some level of gluten sensitivity, and the discomfort associated with gluten reactions may be only one part of the issue. Proper medical testing can determine whether your symptoms are due to other food sensitivities, abnormal bacterial overgrowth, parasites, or neurological triggers. It’s important to note that the gastrointestinal (GI) tract contains neurological, hormonal, and immune system components – damage from gluten reactions to the GI tract can have significant effects on your entire body.
Testing for Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease
Blood and allergen testing may be used to determine whether you have a minor gluten intolerance or celiac disease. However, gluten-sensitivity blood tests can often produce false negative results. To get a more accurate reading of the level of gluten sensitivity, many clinics use saliva and/or stool testing. Stool tests, such as the one available at Enterolab.com, and saliva test kits can be purchased at Unikeyhealth.com without a doctor’s order.
When trying to determine the severity of your gluten reaction and the possibility of having celiac disease, further testing can analyze damage to the intestinal lining. The stool test from Enterolab can measure the fat in the stool, with high levels indicating damage to the intestines due to non-absorption.
Navigating a Gluten-Free Lifestyle
Complete avoidance of gluten-containing foods is the universal recommendation for healing gluten problems. Whether you’re mildly sensitive or highly sensitive, you’ll need to become familiar with food labels to ensure you’re not unknowingly consuming gluten. Products labeled as “wheat-free” might not necessarily be gluten-free – make sure the label explicitly says “gluten-free.” Today, with the increasing demand for gluten-free foods, many manufacturers are labeling their products for gluten-free consumers clearly.
Supporting Your Digestive Health
Reducing inflammation and damage caused by not just gluten but several other pro-inflammatory food items like sugar, alcohol, processed foods, and dairy can be aided by supplementing with targeted botanicals and nutrients. Ingredients like tangerine peel, cardamom, ginger, zinc, chromium, and more can help reduce inflammation, repair the intestinal lining, improve nutrient assimilation, relieve digestive discomfort, and promote a healthy microbial balance. An integrative digestive formula containing these ingredients offers broad-spectrum support for rebuilding and rebalancing digestion, elimination, and nutrient absorption.
It’s essential to identify if gluten is the cause of your health problems. Doing so can pave your way to a healthier, more balanced life, as millions of people have already restored their health by avoiding gluten. Always follow your gut and get appropriate testing to increase awareness and understanding of your personal health and wellness.
