Many people feel that they don’t have a problem with gluten, they definitely don’t suffer from celiac disease, so why should they cut it out of their diet? Well, what a lot of people don’t realize is that they may well be suffering from the ill effects of gluten consumption without realizing, instead blaming it on a hectic lifestyle. The problem is that many of the side effects that you may suffer from consuming gluten can easily be dismissed as just being over tired, having one drink too many or just not eating as well as you could. Many people actually have a genetic predisposition to celiac disease, in particular those with Irish ancestry. Add to this that is has been noted in many cases the standard blood test for celiac disease is not always accurate for those with Irish ancestry, with further tests such as stomach lining biopsies being required it is not surprising that it is an under-diagnosed condition. It is estimated that around 1% of the American population suffer from diagnosed Celiac disease however because the symptoms vary so much from person to person, only around 10% of cases are actually clinically diagnosed.
Here are some commonly overlooked symptoms of gluten intolerance and celiac disease:
– Weight loss or gain;
– Nutritional deficiencies such as anemia;
– Digestive issues such as: Bloating;
– Stomach pain;
– Excessive wind;
– Constipation/diarrhea.
– Aching and pains in your joints;
– Depression/mood swings;
– Eczema;
– Headaches;
– Constantly feeling tired;
– Infertility, irregular menstrual cycle and miscarriage;
– Cramps, tingling and numbness in the limbs.
As you can see, nearly all of the symptoms on this list could be put down to something else, and that is why so many people continue to suffer without realizing what the root of their ailments is. If you are always feeling a bit run down, lack luster and as if you could do with a good spring clean, then cutting gluten out of your diet could be the answer.