Inside: Ever wonder why gluten seems to cause chaos for some people but not others? Let’s uncover what this sticky little protein does to your gut — and when it’s time to dig deeper.
What's the Deal with Gluten and Your Gut?
Think of gluten as the “glue” that adds chewiness to many of our food favourites. Gluten essentially makes food stick together. However, for some people, this “glue” causes havoc in the gut. For someone with celiac disease, eating gluten causes their immune system to attack the small intestine. This is what causes damage to the finger-like projections that line your gut called villi. Villi are essential for absorbing nutrients from the food you eat and when they are destroyed, your body has difficulty absorbing the nutrients it requires – leading to issues.
Even if you don’t have celiac disease, you might still experience discomfort from gluten. Many people report experiencing bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and even fatigue after they eat gluten. This is referred to as non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Basically, your gut is trying to say something is not quite right!
Celiac Disease: More Than Just an Upset Stomach
Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disease. It isn’t just feeling off after a meal. Celiac disease can have a range of symptoms and sometimes they feel completely unrelated to the gut! Symptoms can include chronic diarrhea/constipation, unexplained weight loss, debilitating fatigue, headaches and brain fog. Some people even develop skin rashes, like dermatitis herpetiformis, which is a very itchy rash. Celiac disease symptoms can be confusing because each individual’s symptoms can vary greatly- while others have no symptoms at all!
The Consequences of Undiagnosed Celiac Disease
And this is where celiac disease gets serious. Not identifying and treating celiac disease can have serious consequences for your overall health. Because your body is not absorbing nutrients properly, it can lead to nutrient deficiencies (for example iron) and increase your risk of other serious diseases. Researchers have linked undiagnosed celiac disease to a number of health complications, some of which may surprise you:
- Schizophrenia: Research suggests a connection between celiac disease and an increased risk of schizophrenia [1] This is a complex subject, but it shows how gut health can influence brain health.
- Diabetes: Celiac disease is also known to be associated with type 1 diabetes, both being an autoimmune disease with similar genetic factors [2]
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): While this requires more research, there are studies examining whether people with celiac disease are at risk for MS [3].
- Some cancers: This is a biggie. Undiagnosed celiac disease is associated with a higher risk of certain gastrointestinal cancers and especially Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma [4, 5]. This is associated with the chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction that is caused when gluten continues to harm your gut lining.
Don't Leave It Up to Chance, Celiac Disease Testing is Necessary!
These potential concerns show how important it is to get tested for celiac disease, especially if you have symptoms, or if there is a history in your family. The blood test your doctor will most likely want to order is a tTG-IgA (tissue transglutaminase IgA) blood test for the antibodies that your body produces when it has a gluten reaction.
A very important note: In order to have accurate results, you need to be eating gluten frequently before the test. I mean two servings of gluten every day for at least a couple of months. If you have already eliminated gluten, then you are now in what we call a “gluten challenge,” and that is where it is important to reintroduce gluten under doctor supervision before a test, because if not, then you might end up negative on the test even if you do have celiac and you might misinterpret this result as having a negative celiac disease diagnosis.
Celiac Can Develop Over Time and Even If You Don't Have Symptoms
It’s pretty crazy (and maybe a little scary!), but celiac disease can develop at any time in your life. You might not have had it as a child, but randomly develop it later. And remember how I mentioned there are many people who have no symptoms at all? This is where frequent retesting can be a good idea- especially if you have a genetic predisposition, or other autoimmune conditions.
You can also get genetic testing for celiac disease (specifically look for the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes). Genetic testing will not diagnose celiac disease, but it can tell you if you have the marker genes that put you at risk. If you have neither, then it is not likely you will ever develop celiac disease. If you have one or the other, it means you have a predisposition and it can help you decide how frequently you should get retested and how watchful you need to be.
Curious how your gut might be affecting your mood and focus too? Read my post on the gut-brain axis to learn how digestion and anxiety are closely linked.
Low energy, brain fog, or feeling run-down can be signs your iron needs support. This free guide and meal plan share simple, food-first ways to support iron absorption, steady your energy, and rebuild your iron levels naturally.
The Path to Feeling Better: Strictly Avoid Gluten
For both celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, the treatment is the same: strictly avoid gluten. This means all wheat, barley and rye. I know this sounds hard, but it is very manageable with some help and guidance. It isn’t just about changing your diet; it is about repairing your gut, reducing inflammation and gaining back your energy. And it is about taking your knowledge and using it to empower you to make decisions that nourish your body and mind.
You do not have to walk this path alone. I myself follow a gluten free diet and I’m happy to help you get the proper testing and with how to start a gluten free lifestyle if needed. Check out my work with me page to see how we can work together through The Calm & Clear Method. I don’t currently have celiac disease, but I have the genetic predisposition, indicators suggesting gluten sensitivity and my dad passed away from cancer (and one of the cancers he had was Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma). I’m pretty sure my dad had undiagnosed celiac disease and I wish I knew then what I know now. So, will you please do me the incredible honor of getting tested today, so I know you will be ok? Share this with as many people as you can (scroll to see social share icons below). Let’s potentially save lives! Not sure what to eat for a happier gut? Your free copy of 5 Ways to Supercharge Your Gut Health can help with simple, science-backed steps to feel steady and in control again. Check out the other free resources in the freebies library.
Resources for Genetic Testing:
Xcode Life is a website where you can upload your ancestry raw data (you can request it for free through your ancestry dashboard) and find out your gluten intolerance risk through their $40 gene nutrition pack. They include celiac markers.
RxHomeTest is a website where you can order a sterile swab home test kit to check your celiac genetic risk and it ships to Canada and the US.
Be well,
Alysha Breanne
References:
[1] Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2004, February 19). Celiac Disease is a Risk Factor for Schizophrenia. Retrieved from https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2004/celiac-schizophrenia
[2] Celiac Disease Foundation. Autoimmune Disorders. Retrieved from https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/related-conditions/autoimmune-disorders/
[3] Celiac Disease Foundation. Celiac Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. Retrieved from https://www.beyondceliac.org/celiac-disease/related-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/
[4] Healthline. (2022, May 27). Celiac Disease and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/lymphoma/celiac-and-non-hodgkins-lymphoma
[5] Patient Power. (2023, September 29). Celiac Disease and Lymphoma: What’s the Connection?. Retrieved from https://www.patientpower.info/lymphoma/celiac-disease-and-lymphoma
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Alysha Breanne, CHN, CFNP — Certified Holistic and Functional Nutritionist helping women with iron deficiency, low ferritin, fatigue, and absorption issues restore steady energy using personalized nutrition and testing when needed.