Gluten and it’s evil plan to F*CK shit up.
Okay, so full disclosure: I curse. I'm not going to apologize for the fact that the F-word is my favorite. So, it'll be sprinkled in like a fine seasoning from time to time. Also, I thought it made for a great tagline, so I had to go with it.
Trusting my intuition here, that other like-minded folks will giggle and keep reading.
Okay, so what is gluten and why does it have an evil plan for people like me? Well, in my mind, gluten is like a tiny ninja warrior that comes in like a silent killer, causing complete destruction and mayhem with every move.
Sounds a bit dramatic, right?!
Well, yeah, it's quite the simile if you ask me.
Allow me to get nerdy for a minute and talk science with you. Bear with me, and I'll return to normal conversation momentarily.
Overview
Gluten is a mix of proteins from the prolamin family; gliadin protein is found in wheat, secalin protein is found in rye, avenin protein is from oats, and hordein protein is in barley. These prolamins are considered to be the major endosperm storage proteins of grains (Cebolla et al, 2018). If you remember in biology, the endosperm of the grain is what provides nutrients for the embryo in the seed of flowering plants (Britannica).
Image Source: Harvard School of Public Health, Nutrition Source- Whole Grains
This means that most of these grains are rich in gluten proteins. These protein molecules, known as amino acids, are proline and glutamine, which are considered non-essential and are water-insoluble. Meaning that they do not dissolve, and instead linger within the gastrointestinal tract (Cebolla et al., 2018).
For people with Celiac disease or who are gluten intolerant (🙋🏻♀️), this delay causes the body to launch an immune response, making it a true autoimmune disorder. The gluten then further damages the lining of the small intestine, called microvilli. These microvilli are responsible for absorbing nutrients that are transported in the bloodstream.
These damaged microvilli are what doctors look for in intestinal biopsies to confirm Celiac Disease.
Image Source: Cleveland Clinic- Celiac Disease
Malabsorption Issues:
As you've probably guessed, the damage to the microvilli can lead to a whole host of nutrient malabsorption issues such as:
- Vitamin B12 and B1 deficiencies
- Anemia (Vitamin B12, Iron, and folate deficiencies)
- Malabsorption affecting the growth of children
-Bone issues such as osteoporosis and osteopenia (due to Vitamin D and calcium deficiency) can be exacerbated by a secondary lactose intolerance that may accompany Celiac Disease.
- Night blindness (Vitamin A deficiency)
- Weight loss due to the malabsorption of many nutrients
- Edema or fluid retention from the loss of protein and albumin
- Weakness from low potassium and electrolytes
- Bleeding issues from Vitamin K deficiency
Phew... did you get all of that!???
Sooooo, basically, gluten likes to F*ck things up— and it’s really not far off from my ninja example, am I right?!
What's the "cure," you might be asking?
Hide from gluten like it's out to kill you—'cause basically, it is.
Seriously, though the only cure for people who have Celiac Disease or who are gluten intolerant is to eat a gluten-free diet for life. This takes careful adherence, and hypervigilance as some stuff everything seems to have gluten in it.
Symptoms of Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance can range from:
- Extreme stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Mouth ulcers
- Constipation
- Weight loss
- Gas and flatulence
- Foul-smelling stool
- Abnormal blood values
- Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
- Infertility
- Growth issues in children
This list is not exhaustive, and symptoms can vary from individual to individual (Johns Hopkins Medicine).
So, as you can imagine, this is one of those diseases that can have a significant negative impact on a person if left untreated, not to mention the low quality of life until diagnosis and a gluten-free diet are implemented.
I’m sure you all have questions at this point, and if you think you might have a gluten issue, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider about it. They might want to run some tests, and as mentioned, the only way to deal with a gluten issue is to abstain from all things glutenous. Luckily, there are many great products out there nowadays.
Health & Beauty
Oh, and on a health and beauty note: Your skin, being the largest organ, you might want to err on the safe side and take a look at any health and beauty products, which might also include wheat, barley, or rye ingredients. Many brands now offer gluten-free health and beauty products, so Yay!
Summary
In this blog post, I delve into the impact of gluten on individuals like me who have Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance. I explain how gluten affects the body, particularly the damage it can cause to the lining of the small intestine. I outline various symptoms associated with these conditions and stress the importance of seeking medical advice for diagnosis and adopting a gluten-free diet. Additionally, I highlight the availability of gluten-free products in both the food and beauty industries.
I hope this summary of gluten intolerance and Celiac Disease was helpful!!!
Don’t let the tiny ninja get you down!
Sources:
Cebolla, Á., Moreno, M. de L., Coto, L., & Sousa, C. (2018, December 5). Gluten immunogenic peptides as standard for the evaluation of potential harmful prolamin content in food and human specimen. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6316305/#:~:text=Prolamins%20are%20the%20main%20components,celiac%20and%20gluten%2Dsensitive%20patients.
Celiac disease. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/celiac-disease
Celiac disease: Symptoms & how it’s treated. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14240-celiac-disease
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Endosperm. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/endosperm
Whole grains. The Nutrition Source. (2019, November 4). https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/whole-grains/
