The term ‘gluten-free’ is ubiquitous in modern society. Dietary gluten (or wheat) is often blamed for causing a variety of unpleasant symptoms, health problems, and weight gain. Today many people avoid gluten in the belief that it will improve their health or help them to lose weight. Health professionals have expressed concern that increasing numbers of people are self-diagnosing gluten allergies and intolerances.
So what are the facts?
For the majority of the population, gluten has no effect on the body. For some people (approximately 1% of the Australian population) gluten can be harmful. Those people suffer from Coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity. There is no clear evidence to suggest that people are becoming more intolerant of gluten, however much research is being undertaken in this space. One small, although high quality, study at Monash University did suggest gluten was capable of causing illness in people who did not have celiac disease but this is yet to be conclusively confirmed.
Gluten sensitivity can lead to similar symptoms of Coeliac disease such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and bloating. However there is no associated damage to the small intestine.
The only way to know if you have Coeliac disease or a gluten sensitivity is to be tested by a health professional. It cannot be self-diagnosed based on symptoms. Coeliac Awareness Week is held annually between 13 and 20 March and aims to raise awareness of coeliac disease and its symptoms, and promote the message of the importance of getting tested. Go to www.coeliac.org.au
Your pharmacist can assist if you have any questions, so Ask Piggotts!