Help for Celiacs and Gluten-Sensitive!
Effects of Consuming GlutenÂ
If you have celiac disease, consuming gluten can have significant negative impacts on their health. Because Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition, your immune system reacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Here are some potential consequences that you may experience if you eat gluten:
Intestinal Damage: Consuming gluten triggers an immune response that leads to inflammation and damage to the small intestine lining. This damage interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food, leading to malnutrition and related health issues.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Eating gluten can cause a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Prolonged exposure to gluten in individuals with celiac disease can result in nutrient deficiencies due to impaired absorption. This can lead to issues such as iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiencies, osteoporosis, and a weakened immune system.
Long-term Complications: Continued ingestion of gluten by individuals with celiac disease increases the risk of long-term complications. These can include intestinal damage, increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal cancers (such as intestinal lymphomas), and the development of other autoimmune disorders.
Non-Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Celiac disease can also manifest with symptoms beyond the gastrointestinal system. These can include fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes (dermatitis herpetiformis), migraines, infertility, and neurological symptoms like tingling or numbness.
Psychological Effects: Living with celiac disease and experiencing the consequences of consuming gluten can have psychological effects. It can lead to frustration, anxiety, depression, and a decreased overall quality of life, especially when individuals face challenges in adhering to a strict gluten-free diet.
To manage celiac disease, you must follow a strict gluten-free diet for their entire lives. Removing gluten from diet allows the small intestine to heal, reduces symptoms, and minimizes the risk of complications. You must be diligent in reading food labels, avoiding cross-contamination, and seeking support from healthcare professionals and support groups to navigate the challenges of living gluten-free.