Some people have a dietary sensitivity to gluten, the protein found in grains such as wheat, rye and barley. If you have a gluten sensitivity, your body cannot tolerate gluten and responds to it as if it was a harmful pathogen. Inflammation is the immune system's response to injury and infection. Inflammation is necessary for healing, but can be harmful when it is chronic. Gluten-sensitive individuals can have chronic inflammation if they continue to consume gluten.
Mechanism of Inflammation
When your body senses an unwelcome intruder, such as a pathogen, it responds by releasing histamine to the affected area. Histamine has localized effects that increase blood vessel permeability, causing fluid that contains white blood cells to flood the area so that the white blood cells can do battle against the perceived threat. In the case of gluten sensitivity, however, the inflammatory response causes damage to intestinal structures called villi, which are important for absorbing nutrients from the food you eat.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease occurs when gluten sensitivity causes damage to your intestinal villi due to inflammation. If you have celiac disease, you are vulnerable to malnutrition, as your intestines can no longer absorb adequate amounts of dietary nutrients. The symptoms of celiac disease vary, but can include abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, weight loss, vitamin deficiency, canker sores and infertility.
Diet for Gluten Sensitivity
A gluten-free diet is the only form of effective treatment for celiac disease, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. If you have celiac disease, or gluten sensitivity, you'll need to eliminate gluten from your diet in order to prevent gluten-related inflammation. Even small amounts of gluten can cause intestinal inflammation.
Foods for Gluten Sensitivity
Avoiding gluten-related inflammation requires educating yourself about foods that contain gluten. A consultation with a dietitian will help. Grains to avoid include wheat, rye, barley and triticale. You'll need to read labels and avoid foods that contain any of these grains. Many processed foods that you might not suspect can contain gluten. These include bouillon cubes, French fries, soy sauce, candy and salami, among others. Grains that are safe for those with gluten sensitivity include amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat, corn, flax and millet. Gluten can also be found in non-food products, such as adhesives, medications, cosmetics, personal hygiene products and vitamins.
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