Heartburn is defined by a burning sensation in your stomach, most often after a meal, and is usually worse when lying down or bending over, according to MayoClinic.com. Consult your doctor if you experience heartburn more than twice a week so the proper investigations are done to identify the source of your problem. For some people, heartburn can indicate the presence of celiac disease or gluten intolerance, and a gluten-free diet could resolve your painful condition.
Standard Advice
Heartburn sufferers know the standard advice by heart, although many are not able to find relief by following these standard basic recommendations. Avoiding alcohol, spices, caffeine, acidic foods such as citrus, tomato and vinegar as well as fried and fatty foods may be enough to control heartburn in some people, but following these dietary restrictions may not work for you if gluten sensitivity is at the root of the burning sensation in your stomach.
Gluten Sensitivity
If you still experience heartburn despite all of your efforts to avoid the potential irritants in your diet, ask your doctor to be tested for gluten sensitivity. There are many different tests to identify celiac disease and different forms of gluten sensitivity; more research is still needed to completely understand the extent of its prevalence. A negative result does not completely rule out the possibility of gluten being involved with your health issues, according to Dr. Stephen Wangen, founder of the IBS Treatment Center and author of "Healthier Without Wheat: A New Understanding of Wheat Allergies, Celiac Disease, and Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance."
Go Gluten-Free
If you believe gluten could be responsible for your heartburn, there is no harm in going on a gluten-free diet to see if it can help you resolve your health problem. Consult your doctor first, especially if you intend to get tested for celiac disease or gluten intolerance, because eliminating gluten could influence the result of the test. Going gluten-free for a period of three to four weeks is all you need to determine if a gluten-free diet can help you better manage your heartburn. Keep a journal and write down what you eat and when you experience heartburn to follow your progression and help you objectively judge the efficacy of your gluten-free diet.
Avoid Gluten-Containing Foods
If you are gluten sensitive, going gluten-free will help you relieve your heartburn. However, it is important that you eliminate all traces of gluten from your diet for your gluten-free diet to be effective. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley, most oats and foods made from these grains. Avoid breads, pizzas, pasta, couscous, breakfast cereals, oatmeal and baked goods and replace them with gluten-free carbs such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, legumes, quinoa and rice. Carefully read ingredient lists, because gluten can find its way in many sauces, seasoning mixes, marinades, frozen entrees and processed foods.
References
- Celiac Sprue Association: Treatment of Celiac Disease
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Study from University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research Places Gluten Sensitivity on Center Stage of Spectrum of Gluten-Related Disorders
- "Healthier Without Wheat: A New Understanding of Wheat Allergies, Celiac Disease, and Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance"; Stephen Wangen; 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Heartburn; May 2011
