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What is the Deal with Gluten Sensitivity?

By HERWriter
 
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The gluten-free diet seems to be the latest health trend thanks to Oprah and a few other celebrities.

Aside from the known medical issues for people with celiac disease, eliminating gluten may prove beneficial in some children, and yet result in little change in others. Some children are just more sensitive to gluten than others.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Oat does not contain gluten, although it can pick up the gluten from the other grains if mixed with them.

Gluten is what gives bread its spongy texture and makes pizza dough stretchy. It is also a thickener in sauces, soups and gravies. (2)

Gluten is also added to many products, not just food.

Celiac Disease vs. Gluten Sensitivity

In the case of celiac disease, the body’s immune system attacks even the tiniest crumb, damaging the small intestine in the process. One particular study suggests that celiac disease affects 1 in 133 Americans. (2)

Another 20 million Americans may be affected by nonceliac gluten sensitivity, which results in similar symptoms as celiac disease, but without damage to the small intestine. (2)

Some scientists believe that gluten can act like an opioid which increases the level of endorphins the body normally produces as a response to stress or pain. This opioid effect may explain why bread is considered a comfort food and why many people are keenly afraid of giving it up. (1)

Some researchers believe that children with epilepsy, Down syndrome and autism may benefit from a gluten-free or gluten-limited (and casein-free) diet.

In some children, incompletely digested, opioid-like proteins in the bloodstream can actually come in contact with the brain, resulting in symptoms often observed in autistic children. Some of these symptoms are clingy behavior, unpredictable responses, reduced socialization, repetitive behavior, and lower pain sensitivity.

Research continues into these apparent relationships. (1)

Symptoms of Gluten Sensitivity in Children

One way to see if your child has gluten sensitivity is to reduce or eliminate gluten from your child’s diet and watch for any changes in behavior or mood.

Symptoms of gluten sensitivity in children include (4):

• Acid Reflux

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

• Chronically spitting up

• Failure to thrive (short stature)

• Sore bottom

• Recurrent ear infections

• Cold/flu-like symptoms

• Rectal prolapse (tissue lining the rectum falls into or sticks through the anal opening)

• Bed wetting (in toddlers)

• Nutritional deficiencies (in toddlers)
• Diarrhea/constipation (in toddlers)

If you suspect your child, or you, if you’re nursing, may have gluten sensitivity, speak to your doctor. Since gluten is in so many food products, it is extremely difficult to go completely gluten-free. It may be difficult but it can be done.

Gluten-free foods may also have higher sugar and fat content to add flavor and texture to foods, which the gluten normally would do.

Sources:

1) Developmental Disorders and Dairy Products, Grains, Gluten and Other Proteins. Lahey, Margaret. Rosen, Shari. Children’s Disabilities Information. Web. Dec 16, 2012.
http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/allergies/developmentaldisordersprotein7.html

2) Is Gluten Bad for You? Ansel, Karen. Women’s Health. Web. Dec 16, 2012.
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/gluten-free-diet

3) What is Celiac Disease? American Celiac Disease Alliance. Web. Dec 16, 2012.
http://americanceliac.org/celiac-disease/

4) Gluten Sensitivities: What Gluten Sensitivity Looks Like In Infants, Toddlers, Teens and Adults. Cook, Tanda. Web. Dec 16, 2012.
http://www.freefromgluten.com/blogs/health-and-welness/2790722-gluten-sensitivities

Reviewed December 19 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

Description: Discussion about the differences between celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and the symptoms in children.

Page Title: 20 million Americans may be Affected by Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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