Is non-celiac gluten intolerance real or just a myth?

There’s currently a heated debate taking place in the medical community regarding the truth behind non-celiac gluten intolerance. Some doctors adamantly believe that non-celiac gluten intolerance is a real condition with very real consequences, while others believe it’s a “ghost” condition that doesn’t actually exist.

Celiac disease is by far the most common condition related to the consumption of gluten, with some estimated suggesting that as much as 1% of the entire population in the U.S. has the disease. It’s characterized by an autoimmune response triggered by the presence of gluten in the digestion system. When a person with celiac disease consumes gluten — whether it’s in food, beverages, condiments, etc. — the body’s immune system responds by attacking the small intestines; thus, triggering a wide variety of unpleasant and often painful symptoms.

Can a person without celiac disease exhibit adverse symptoms from consuming gluten? This is a question that’s still up for debate; however, a recent study found that nearly a quarter of people who reported to have non-celiac gluten intolerance did not meet the criteria for diagnosis.

The truth is that many people assume they are gluten intolerant simply because they experience an upset stomach or heartburn after consuming wheat-based foods and products, but in reality these symptoms are caused by some other force. There are dozens of symptoms associated with gluten intolerance, making a proper diagnosis difficult. After someone reads an article about the condition, they may assume they too are gluten intolerant.

It’s important to note, however, that medical evidence suggests that non-celiac gluten intolerance/sensitivity is a real condition. Numerous studies have found people who test negative to celiac disease to exhibit adverse symptoms after consuming gluten. This would leave most people, including myself, to conclude that non-celiac gluten intolerance does exist.

“This is a significant finding, but to claim it proves that non-coeliac gluten sensitivity doesn’t exist is both inaccurate and irresponsible. It’s a great way to get clicks and generate attention, but it’s an extreme distortion of what the study actually found,” wrote researchers.

What should you do if you are suffering from non-celiac gluten intolerance? Your first course of action should be to eliminate all sources of gluten from your diet. This includes, breads, flour, cookies, muffins, baked goods, condiments, soy sauce and any other food and beverages that contain wheat grains. Next, stock up on gluten-free products by browsing through our site here at QualityFreeGluten.com. We offer hundreds of gluten-free foods and beverages, all of which are safe for people with gluten intolerance to consume.