5 Signs of Gluten Intolerance You Might Not Expect

Understanding some of the signs of gluten intolerance
Five ways how gluten intolerance impacts your body and mind.

More recently, people have sought to rubbish the idea that gluten intolerance exists. It’s true that it is difficult to test outside of testing positive for Coeliac Disease or a gluten allergy, but this does not mean that gluten does not affect some people negatively. We are able to test now for fructose and lactose intolerance through hydrogen testing, but ultimately,  diagnosis is very much rooted in simply how the body responds to digesting foods that contain them and the same is true for gluten.

It is estimated that 1 in a 100 people suffer from Coeliac Disease, which is a serious type of gluten intolerance. But just like 70% of the world’s population is intolerant to lactose, we believe many people are intolerant to gluten to varying degrees. Gluten is primarily found in wheat, barley and rye. It is also hidden in many modern processed foods such as condiments, salad dressings and soups.

How do you know you are gluten intolerant? Well, primarily by how consuming it makes you feel, especially regularly, versus how you feel when you cut it out of your diet. Many people associate food intolerance with gastric symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea, flatulence and abdominal pain. But the effects of food intolerance and low-level food allergies are more far reaching and some might surprise you.

Skin issues

Our skin is our largest organ and is affected by our gut health and systemic inflammation like all other organs. Gluten intolerance has been shown to contribute to psoriasis, eczema and acne. People who experience gluten intolerance have reported rashes, itchiness, blistering, burning and redness. You might find your skin is dull and patchy, and tends to be red in certain areas. You might experience dryness and a general lack of vitality about your skin. All of these things can be diet and food-intolerance related.

Tiredness

This is a really common experience among people with gluten intolerance and food intolerances in general. Dr Enam Abood commented:

When the body is constantly inflamed and the digestive system is struggling, nutrients aren’t being properly absorbed. A lot of emotional and physical energy is being used to battle this and to feel better, so it is inevitable that exhaustion is the outcome. It makes me very sad to know that some people are being misdiagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and other vague syndromes when in reality, they are mainly experiencing food intolerances.”

Aches and pains

Joint pain and muscle pain are common symptoms of gluten intolerance. The Arthritis Foundation supports findings that link arthritis and joint pain with intolerance to gluten. All food intolerances cause inflammation systemically throughout the body, it is inevitable that muscles and joints will respond by letting you know they are unhappy and their language is pain! 

Loss of Focus

There is no mind-body divide so what affects you body also affects your mind and vice-versa. A common but relatively subtle symptom of gluten intolerance is a loss of focus or “brain fog”. A recent study showed that the antibody immunoglobulin reacts abnormally to gluten in gluten intolerant people, resulting in diminished cognition. In addition, systemic inflammation of the gut caused by food intolerances and poor gut health has been shown to have a direct impact on our ability to focus and has even been linked to Alzheimer’s. Researchers suggest this finding means that improving gut health can slow or prevent the development of the disease in at-risk populations. What an incredible finding!

Weight Gain

Believe it or not, gluten intolerance can cause weight gain. This is because of the impact on gut permeability and malabsorption and systemic inflammation. Managing your weight is hard enough without your gut being on your side. In addition, the way gluten intolerance makes you feel – low energy, dull skin, tummy trouble, headaches, aches and pains – will inevitably get in the way of your self-esteem, ability to care for yourself properly and contribute to depression and anxiety. A real obstacle to maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight.

Dr Enam Abood is available for consultations at our Queen Anne Street branch, where we also conduct multiple tests relating to food intolerances, allergies and nutritional deficiencies.

Leave a Comment

  • Anisa Akthar says:

    I found this article very useful. I think people need to become more aware as they be suffering from the symptoms of gluten intolerance.

  • Callum says:

    I actually found out I was allergic to gluten when my skin started to get red and started to burn after having a cake. People have to be aware of these points as the numbers of people who have it are quite high.

    • Alya Marquardt says:

      Totally true Callum! That’s quite a strong reaction you had. It’s more common than people think, most certainly. Have you had a test for coeliac disease?

  • Jess says:

    I’m always aching and paining no matter the circumstance 😛 But being more aware of these symptoms is key for anyone.

    • Alya Marquardt says:

      Hi Jess, sorry to hear that. Living with pain is hard. We hope that this blog was helpful at least in beginning to eliminate any dietary causes. Wishing you well from the whole team here!

  • Lilly AMORELLI says:

    I would like to know the cost of having some diagnostic tests re food intolerances. Thank you

    • Alya Shakir says:

      Hi Lilly. Thanks for your enquiry. We have a range of tests available so in the first instance, you can either have a consultation with a GP if you are unsure which intolerances you may be experiencing or you can test directly if you are sure. We offer lactose and fructose intolerance tests, coeliac screens and gluten allergy tests. The best measure of a good intolerance is how your body reacts if you exclude that food group. Have you tried an elimination diet yet?