Could You Be Gluten Intolerant?


Filed under: Health Tips


Woman with headache“Gluten intolerant” has been a popular subject in the news lately, but it isn’t just a trendy diet-industry catchphrase. Gluten intolerance is a very real condition that could affect an estimated 15 percent of the US population. However, it is also estimated that 99 percent of people with gluten intolerance have never been diagnosed. That means you could be gluten intolerant without even knowing it!

More than 55 different diseases have been linked to gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, and barley (and therefore many common foods in the typical American diet). The most well-known is celiac disease, but many other conditions are also suspected to originate from gluten intolerance or sensitivity. If you have any of the following symptoms, especially if you have several of them, it is very possible that you are one of the many undiagnosed gluten intolerant or sensitive individuals suffering from this condition.

  • Chronic digestive problems like bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea (constipation is particularly common in children)
  • Fatigue or “brain fog”, particularly after you’ve eaten a lot of gluten
  • Autoimmune disease or symptoms of conditions like psoriasis, lupus, scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
  • Migraine headaches
  • Hormone imbalances, including unexplained infertility, PCOS, or PMS
  • Chronic fatigue
  • A diagnosis of fibromyalgia
  • Inflammation, swelling, or pain in joints
  • Mood problems, like anxiety, depression, or ADHD
  • Neurological problems, such as feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or off balance
  • Keratosis Pilaris, or “chicken skin” on the backs of your arms, which is caused by a deficiency in fatty acids and vitamin A from gluten damaging your digestive tract

As widespread and troublesome as these symptoms can be, there is one simple solution for people who are sensitive or intolerant to gluten: Simply eliminate all traces of gluten from your diet.

Of course, that’s easier said than done. While there are many more gluten-free products on the market than ever before, you shouldn’t live on packaged foods either. Most of us want, and need, to enjoy delicious home-cooked meals on a regular basis. But for those new to the gluten-free lifestyle, or for people too busy to cook every night, sticking to your new healthy lifestyle can pose quite a challenge.

You might even find yourself saying, “It feels like I need a personal chef!”. Luckily, you can have exactly that, and it’s easier than you might believe. Contact The Peaceful Plate  at (951) 852-5765 for more information on their home delivery service, and find out just how easy it can be to enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals. And most importantly, you’ll find out how great it feels to live a longer, healthier, gluten-free life.