| As I search and browse throughout the Internet to | | | | wheat. |
| determine what people are discussing in regards to | | | | What is Gluten Intolerance? |
| Celiac disease, I find a troubling trend: People often | | | | Gluten intolerance, whether through Celiac disease or |
| do not understand that a wheat allergy is completely | | | | non-Celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), is an autoimmune |
| different from a gluten intolerance. In fact, many | | | | disease which manifests its symptoms over time. |
| people and many sites mistakenly use these two | | | | Gluten intolerance is a systemic response to the |
| terms interchangeably. | | | | proteins glutenin and gliadin within gluten. When |
| It is important for you to understand how these two | | | | unusually strong antibodies in your system react to |
| health conditions are two completely different | | | | these proteins, they attack the lining of your small |
| medical situations and why it is vital to appreciate the | | | | intestine. |
| difference between them. | | | | Over time, the villi along your small intestinal lining |
| What is A Wheat Allergy? | | | | wear down and make your intestine less able to |
| A wheat allergy is more like the allergies you most | | | | digest and absorb nutrients from your food. Despite |
| often hear about, such as hay fever or allergies to | | | | what many people seem to think, this is not an |
| pets. It is a histamine response wherein certain white | | | | instantaneous reaction. It can sometimes take years |
| blood cells (called bastophils) and mast cells react to | | | | for symptoms to result from gluten intolerance |
| Immunoglobulin E (IgE). It is not an autoimmune | | | | (although most often it only takes months or even |
| disease and it can be somewhat well treated in most | | | | just weeks). |
| cases with an antihistamine. | | | | I don't mean to suggest they are less severe; in |
| Wheat allergies manifest themselves with symptoms | | | | fact, gluten intolerance symptoms can be very |
| such as hives, rashes, itchiness, sneezing, watery | | | | severe and even life-threatening if they go untreated. |
| eyes and occasionally stomach or even mouth pain | | | | From fatigue and depression to serious malnutrition |
| (some people's tongues react to wheat). These | | | | (and much more), the long-term effects can be dire. |
| symptoms occur almost immediately after consuming | | | | |