Gluten-free pizza crusts may help to avoid a growing health concern in the US: gluten-sensitivity.
Is Gluten-Sensitivity a Myth
There seems to be a lot of hype about gluten-sensitivity. But, is gluten-sensitivity a myth?
Celiac disease, also known as gluten sensitive enteropathy is very common but frequently missed. It is an autoimmune disease of intestinal damage due to gluten in people who are genetically predisposed.
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Classic Celiac disease is diagnosed by abnormal blood tests and an abnormal appearing intestine on biopsy and symptoms that resolve with a gluten free diet.
Gluten sensitivity, also called "gluten intolerance," happens because you are allergic or sensitive to gluten, a grain protein. Gluten is found in grains like rye, barley and wheat. Therefore, gluten sensitivity requires that you avoid anything with gluten in it (meaning anything made with wheat, barley or rye) so as to avoid the symptoms related to gluten intolerance.
Diagnosing Gluten Sensitivity & Celiac Disease
The proper tools must be used to accurately diagnose gluten sensitivity. Relying solely on a biopsy can delay a diagnosis for several years. I have personally seen cases of celiac disease where up to 8 biopsies were performed before a diagnosis was made. Blood antibody tests provide a better degree of accuracy but still have a great degree of false negatives. Genetic testing offers the greatest degree of accuracy and when combined with a patient's history and examination a diagnosis can be made early and accurately. However, the greatest tool is patient improvement. If a person starts to feel better on a gluten free diet it doesn't matter what blood tests or biopsies reveal. The proverbial proof is in the pudding.
What are the symptoms of gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance?
Most often, gluten intolerance symptoms are those related to the "gut." That is, you're going to have digestive difficulties when you ingest wheat, barley or rye; removing these products from your diet will alleviate your symptoms.
Digestive symptoms of gluten sensitivity include bloating, gas and diarrhea. However, what is less well known is that gluten sensitivity, because it causes inflammation that can affect the entire body, can also cause or exacerbate depression, anxiety, headaches, and aching joints.
There are many health problems that can be avoided by buying foods such as gluten-free pizza crusts.
