Wheat Gluten Intolerance
by Sarah
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So what is wheat gluten intolerance? It is easy to use the terms wheat allergy and gluten intolerance interchangeably but it is important to understand that they are not actually the same thing. A wheat allergy and a wheat gluten intolerance are two different things. While many people with gluten intolerance are allergic to wheat products, not all people are. Conversely, those who have a wheat allergy are not necessarily gluten intolerant.
How to Tell the Difference Between A Wheat Allergy and Gluten Intolerance
Wheat Gluten Intolerance Kills Intestinal Villi
It is not easy to tell the difference sometimes and it is important that if you have severe symptoms that you see a doctor. It is impossible to get an exact diagnosis by simply reading articles on the Internet. For more comprehensive discussion on this confusing matter, please read my articles on gluten intolerance symptoms and gluten allergy symptoms.
An allergic response — a real histamine response — will be almost immediate. Gluten intolerance, on the hand, manifests its symptoms over time.
For instance, if you eat something with wheat in it and have an immediate reaction, then you have a wheat allergy but you are not necessarily gluten intolerant. Gluten intolerance symptoms include strong cramping in the abdomen and severe constipation, although the symptoms can vary, as there are actually different kinds of gluten intolerance, which is why it is important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Gluten Intolerance is More Than Just Wheat Gluten Intolerance
Note that the term wheat gluten intolerance implies only a gluten intolerance to foods with wheat, which is a serious misnomer. If you are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease you must avoid any foods with gluten. Gluten exists in a number of grains, including spelt, rye, barley and wheat.
Wheat and gluten intolerance both require a change in diet and it is helpful if you have either of these problems to find a few good cookbooks or web sites with wheat and gluten free recipes that you can use. You should remember, however, that since they are not the same things, that just because a recipe is wheat free does not mean it is gluten free.
I hope this helps dispel the confusion surrounding the term wheat gluten intolerance.
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