The Investigation Chances are you know someone with a gluten sensitivity despite reports that only 6-7% of the population suffer from it. That’s because testing is tricky and false negatives can make people think their health issues are caused by something else. In this episode, I want to break down what’s going on and help you determine if a gluten sensitivity might be at the root of your health mystery.    Understanding Gluten Intolerance Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. A person with gluten intolerance cannot digest the protein portion of these grains which triggers an immune response to what the body deems a foreign substance. This immune reaction causes inflammation in the digestive system and damages the lining tissue which, in turn, can cause symptoms like fatigue, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, gas, and cramping. The compromised lining can leave the person more susceptible to bacteria, parasites, and funguses.  Overtime, if a person who has a gluten intolerance continues to eat gluten, their small intestine may also become damaged which leads to malabsorption of nutrients. This can cause fatigue and weight gain. And, the person will be at an increased risk of insomnia, osteoporosis, hormone imbalances, inability to deal with stress, and mood swings. Over time, additional issues may arise like lactose intolerance, depression, leaky gut syndrome (leading to higher susceptibility to infections and other illnesses.) Gluten Intolerance is the Root Cause of Many Health Issues Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance There are many symptoms that could be the result of a gluten intolerance. How many from this list can you check off?    Weight gain Unexplained fatigue Difficulty relaxing, feel tense frequently Unexplained digestive problems Female hormone imbalances, (PMS, menopausal symptoms) Muscle or joint pain or stiffness of unknown cause  Migraine like headaches Food allergies/sensitivities Difficulty digesting dairy products Tendency to over consume alcohol Overly sensitive to physical and emotional pain, cry easily Cravings for sweets, bread, carbohydrates Tendency to overeat sweets, bread, carbohydrates Abdominal pain or cramping Abdominal bloating or distention Intestinal gas “Love” specific foods Eat when upset, eat to relax Constipation or diarrhea of no known cause Unexplained skin problems/rashes Difficulty gaining weight Anorexia Bulimia Rosacea Diabetes Osteoporosis/bone loss Iron deficiency/anemia hronic fatigue Candida Hypoglycemia If you checked off 4 or less it is very unlikely that you have a gluten sensitivity. If you scored between 5 and 8 there may be a reason to suspect it. If you scored 9 or higher there can be a good chance that you are gluten sensitive.   What is a Gluten-Free Diet? Gluten-free means avoiding all foods containing gluten, including wheat, rye, spelt, bulgar, semolina, couscous, kamut and some oats. Gluten can be hidden in processed foods and thickened products such as sauces and soups so read labels carefully. While this can be an adjustment at first, eating gluten free if you are sensitive will make a huge difference in your health.     What’s the Difference between Celiac and Gluten Sensitivity? Celiac disease is an extreme intolerance to gluten where eating gluten will actually damage the lining of your intestines and cause mal-absorption along with many other symptoms such as all types of GI issues, skin issues, headaches, arthritis, depression and the list goes on and on. A gluten sensitivity is when you do not have full-blown celiac and your intestines are not completely damaged but eating gluten makes you feel worse and can often cause very similar if not the same symptoms of those with celiac disease.   What are the Problems with Celiac Testing (and Why is it so Hard to Get a True Answer)? Testing for this is very tricky because the occurrence of false negatives is often likely. The only way to get a true celiac test is to go to the GI doctor and have a bi