Gluten Intolerance? Or and Addiction?

If you suffer from any form of gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity, or gluten allergy than you may be aware of the many symptoms which result from eating gluten. The easiest to identify are the ones that present themselves in the digestive system such irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating or constipation. Some of the other more than 200 symptoms include joint pain, skin problems such as acne and eczema, hair loss, anxiety, fatigue, weight gain, mental fog, arthritis, asthma, irregular menstrual cycles, impotence, and many, many others. In other words, those with gluten intolerance are faced with the possibility of many ailments. So to suggest that gluten may make you high may seem a little strange.

After all, the notion of being high involves the idea of something pleasant, don’t you agree? And I’m not sure if joint pain or frequent painful trips to the bathroom sounds pleasing in any manner. I certainly don’t feel euphoria from doubling over in pain, do you?

The idea that gluten may cause an addictive reaction stems from the fact that gluten contains peptide chemicals that act as opioids. In other words, they can give off an opiate like effect.

Now I will say at this point that there has been very little research into this connection between the peptide chemicals in gluten and its ability for gluten to become almost addictive for some people. But some argue this could be the reason that people tend to crave the foods containing gluten. Others would argue that it has more to do with the amount of sugar and sweeteners in those same foods. The debate has not been settled.

Some wonder if the reason that gluten affects people differently, whereas some can eat it with no signs of intolerance or allergy while others cannot, points back to its addictive nature. Much in the same way that opiates affect people differently.

One of the theories behind why the peptide chemicals are treated differently in each individual body points back to the intestines and damage that may have been caused by gluten. Any gluten sensitivity or intolerance causes additional stress on the intestines. In one form of gluten intolerance known as Celiac Disease, the villi in the small intestines are damaged causing a reversible condition known as villous atrophy. It’s been suggested that intestinal damage leads to the possibility that more opioids are absorbed into the body’s system rather than being contained and flushed out.

It is believed that because greater amounts of this peptide chemical are released into the system through damaged intestines, then a greater reaction is experienced by those with a sensitivity or intolerance. There have not been enough case studies or research done on this theory to confirm this relationship but it has been suggested and considered.

What we can be certain of is that some people react negatively to gluten while others are able to process it with no complications. Knowing which side of that situation you fall on will help you adjust your diet to include a gluten free focus and experience a greater level of health, overall wellness, vitality, and easily maintained weight.

There are over 200 possible side effects of a gluten sensitivity and most American experience at least some of these symptoms. True, they may not all be the result of gluten; however, since gluten based products are such a large part of most diets it is an obvious place to explore. Continue your exploration about gluten sensitivity, allergies, and intolerance – you may just find out that eating a gluten free menu is just perfect for you.