Gluten Intolerance

Up to 6% of the global population suffer from Gluten Intolerance.

If you experience stomach cramps, bloating or other similar symptoms every time you eat food containing gluten, then you may have a gluten intolerance.

But exactly what is gluten? It’s the name of the protein found in cereals and grains, including wheat, barley and rye, that acts like a binder in food and gives it that springy feel. That means if you do have an intolerance you’re likely to feel symptoms every time you eat food that contains cereals or gains, such as bread, pasta, cakes and many commonly eaten foods. This can make shopping and eating out tricky, but thankfully there are plenty of options out there that mean it’s manageable.

What is gluten intolerance?

A gluten intolerance, also known as gluten sensitivity or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, is when your body struggles to digest or metabolise gluten, which results in unpleasant, uncomfortable or painful symptoms.

There is some crossover with celiac disease, which can have similar symptoms to an intolerance. However, the key difference is that celiac disease is caused by the immune system and can have a long-lasting impact on the body.

Gluten Intolerance vs gluten allergy

While it’s often possible for someone to have an intolerance or an allergy to certain types of food, this isn’t the case when it comes to gluten. You most definitely can have a gluten intolerance, but you can’t have an allergy to it. If your symptoms are more in line with an allergy rather than an intolerance, you may have an allergy to another type of food, such as wheat. A wheat allergy or intolerance is commonly mistaken for a gluten intolerance, but there are key differences.

How common is a gluten intolerance?

Gluten is actually a fairly common intolerance, with up to 6% of people around the world thought to have it. This is in addition to those who have celiac disease or wheat intolerance.

Gluten intolerance symptoms

If you have symptoms after eating food that contains gluten, you may have an intolerance. Here’s our gluten intolerance symptoms checklist so you can see if this is what you experience whenever you eat food containing gluten:

  • Bloating
  • Diarrhoea
  • Stomach pain
  • Constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Red or itchy skin

How to test for gluten intolerance

If you think you might have a gluten intolerance, there is a fast and affordable way to find out.

Gluten intolerance test

There isn’t a specific gluten intolerance test. But you could take a food intolerance and sensitivity test which takes a sample of your hair and tests it against up to 970 triggers to uncover more about your body’s relationship with food and other substances – including many foods that contain gluten.

Body Intolerance Test product
blood allergy testing

Gluten allergy test

Because you can’t have a gluten allergy, there isn’t a test to find out. However, if you experience allergy symptoms after eating certain foods, a blood allergy test can be taken at home and sent to our lab to confirm exactly what foods you have an allergy to in under a week.

How does a gluten intolerance impact your diet?

Because so many different types of food contain gluten – from bread to sauces – it can have a big impact on your diet, including eating out. However, because gluten intolerance is so common, there’s a huge range of alternatives available which means you can continue to enjoy all your favourites.

The important change to make is that you’ll need to pay close attention to product labels to ensure what you buy doesn’t contain gluten. You might be surprised by just how easy making that change can be.

Gluten-free foods

We’ve already mentioned how many gluten-free alternatives are available, with most supermarkets having an aisle dedicated to products for those who want or need to avoid gluten. Here are some other alternatives you can consider introducing to your diet:

Flour

  • Almond
  • Arrowroot
  • Brown rice
  • Buckwheat
  • Coconut
  • Cornmeal (maize)
  • Garbanzo
  • Millet
  • Oat
  • Potato
  • Teff

Bread and bread products

Cereals

  • Cornflakes
  • Oatmeal
  • Granola

Pasta

  • Buckwheat
  • Chickpea
  • Quinoa
  • Red lentil
  • Rice

Foods to avoid if you have a gluten intolerance

Gluten is found in so many foods you may enjoy daily, so it’s important to be aware so you can make alternative choices. Foods to avoid unless labelled as ‘Gluten Free’ include:

  • Bread
  • Cereals
  • Pasta
  • Cakes
  • Pastries
  • Biscuits
  • Sauces

Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAMS)

Our food sensitivity tests are carried out using bioresonance therapy and is categorised under Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMs) which covers a wide range of therapies that fall outside mainstream medicine. Tests and related information provided do not make a medical diagnosis nor is it intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider if you have a medical condition or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and/or medical symptoms.

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We believe that in providing you with your test results and relevant information in each section, your results can form the beginning of a journey, enabling you to make positive changes to your daily diet and environment.

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