Are you on a gluten-free diet because you think that protein is causing your gastro-intestinal disorders?

If you have switched to a gluten-free diet without consulting your doctor, you might be doing more harm to your health than good. Read on to know more details.

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What’s The Study?

The latest study indicates that many individuals who are on a gluten-free diet are not appropriately examined for celiac disease.

The researchers at the Eastern Health Clinical School at Monash University and Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia performed a study on 144 members who said that they were suffering from NCGS or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

It was found that forty-four percent of the members started on a gluten-free diet without consulting a doctor while sixty-nine percent of the members were not diagnosed properly for celiac disease. Researchers indicate the importance of getting diagnosed for a celiac disease or gluten sensitivity before eliminating protein from a diet. As later it can become difficult to point out if protein was the culprit once it is removed from the body.

A shocking revelation of the study was that seventy-two members were found to not have celiac gluten sensitivity. On the other hand, sixty-two percent of the members were found to meet the conditions for NCGS. Also, twenty-four percent were dealing with gastrointestinal disorder in spite of being on a gluten-free diet. It is important that you know that both celiac disease (also known as wheat allergy) and irritable bowel syndrome can cause related symptoms.

The Conclusion

It is highly risky to believe that you are suffering from a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease without actually being diagnosed by a specialist. If you think you have symptoms caused by such diseases, consult a doctor for an examination in order to avoid any complications in the future.

What are the symptoms that you should consider important enough to consult a specialist? The director of the Mount Sinai Gastrointestinal Motility Center at The Mount Sinai Hospital, Dr. Gina Sam pointed a few of the important symptoms that are significant indicators to book an appointment with a specialist:

  • When not treated early, celiac disease can damage a few portions of the intestine where nutrients are absorbed. This may lead to a deficiency in essential nutrients such as folate, vitamin B12 and iron. If you are found deficient in any of these nutrients you need to consult a doctor for further analysis.
  • If you are suffering from chronic gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, distension, bloating, recurring diarrhea, and weight loss.
  • If celiac disease runs in your family you can be at a higher risk of getting infected with the disease. Even if you are asymptomatic, it is essential to get yourself tested for celiac disease in order to be on the safe side.

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