 |
There are several conditions that fall into the "gluten-sensitivity spectrum."
At one end, we have wheat allergies. These are simple "IgE-mediated" allergies - easy to test for, and definitively diagnosed.
Then we have what people call "gluten sensitivity" or "gluten intolerance." Some of these people may actually have celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis, but because their testing methods weren't specific for celiac disease - or because their health care practitioner didn't know to look for celiac disease - they were told they have a gluten sensitivity or intolerance. Some people who fall into this category do not test positive for celiac disease - but are considered "sub-clinical," meaning it's likely that they would test positive in the future, if they were to continue to eat gluten. Others may simply be
sensitive to gluten, in which case they need to avoid it, too.
At the other end of the spectrum is celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis DH. (Because it's cumbersome to refer to both conditions, we'll refer here to celiac disease only - for more information on DH, see Celiac disease/dermatitis herpetiformis.) Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune condition. Because it is genetic, it's important for family members to be tested, too - even in the absence of symptoms. People with celiac disease must strictly comply with the gluten-free diet - when they do, health and vitality is fully restored!
For more information on the entire gluten-sensitivity spectrum, as well as detailed explanations of allergies, intolerances, sensitivities, and disease, see Wheat-Free, Worry-Free: The Art of Happy, Healthy, Gluten-Free Living by Danna Korn.
|
|
The Gluten Sensitivity Spectrum
