Content Warning: disordered eating, mental health

In high school, I had a friend who struggled with issues around food. She was a volleyball player and a track star. She was incredibly physically fit, but she was also “solidly built,” as my grandmother would say. Embarrassed, she would engage in cycles of starvation and binge eating. At the same time, she also began to feel horrible when she ate, in immense physical discomfort. Because of her issues around body image and food, however, parents, doctors, and friends dismissed these complaints as psychosomatic. She felt physically unwell because she didn’t want to eat, right? 

One day she came to my house looking better than she ever had. “I can finally eat again,” she said. Due to her disordered eating, her parents had sent her to a dietician–the dietician had heard her story and said, “I think you might be gluten intolerant.” 

What Is Gluten Intolerance?

Gluten-free foods became a trendy diet staple a few years ago, which has led to horrible stories of people’s gluten sensitivity not being taken seriously. Sometimes people will assume you’re eating gluten-free as part of a trend, or because you want to diet–and that can sometimes result in people not taking the care they should.

Celiac Disease

The Mayo Clinic explains celiac disease as “ an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. . .this reaction damages your small intestine’s lining and prevents it from absorbing some nutrients (malabsorption).” (1)

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity

The European Society for the Study of Celiac Disease released a detailed guide to gluten issues. In it, they address gluten intolerance, or gluten sensitivity, which is when a patient has very similar physical responses to gluten as in someone with celiac, but tests negative for celiac and wheat allergies. ”Besides gluten,” the guide says “other potential culprits of this syndrome are ATIs and fructans (rich in FODMAPs), which are all components of wheat and other gluten-containing cereals.” (2)

Signs Of Potential Gluten Intolerance

Whether it’s celiac, a wheat allergy, or sensitivity, there are common symptoms you should be on the lookout for to see if it’s time to drop gluten. 

1. Bloating

If you feel bloated or gassy, it could be gluten. Abdominal issues are a common symptom of gluten sensitivity. (1)

1. Numbness And Tingling

If you notice your extremities are often numbing quickly or tingling, that could be a sign of gluten intolerance (1)

1. Skin Rash

Be on the lookout for dermatitis herpetiformis, an itchy rash that looks like blistering skin. (1)

1. Osteoporosis

People with gluten sensitivity are more likely to also develop osteoporosis. If you struggle with osteoporosis without a family history, consider checking the gluten. (2)

1. Joint Pain

If you’re not putting a ton of stress on your body but your joints still hurt, it could be because of wheat. (3)

1. Confusion

Described as a “brain fog,” this is common in gluten-intolerant people. (3)

1. Unusual Bowel Activity

It might be constant constipation or frequent diarrhea, but unusual bowel movements are common. (3)

1. Headaches and Fatigue

Sleep problems are often linked to health issues, and gluten intolerance is one of those health issues. (1)