You may think that a wheat and gluten intolerance refer to the same thing as many people use the terms interchangeably. In reality, there is a difference between the two as they refer to different ingredients.
While wheat is a grain, gluten is the sticky protein that binds the dough. Gluten is found in wheat and other grains such as barley, rye, malt, and oats. In breads and baked goods, therefore, they come as a package. This being the case, is it possible to have an allergy or intolerance to one and not the other?
If you are allergic to gluten, then you will need to refrain from wheat products since they contain gluten. However, if you are allergic only to wheat, you can still enjoy other grains that have gluten in them.
Signs and symptoms of an intolerance include digestive disturbances such as vomiting, diarrhea, gas, constipation and bloating. In some cases, it is not just an intolerance that you have to contend with. More severe will be allergic reactions such as eczema, headaches, fatigue, chest pains or anaphylaxis. Allergy symptoms will usually come on very quickly after ingestion of even a small amount of wheat or gluten. The symptoms of intolerance may not show up at all, or be delayed.
Some people with intolerances can have small amounts of wheat or gluten with no problem, only having issues when they eat large amounts of the problem ingredient. Gluten intolerance or allergy has also been tied to autism and other behavioral disorders.
Research is currently being conducted, but placing autistic children on a gluten-free diet has shown positive results. Along with autism, gluten allergies seem to cause other symptoms that wheat allergies don't. They include osteoporosis, weight gain or loss, slow growth in infants and children, and depression.
If you suspect you have a wheat or gluten allergy or intolerance, get a proper diagnosis so that you can pin point the condition that you are suffering from. You can drastically reduce your discomfort by paying attention to what you eat and avoiding your food triggers.
Published by Evelyn Lim on March 1, 2008 08:32 AM
