How do I know if I have a wheat intolerance?

A sensitivity or allergy to wheat can produce a variety of symptoms in the body such as sneezing itching, rashes, watery eyes, runny nose, coughing, hay fever, headaches, nausea, digestive problems, swollen limbs or general aches and pains. When someone is allergic to a certain food, their immune system reacts as if the food were an invader and produces antibodies leading to a basic inflamatory response. Food allergies are said to affect 1.5 per cent of the population. Wheat allergies affect less than one per cent. Three examples of these are wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis, wheat dependant urticaria and Baker's asthma

Symptoms

Food allergies are often difficult to identify because reactions can be delayed from anything from two hours to many days after taking the offending foods. Common chronic illnesses and conditions such as asthma, eczema, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome and arthritis are often associated with wheat allergies. Unlike classic allergies, if you are allergic to wheat you will usually be allergic to more than one food. On average, sufferers react to four or five different foods. For conditions like wheat dependant exercise-induced anaphylaxis, increased physical activity (asprin can have the same effect) increases the flow of gliadins into the blood streem causing an allergic reaction.

Diagnosis

Traditional diagnosis for a wheat allergy would be a skin-prick testing available at a NHS allergy clinic. This involves the allergen (wheat) being placed on the skin after it has been pricked. If the skin flares up 15 minutes later you have a wheat allergy. A second method of diagnosis is a RAST blood test, which involves taking a blood sample and testing for the wheat allergen. Often an elimination diet will be reccommended. A wheat intolerance doesn’t necessarily involve an immune system response to wheat (so may be over looked by the first two medical tests). It is believed that people suffering symptoms such as fatigue, bloating, gas, headaches & joint pains, may lack the necessary enzymes to break wheat down successfully. One medically recognised test is a called a food challenge, carried out in a hospital. The patient is blindfolded and tested for wheat under controlled conditions. The patient is then monitored over three days to see if they develop any symptoms. Often an elimination diet will be recommended with a suggestion that the wheat be reintroduced in 6 weeks to 3 months and effects monitored. Alternative practitioners offer a range of other tests that can be just as accurate.

A dietix electral dermal screening machine can detect if you have a gluten or wheat intolerance, as used by Well Necessities. For more information see the Food Intolerance Testing Page.

Treatment

As both a wheat allergy and wheat intolerance are immune system reactions it is possible to “out grow” the reaction once the body has been supported in a recovery programme and the immune system rebalanced. Unfortunately those suffering from food allergies and intolerances can struggle to assimilate all the necessary nutrients for a healthy immune system. A traditional elimination diet is the best start to give the body a chance to recover and rebuild. This varies from person to person but should be followed for a minimum of 3 months for good results. Some people will have to eliminate for longer and some indefinately. With Well Necessities, I ensure that you are well supported during this period and gain knowledge about the many alternatives available.

Supplements can also be used to support the healing process. B6 is essential for the correct assimilation of food along with other B Vitamins and will also help halt a spiraling picture of increased allergy/intolerance to foods. Current reasearch indicates that Beta Glucans can help rebalance the inate immune system helping to elivate allergies. Other key nutrients in rebuiding the immune system would be cartenoids and flavanoids, Vitamin C, Zinc and Selenium. It is not also believed that Vitamin D plays a role in immumity. Inner Leaf Aloe Vera and Probiotics could help elevitate IBS type symptoms in the bowel, increasing bowel health and strength and avaoiding yeast over growth.

Some people with Candida will develop a sensitivity to yeast and suffer a reaction when they eat sugar. Some of these people could think they were intolerant to wheat as they suffer effects when eating bread (as these are two components of bread) and their main intolerance can go undiagnosed. Wheat makes the body produce more mucus and this also provides a good breeding ground for bowel bacteria such as Candida. Gliadins also have a scratching effect on the walls of the bowel causing irritation in sensitive people which can also mimic signs of an intolerance or allergy (IBS type symptoms).

Why is Wheat in so many foods?

Click here to find out about the origions of wheat and how is has become such a popular grain in the western world.

What can I eat instead of Wheat?

Click here to get information on alternative grains to wheat in your diet.

What is the difference between a Wheat and a Gluten Intolerance?

Click here to find out or here to find out more about Coeliac Disease.