Gluten and Prediabetes

Gluten Intolerance or Sensitivity and Prediabetes

If you are diagnosed with prediabetes you may want to find out if are gluten intolerant. Also known as Celiac disease. People with diabetes tend to be at a higher risk of being gluten intolerant. Celiac disease attacks the small intestine and effects the ability to digest and absorb nutrients.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It is present in many of the foods we eat. If you are gluten intolerant the symptoms can range from weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and malnutrition to having no symptoms at but still having inflammation in your intestines, compromising your ability to absorb nutrients properly.

This can effect your blood glucose levels. The small intestine becomes inflamed and gets damaged. Many people take years to get diagnosed properly because the symptoms are often mistaken for other ailments and conditions like irritable bowel, arthritis, fatigue, headaches, and other autoimmune diseases.

The small intestine inflammation makes the intestine become porous, called leaky gut syndrome, releasing gluten proteins that are toxic into the blood stream.  If you are gluten intolerant the carbohydrates in grain cannot be properly converted into energy and stays in the blood resulting in higher blood sugar and can result in further cell damage.

People with celiac disease also suffer from being able to absorb calcium and magnesium along with other nutrients having a detrimental effect on the bones and teeth. People suffer enamel loss, pointy teeth, and yellowing. The loss of enamel on the teeth almost always indicates a problem with how carbohydrates are being used in the body.

Carbohydrates are tied closely with how glucose is produced and of course is a concern if you are diagnosed with prediabetes. For more on carbohydrates please see my article here. This out of balance body chemistry can have a big effect on overall health.

Celiac disease can be diagnosed with a blood test. There are also people who test negative for celiac disease but are still found to be gluten sensitive and benefit from a gluten free diet, so if you are experiencing odd symptoms you may want to look at the list below.

Here is an extensive list of symptoms and conditions that can happen from celiac disease. This list is from the Celiac Disease Foundation which is a great resource for further information on celiac disease.

CLASSIC SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE

• Abdominal cramping, intestinal gas
• Distention and bloating of the stomach
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both)
• Steatorrhea – fatty stools
• Anemia – unexplained, due to folic acid, B12 or iron deficiency (or all)
• Unexplained weight loss with large appetite or weight gain

OTHER SYMPTOMS

• Dental enamel defects
• Osteopenia, osteoporosis
• Bone or joint pain
• Fatigue, weakness and lack of energy
• Infertility – male/female
• Depression
• Mouth ulcers
• Delayed puberty
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
• Migraine headaches

SOME LONG-TERM CONDITIONS THAT CAN RESULT FROM UNTREATED CD

• Iron deficiency anemia
• Early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia
• Vitamin K deficiency associated with risk for hemorrhaging
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Central and peripheral nervous system disorders – usually due to unsuspected nutrient deficiencies
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Intestinal lymphomas and other GI cancers (malignancies)
• Gall bladder malfunction
• Neurological manifestations

If you find that you need to be on a gluten free diet there are some great resources for information below. Please read some of the reviews before you consider buying anything.

Gluten-free, Sugar-free Cooking: Over 200 Delicious Recipes to Help You Live a Healthier, Allergy-Free Life Over 40 Reviews.
The Primal Blueprint Cookbook: Primal, Low Carb, Paleo, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free (Primal Blueprint Series) Over 189 reviews.
Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health Over 344 reviews.

Additional Resources

Healthy Eating Politics-Celiac Disease

Gluten-Sensitivity and Celiac Disease Becoming More Wide-Spread!

Gluten Intolerance Report: If you have Diabetes, Read This!