Gluten Intolerance is not a disease but rather a genetic disorder which is characterised by abnormal inflammation after coming into contact with gluten (from wheat, barley, rye of malt).
Gluten Intolerance Symptoms
Gluten intolerance can have a range of symptoms from “minimal muscle and joint pain, mouth and eye dryness down to full blown celiac disease and correspondent anaemia, malabsorption syndrome, chronic diarrhoea and weight loss. Gluten intolerance is commonly associated with various rheumatologic and autoimmune diseases, including osteoporosis, pseudo-gout, Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus and multiple sclerosis.” Source: Institute for Specalised Medicine
What is the difference between Celiac Disease and Gluten intolerance?
While gluten intolerance can have similar symptoms to coeliac disease as far as malabsortion of nutrients and inflammation of the gut, people can also have flu or food poisoning like symptoms when they ingest gluten.
There are varying degrees of gluten intolerant, some people can choose to have a low gluten diet (free of breads and pastas) with little to no effect on their body.
People like myself on the other hand need to be strict – If I have the a spoonful of soy sauce(contains gluten) or a Wheat based stock in my soup I feel it in my brain, stomach and moods for the next few days.