Non-celiac gluten sensitivity

Many people who have celiac-like symptoms repeatedly test negative for celiac disease yet respond well to a gluten-free diet. Specialists now recognize that these people—between 1% and 3% of the population—may have non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Symptoms of gluten sensitivity include:f0a9ee81-cc66-4a1b-951a-d626aea606a816207266896927

  • gas
  • bloating
  • abdominal cramps
  • diarrhea
  • fatigue
  • balance problems

Gluten sensitivity is a baffling condition because it has been difficult to understand how gluten could trigger such a host of seemingly unrelated symptoms. One theory is that gluten sensitivity is part of the "undersea" portion of the "celiac iceberg."

Researchers in Italy and the United States have reported evidence for one possible mechanism to account for gluten sensitivity. It appears that individuals with many of the symptoms of celiac disease but no signs of intestinal damage produce an abnormally high number of proteins that play a role in activating inflammation — the immune system's first line of defense — and an abnormally low number of suppressor T cells, which dampen inflammation once the "threat" is removed. The inflammatory response, like that brought against the flu virus, can cause fatigue and dizziness. However, because the intestinal villi are not damaged, nutrient absorption isn't affected.

The new evidence has established gluten sensitivity as a real condition apart from celiac disease, but it hasn't yet yielded a diagnostic test or new treatment for gluten sensitivity.

Diagnosing gluten sensitivity

That means gluten sensitivity is a diagnosis of elimination. Individuals in whom celiac disease has been ruled out are asked to eradicate all gluten from their diet. If their symptoms improve, they are deemed gluten sensitive.

Treating gluten sensitivity

The symptoms of gluten sensitivity can be minimized, or even completely prevented, by not eating any gluten-containing foods. Unlike people with celiac disease, those with gluten sensitivity aren't risking intestinal injury, defective nutrient absorption, and serious complications by eating a little gluten.

That means people with gluten sensitivity have a little more latitude to experiment than do people with celiac disease. You may want to test whether you can eat foods like soy sauce that have minimal gluten concentrations, or enjoy a bite of cake now and then without repercussions.

Disclaimer:

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up
Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.

The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss...from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.

BONUS! Sign up now and
get a FREE copy of the
Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.