🍽️ gliadin, glutenin etc {Gluten}

Celiac Disease: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by an abnormal immune response to gluten ingestion, leading to damage to the small intestine. In individuals with celiac disease, gluten triggers an immune reaction that damages the lining of the small intestine, resulting in symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and nutrient malabsorption. The only effective treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet.

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS): Some individuals may experience gastrointestinal symptoms similar to those of celiac disease when consuming gluten-containing foods, despite testing negative for celiac disease and wheat allergy. This condition is known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Symptoms of NCGS may include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, and headaches. While the exact mechanisms underlying NCGS are not fully understood, eliminating gluten from the diet may help alleviate symptoms in affected individuals.

Wheat Allergy: Wheat allergy is an immune-mediated reaction to proteins found in wheat, including gluten. Symptoms of wheat allergy may include hives, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Unlike celiac disease and NCGS, which involve different immune mechanisms, wheat allergy is mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. Individuals with wheat allergy must avoid all wheat-containing foods, including those containing gluten.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis: Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic skin condition characterized by itchy, blistering skin lesions. It is considered a cutaneous manifestation of celiac disease, as both conditions are associated with gluten intolerance. Dermatitis herpetiformis is treated with a gluten-free diet, similar to celiac disease.

Autoimmune Disorders: Some evidence suggests that gluten consumption may contribute to the development or exacerbation of certain autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. While the mechanisms are not fully understood, gluten elimination diets are sometimes explored as part of complementary or alternative treatments for these conditions.

Neurological Disorders: Gluten sensitivity has been implicated in the development of certain neurological disorders, including gluten ataxia and peripheral neuropathy. These conditions involve damage to the nervous system and may cause symptoms such as coordination difficulties, tremors, and numbness or tingling in the extremities. Adhering to a gluten-free diet may help alleviate symptoms in affected individuals.

Digestive Disorders: In addition to celiac disease and NCGS, gluten consumption may exacerbate symptoms in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other functional gastrointestinal disorders. Some people with IBS report symptom improvement when following a gluten-free diet, although the evidence is mixed, and gluten may not be the primary trigger for all individuals with IBS.