We Turn to the Internet for Health-Related Questions

The Pew Internet Project reported today that the Internet has not only become a resource for Americans seeking answers to health-related questions but in fact, 80% of U.S. Internet consumers research health information online, making it the third most popular online activity -the following email and using a search engine.

In the spirit of that strong interest, I wanted to affirm that I am committed to being an accurate resource for those searching for answers in the area of gluten intolerance – including both celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.

The New Year Brings New Research Supporting Gluten Sensitivity

Gluten sensitivity is “all the talk” of the research community. Once thought to be potentially psychosomatic, gluten sensitivity is now understood to be a very real condition. I have been promising that 2011 will be a big year for gluten sensitivity research and sure enough January started off with a bang.

The American Journal of Gastroenterology published a paper entitled “Gluten Causes Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Subjects Without Celiac Disease”. The study involved patients with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) who did not have celiac disease. In a double-blind placebo study, those patients who were fed gluten felt significantly worse than their placebo counterparts.

A weakness of the study, in my opinion, was that the symptoms monitored included only IBS-related symptoms: [abdominal] pain, bloating, satisfaction with stool consistency (IBS patients suffer severe diarrhea), and tiredness.

As you know, gluten intolerance (celiac and gluten sensitivity) is associated with a far broader range of symptoms than merely digestive. So while the study showed that 68% of those consuming gluten reported problems with the above symptoms, I wonder how much greater that percentage would have been had the symptom list been more inclusive. Specifically, there were no neurological symptoms listed such as depression, anxiety, headaches, dizziness, etc.

The Proof is Clear – You Don’t Have to Have Celiac to Avoid Gluten

I also would have preferred that they used more sensitive lab tests to objectively “show” the changes that were occurring in those who worsened with gluten ingestion, but I think it’s more important to focus on the good news – this study showed that gluten sensitivity indeed exists – non-celiacs absolutely reacted negatively to gluten ingestion. And what’s most exciting is that the study was designed exclusively to evaluate those with gluten sensitivity, excluding celiac disease.

While it may currently be novel to research gluten sensitivity (non-celiacs), I believe that will be changing dramatically within the next several years, much to the benefit of all those currently suffering from a gluten intolerance they’re unaware they possess.

Have you told anyone about the problems associated with gluten, or the difference between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity? Did they ask you any questions you were unable to answer? I am happy to help; just let me know what you need!