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Gluten Intolerance VS Celiac Disease: Know 7 Differences In Symptoms, Treatment And More!
Are you experiencing digestive discomfort, fatigue, or unexplained symptoms after consuming wheat, barley, or rye? If so, it’s possible that you have gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Gluten intolerance vs celiac disease mainly differ in their underlying causes, the severity of symptoms, and the potential long-term health consequences. Celiac disease is an alarming autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten, damaging the small intestine and requires a lifelong gluten-free diet. On the other hand, gluten intolerance is a sensitivity to gluten without autoimmune damage, which may improve with reduced gluten intake.
While these two conditions share some similarities, they are distinct health issues with different implications. So, to understand gluten intolerance vs celiac disease, this blog explores their scientific meaning, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term effects for proper management, as well as preventing complications.
Table Of Contents
1. What Is Gluten Intolerance?
2. What Is Celiac Disease?
3. 7 Gluten Intolerance VS Celiac Disease Differences
4. Causes Of Gluten Intolerance VS Celiac Disease
5. Dietitian’s Recommendation
6. The Final Say
7. FAQs
8. References
What Is Gluten Intolerance?
This non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a condition where people experience gluten ingestion without having celiac disease or a wheat allergy. Unlike celiac disease, gluten intolerance does not involve an autoimmune response or cause damage to the small intestine. The severity of intolerance symptoms varies and can be less severe than celiac disease. Diagnosis is challenging, as there are no specific biomarkers; it is often made by excluding celiac disease and wheat allergy.
Also Read: 10 Foods To Avoid With Gluten Intolerance | ToneOpCare
What Is Celiac Disease?
It is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten consumption, causing damage in the small intestine. When people with celiac disease have gluten, their immune system eventually attacks the small intestine, causing inflammation and damage to the intestine villi, which are tiny fingerlike projections lining the intestine that absorb nutrients. Symptoms can be severe and can be diagnosed with specific blood tests and confirmation through an intestinal biopsy.
Also Read: Top 10 Foods That Boost The Immune System | ToneOpCare
7 Gluten Intolerance VS Celiac Disease Differences
Consider these major differences between gluten intolerance and celiac disease, from noticeable symptoms to treatment:
1. Meaning Of Gluten Intolerance vs. Celiac Disease
Gluten intolerance refers to a medical condition where individuals have adverse reactions to gluten, a protein type found in raw wheat, barley, and rye, but do not have the autoimmune markers of celiac disease. Symptoms may improve when gluten is removed from the diet.
Celiac disease is recognised as a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten foods triggers an immune response that damages the inner lining of the small intestine. This damage impairs every nutrient absorption and causes various health issues. A strict, lifelong gluten-free diet is essential for managing the condition and preventing complications.
2. Symptoms Of Gluten Intolerance vs. Celiac Disease
Gluten intolerance symptoms may include bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, headache, fatigue, joint pain, and brain fog. These symptoms typically appear hours to days after consuming gluten and can vary in intensity.
Celiac disease symptoms are more systemic and severe, including chronic diarrhoea or constipation, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, bloating, anaemia, osteoporosis, skin rashes (dermatitis herpetiformis), and neurological issues. Symptoms can affect multiple body systems and are often more debilitating than those of gluten intolerance.
3. Gluten Intolerance vs. Celiac Disease: Pathophysiology
There is no known immune system involvement in gluten intolerance. Symptoms arise due to sensitivity or intolerance to gluten but without causing intestinal damage. The exact gluten sensitivity mechanism needs to be better understood.
In Celiac disease, the immune system eventually attacks the small intestine in response to gluten, damaging the intestinal villi. This autoimmune response results in inflammation and impaired nutrient absorption, causing various gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms.
Also Read: 7 Common Gut Problems And How To Fix Them For Optimal Health
4. Diagnosis Of Gluten Intolerance vs. Celiac Disease
Diagnosing gluten intolerance involves ruling out celiac disease and wheat sensitivity, as there are no specific tests for gluten intolerance. This process often includes an elimination diet followed by a gluten challenge to observe symptom recurrence.
Celiac disease is diagnosed through recommended blood tests that detect specific antibodies (e.g., tTG-IgA) and confirmed by an endoscopic biopsy of the small intestine to check for villous atrophy. Genetic testing for HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 alleles can support the diagnosis but is not definitive on its own.
5. Treatment Of Gluten Intolerance vs. Celiac Disease
For gluten intolerance, a gluten-free diet is recommended to manage symptoms, though the strictness of the diet can vary depending on individual tolerance levels. Lifestyle changes may also help alleviate symptoms.
Celiac disease requires a dietitian to recommend a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet to prevent symptoms and intestinal damage. Even small amounts of gluten intake can cause significant harm. Regular monitoring by a medical expert is necessary to ensure proper nutrient levels and manage any complications.
6. Long-Term Implications Of Sensitivities
Gluten Intolerance generally does not cause long-term complications if the condition is managed properly through dietary adjustments. However, when symptoms are controlled, quality of life can improve significantly.
Celiac disease, if untreated, can lead to severe complications such as malnutrition, osteoporosis, infertility, neurological conditions, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Adhering to a gluten-free diet usually leads to recovery of the intestinal lining and reduces the risk of long-term health issues.
7. Dietary Requirements Of Gluten Intolerance vs. Celiac
For Gluten intolerance, a gluten-free diet is advised to manage symptoms, but trace amounts of gluten may not cause significant concerns for some people, allowing for some dietary flexibility.
Celiac disease requires a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet, as even small portions of gluten can cause intestinal damage and trigger symptoms. Avoiding cross-contamination is crucial to prevent exposure to gluten.
Also Read: Are Digestive Enzyme Supplements Safer Option? Check Out These 5 Benefits!
Causes Of Gluten Intolerance VS Celiac Disease
Note these major causes of gluten intolerance and celiac disease for better prevention:
1. Causes Of Gluten Intolerance
Cause | Impact |
Gut Microbiome Imbalance | Disruption of gut bacteria can hinder gluten processing, leading to symptoms like troublesome abdominal pain and diarrhoea. |
Immune System Response | While not autoimmune like celiac disease, an abnormal immune reaction to gluten can cause discomfort, such as heartburn and stomach pain. |
Non-Gluten Components in Wheat | Substances in wheat beyond gluten, like glycans, might trigger symptoms in some individuals. |
Genetic Predisposition | Family history suggests a potential genetic link to gluten intolerance, though specific markers are still under investigation. |
Also Read: Probiotic And Prebiotic Foods To Eat For Good Digestion
2. Causes Of Celiac Disease
Cause | Impact |
Genetic Factors | Celiac disease is strongly linked to the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes. These genes influence the immune system's recognition of gluten, increasing the risk of developing the condition. |
Autoimmune Response | When people with celiac disease consume gluten, their immune system eventually attacks the lining of the small intestine. This autoimmune reaction damages the intestinal villi, producing anti-transglutaminase (tTG) and anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA). |
Environmental Triggers | Factors such as infections (like adenovirus or rotavirus) and alterations in the gut microbiome can contribute to the onset of celiac disease in genetically susceptible individuals. |
Early Gluten Exposure | The timing and quantity of gluten introduced into a baby's diet might influence the risk of developing celiac disease. Therefore, delaying gluten intake could reduce the risk in susceptible children. |
Dietitian’s Recommendation
Gluten can be hidden in foods, sauces, spices, and seasonings. It's important to read the label carefully and pay attention to terms such as "modified starch" and "hydrolysed vegetable protein," which indicate the presence of gluten.
I recommend you consume fruits and fresh vegetables, poultry and various fish (gluten-free bread or marinades), dairy products, gluten-free grains (rice, quinoa, corn, buckwheat, amaranth, millet), beans and nuts to stay away from sensitivity.
Dt. Akshata Gandevikar
The Final Say
Therefore, understanding gluten intolerance vs celiac disease is important for accurate diagnosis, treatment, and management. Although both require a gluten-free diet, their underlying mechanisms, diagnostic criteria, and long-term effects differ. So, raise awareness to improve the quality of life for people affected with gluten sensitivities and give them the knowledge they need to thrive in a gluten-free lifestyle.
FAQs
1. What are celiac and non-celiac gluten sensitivity?
Gluten ingestion is the cause of the autoimmune condition known as celiac disease, which damages the small intestine. People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity have symptoms after consuming gluten, but they do not have the intestinal damage or immunological reaction that characterises celiac disease.
2. Can gluten intolerance become celiac disease?
No, celiac disease does not develop from gluten intolerance. They have separate causes, criteria for diagnosis, and lasting effects as they are unique conditions.
3. Is there a cure for gluten intolerance or celiac disease?
Not really! There is no remedy for either condition. The main way to treat both conditions is a gluten-free diet for life, which helps control symptoms and avoid further issues.
4. Can people with gluten intolerance tolerate small amounts of gluten?
No, not everyone can tolerate the discomfort! Some people with gluten sensitivity may handle small quantities of gluten without experiencing serious symptoms. However, people suffering from celiac disease need to completely abstain from gluten to avoid intestinal damage and long-term complications.
5. What are the long-term complications of untreated celiac disease?
After the disease is recognised, if left untreated, celiac disease can result in malnutrition, osteoporosis, infertility, neurological issues, and a higher chance of developing specific types of cancer as a result of continuous harm to the small intestine and difficulty in absorbing essential nutrients.
References
- https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/celiac-disease-vs-gluten-intolerance-infographic#:~:text=%E2%80%9CCeliac%20disease%20is%20an%20autoimmune,health%20like%20celiac%20disease%20can.%E2%80%9D
- https://cdhf.ca/en/celiac-disease-vs-gluten-sensitivities/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352220
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312898
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