Are you one of the millions of people who love bagels for breakfast or bread for dinner? Let’s face it, bread is one of the staples in the food chain that has sustained the hungry for centuries.

Why then is there so much talk about the adverse effects of gluten consumption? Bread is supposed to be good for you, right? This may be true for most people, but not for others who experience symptoms like bloating and diarrhea. Some of my patients even complain of fatigue, weight loss, and perhaps muscle and joint pain. When I dig deeper into your eating habits to determine the cause of your problem, nine times out of ten I find that your symptoms are related to gluten sensitivity.

What is gluten sensitivity and how do you know if you have it? If you ask yourself this question, you are not alone. Let me explain.

“Gluten” is a family of proteins found in wheat along with oats, rye, and barley. Gluten sensitivity is caused by an immune reaction to gluten. A simple blood test can determine if you have specific antibodies against gluten. An inherited form of gluten sensitivity is called celiac disease and may affect up to 1 in 133 people. Celiac disease is often diagnosed by a biopsy of the small intestine, which can reveal physical damage. Other forms of gluten sensitivity or allergy can develop as people age.

What happens if you keep eating gluten?

Some of the symptoms of gluten sensitivity are felt in the digestive tract. Others are more general. The body releases chemicals during many immune responses that can cause vague symptoms of joint pain, fatigue, and muscle pain.

If the gluten-sensitive person continues to eat gluten-containing foods, the body will continue to produce antibodies against gluten. This immune reaction causes physical damage to the lining of the small intestine and makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients. This leads to diarrhea and weight loss. If left unchecked, the damage can become life-threatening. Fortunately, the small intestine has the ability to regenerate healthy cells and will recover over time if gluten is removed from the diet.

What if you are sensitive to gluten?

Here are some things you can do if you suspect you might have some of the symptoms described above:

• Consult your doctor and request a blood test to determine if you are sensitive to gluten.

• Look for foods made with oats, quinoa, rice, corn, millet, and amaranth.

• Prepared foods, such as frozen macaroni and cheese, will indicate the gluten content on the package.

• Website for local gluten-free recipes, products, and support groups are available online.

• Ask your market to offer walkthroughs that highlight gluten-free items on the shelves.

• Ask your local market to expand gluten-free options.

• Restaurants and cruise ships often have gluten-free options for pizza, pasta, and bread.

• With gluten sensitivity becoming more widely known, it is possible that if you order gluten-free food when you dine out, other members of your group will order it as well.

• If temptation is a problem, have the baskets of cookies and bread removed after the other guests have served themselves.

Keep your digestive tract healthy!

Once you eliminate gluten and your digestive tract is healing, there are ways to keep it running smoothly. Eat a variety of healthy fruits and vegetables. In the evening, drink a glass of water with a tablespoon of psyllium husks mixed in. This adds fiber and helps remove unwanted material from the body. Yogurt can help restore the balance of intestinal bacteria, which is important for digesting food.

The damage caused by gluten sensitivity can interfere with the body’s ability to process food. Your digestive system may need help getting back to health. Here are some natural ways to help with healing.

• Take a multivitamin, because a damaged intestine absorbs less nutrients from food.

• L-glutamine is helpful in healing the lining of the small intestine.

• A probiotic supplement can help restore good bacteria in the gut.

• Digestive enzymes can help your system digest food while restoring the balance of natural enzymes.

• Fiber, such as psyllium and flax, can help the intestines work efficiently.

If you’ve been suffering for months or years with gluten sensitivity, be patient. Give your body time to heal once you eliminate gluten from your diet. Avoid the bakery counter and instead eat healthy, gluten-free foods. A gluten-free eating plan can get you on a delicious diet that’s better for your overall health!

Mark Rosenberg, MD

Institute for Healthy Aging