Gluten Intolerance vs. Celiac Disease
Gluten intolerance can be interchangeably called gluten sensitivity, non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), non-celiac wheat sensitivity, or even gluten allergy. There are different thoughts on gluten intolerance, and it is not completely understood. Some physicians don’t believe it even exists, while others believe it gives a different type of immune response. Unlike in celiac disease, it is believed that the immune response in gluten intolerance actually occurs when the body sees the gluten protein as the invader. Although inflammation still occurs, it is directed toward the gluten instead of toward the body. It is not known whether damage still occurs to the small intestine. It is believed you still get symptoms because of the inflammation and acute response but that these resolve when gluten is taken out of the equation. A lot more research needs to take place on gluten intolerance. Hopefully, the near future will bring a better understanding of what is taking place.
The document below is a table that breaks down some of the differences between gluten intolerance and celiac disease.
| differences_between_celiac_disease_and_gluten_intolerance.pdf |
Sources:
1. Anderson, J. (2017, May 18). Gluten Sensitivity vs Celiac Disease: What's the difference between the two conditions? Retrieved from https://www.verywell.com/gluten-sensitivity-vs-celiac-disease-562964
2. Kresser, C. (2013, April 3). 50 Shades of Gluten (Intolerance). Retrieved from The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kresser/gluten-intolerance_b_2964812.html
1. Anderson, J. (2017, May 18). Gluten Sensitivity vs Celiac Disease: What's the difference between the two conditions? Retrieved from https://www.verywell.com/gluten-sensitivity-vs-celiac-disease-562964
2. Kresser, C. (2013, April 3). 50 Shades of Gluten (Intolerance). Retrieved from The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kresser/gluten-intolerance_b_2964812.html