What Is Gluten Intolerance?

Here at Dr. Weight Loss of Atlanta, we specialize in crafting customized diet and weight loss plans for our patients. We do this because everybody is different, which means that a one size fits all plan just doesn’t cut it. One way that you could differ from someone else is in the food that you can eat. There are many conditions, like allergies, that could affect your weight loss and diet plans.

One such condition that’s received some attention over the last few years is gluten intolerance. Some think that gluten-free diets are just a fad, but there are many people that really can’t handle gluten. We take that into account when we build you a customized diet plan. Let’s take a closer look at gluten intolerance and how it could affect your lifestyle and weight loss plans.

Signs of Gluten Intolerance

Abdominal Pain

This is a common symptom that can indicate a variety of digestive problems, so it’s no surprise that it can also be a sign of gluten intolerance. If you’re experiencing more abdominal pain lately, take note of what you’re eating to see what is triggering the pain. It could make it easier to see if gluten intolerance could be the issue.

Joint and Muscle Aches

A gluten intolerance could also cause joint and muscle pain. Exposure to gluten could cause inflammation, causing pain in multiple areas of the body. You could also experience headaches. If these issues are becoming more common, especially after a meal, you might have a gluten intolerance.

Bloating

If you experience bloating, which is when your stomach feels swollen and full of gas, after a meal, that could be a sign of gluten intolerance. While this symptom alone won’t necessarily indicate a problem with gluten, it’s certainly something to watch out for.

Lethargy

If you constantly feel tired, that could actually be a sign of gluten intolerance. If you have this sensitivity, you can feel especially lethargic after eating foods that contain gluten. Fatigue is a common problem for people with a gluten sensitivity, so if you’re tired don’t just chalk it up to a rough week. Ask your doctor about gluten sensitivity.

Skin Problems

Gluten intolerance is such a complex condition that it can even affect your skin. You could develop a skin problem known as dermatitis herpetiformis, which is how this food sensitivity shows itself on the outside. If you are sensitive to gluten, cutting it out of your diet won’t just help alleviate this problem. It could also help you fight back against conditions like psoriasis.

What You Can Do

When it’s confirmed that you have a gluten intolerance, you’ll need to change up your diet. Some common problem foods include bread, pizza, an even beer. Your doctor can tell you what kinds of foods will trigger a reaction. Fortunately, there are many great foods that you can eat that don’t contain gluten. These days there are even gluten-free versions of some of your favorite foods. If you have a gluten sensitivity, we’ll still be able to help you develop a custom weight loss plan that will help you reach your goals.