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Gluten Intolerance tests and the practical results of Gluten sensitivity  Uploading ....Many of us experience some of the physical side effects of gluten sensitivity which is basically the body's automatic immune reaction to the gluten in body tissues and blood. The signs are varied but often include, for example, aches and pains, stomach discomfort, bloating, wind &diarrhoea. However it also seems that people who show gluten sensitivity are also more likely to suffer depression and anxiety. In fact, many research studies indicate that people who are gluten intolerant may also experience social phobias which can lead to increased depression and anxiety. It is a vicious circle but luckily in some cases it can be cured by removing gluten from your diet.
So just how and why would gluten cause people to feel anxious and depressed? It seems that when we consume food which contain wheat (sometimes even milk, rice and soy), the stomach digests it breaking it down into very small particles known as small peptides (often referred to as exorphins, but we will return to that below). These peptides then turn bind to the gamma and delta opioid receptors in the brain which can then negatively affect the central nervous system. When gluten particles bind to the opioid receptors you may experience a variety of short lived positive effects such as mood elevation, become less emotionally sensitive, be less sensitive to pain, increased confidence and self assuredness. However, teh same as a drug, gluten filled foods only have a upside in the immediate moment - there is a come down.
 gluten intolerance testing
There are many bad longer term effects to consuming gluten including, stress responses, relaxation, respiratory, depression, decrease in body temperature and low blood pressure.Some of us may suffer changes in their sexual behaviour, social phobias, anxiety &depression. Luckily it is relatively simple these days to get a gluten intolerance test either yourself (they are available online www.checkmybody.co.uk) or at your GP. This will show you if you are gluten sensitive.
It seems we have a strong emotional attachment to gluten rich foods and one of the key challenges to removing it from your diet is overcoming the deep emotional attachment that many of us have to a greater or lesser degree to gluten filled food. Some scientists have suggested that it is in fact much more than an emotional attachment and is much more similar to an addiction. As alluded to above we return to the role of exorphins, which are the peptides which bind to opioid receptors. These exorphins result from an external trigger (e.g. foods containing wheat) and have morphine like effects on the body in the same way as endorphins, Except that our bodies naturally make endorphins. The theory goes that eatng certain foods creates an effect that is not unlike heroin or morphine and that thus the body ican become addicted to certain foods, like wheat.
This can obvioulsy be a problem if that a person is sensitive or allergic to that particular food. In fact, many trials have shown that people with severe mental illnesses for example schizophrenia can often experience fewer symptoms if they stop eating wheat, as well and or dairy products.
So then it is clear that people with gluten sensitivities may experience symptoms that are wrongly diagnosed or dismissed as normal aging or worse a mental illness. These may show as fatigue, IBS, chronic depression, learning disabilities, anxiousness, ADD, ADHD, pains & aches, bloating, constipation/diarrhoea and yo yo weight loss / gain.
If this seems familiar to you there is some good news and you need not have to live your life tired, in pain and depressed! Removing all gluten from your diet may often alleviate your depression and anxiety without any further medication. If if your gluten test didn't show a sensitivity it may still be worth going gluten free as once you have kicked your "addiction" to wheat products, you may be pleasantly surprised by a whole new world of food ingredients that don't contain gluten.
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