It’s a fact, gluten-free diets are trendy, and many people are starting to embrace this way of eating without really knowing whether they are gluten intolerant. Today, we offer you the chance to answer this question with the quiz from Marion Kaplan, a micronutritionist and creator of the famous Vitaliseur.

Over to Marion

"You can be intolerant to gluten without knowing it. In fact, if you have more than 8 food intolerances in a test, you are likely suffering from dysbiosis (meaning your gut flora is struggling), and you may have developed intestinal permeability.

Fatigue, though not considered a disease, is one of the first signs. The slightest effort exhausts you, you wake up tired, you are demotivated, and all you want to do is lie down on the couch and do nothing... Other signs vary from simple discomfort to more severe symptoms:

• Sensitivity to cold
• Bloating
• Difficult digestion
• Constipation
• Joint or bone pain
• Poor circulation
• Skin and hair problems
• Sleep disorders
• Memory issues
• Depression...

These discomforts may vary depending on your age and the stress caused by your environment. If they are chronic, you may suffer from one or more food intolerances, starting with gluten. This type of intolerance can also be suspected in a child if they are constantly fidgeting and moody, or, on the contrary, if they withdraw and don’t speak, have trouble focusing on a task, skin problems, or growth delay.

The quiz

To determine whether you are intolerant or not, answer the following questions with yes or no. They will shed light on the most common food intolerance symptoms and your own weak spots.

• Do you often feel bloated?
• Do you have diarrhea or constipation problems?
• Do you feel sleepy after lunch?
• Do you always feel tired?
• Do you often have a "stomach ache" (colitis)?
• Do you experience nausea?
• Are you too overweight or too thin?
• Do you have tetany attacks?
• Do you often have headaches?
• Do you frequently catch colds or sinus infections?
• Do you have joint pain?
• Do you have bone pain?
• Do you have poor circulation?
• Are you depressed?
• Are you emotional?
• Do you have memory issues?
• Do you have sleep problems?
• Do you have skin problems?
• Do you have hair problems?
• Are you sensitive to cold?
• Do you experience hot flashes?
• Do you have bleeding?

RESULTS

The ideal is to have the fewest points possible.

• Up to 6 yeses: You are likely sensitive to gluten (possibly also to casein, the protein in milk). Why not try reducing consumption?
• From 6 to 12 yeses: You are probably gluten intolerant. A gluten-free diet will have very positive effects on your health.
• More than 12 yeses: It's worth doing tests for celiac disease (an autoimmune disease characterized by damage to the villi lining the small intestine). Eliminating gluten (and possibly casein) from your diet is necessary.

Symptoms related to gluten

Food intolerances to gluten (just like those related to cow’s milk products) can lead to many pathologies such as:

• Hypertension
• Thyroid, liver, and gallbladder issues
• Hormonal problems
• Bone issues (osteoporosis and arthritis)
• Gynecological diseases
• Autoimmune diseases
• Certain deficiencies in iron, folates (vitamin B9), zinc, and magnesium.

Numerous studies show that removing gluten (and cow’s milk products) from your diet can greatly improve a patient’s health. This is only an approximate test as symptoms can vary depending on your age, diet, and adaptation to your environment (physical, emotional stress, etc.).

• If the issues are only temporary, don’t worry about it.
• If the discomfort is chronic, you are likely suffering from deficiencies caused, among other things, by gluten or casein intolerance, or both.

To everyone, or rather to anyone suffering from the previously mentioned disorders. The main sign: fatigue. Yet fatigue is not a disease recognized by medicine. Addressing this symptom as soon as it appears can save you from many troubles. Since I’ve recommended this diet, I am myself surprised by the results obtained. I’ve seen very complex cases that the medical community had given up on improve, even heal (like Parkinson’s disease, personality disorders, depression, schizophrenia, fibromyalgia, skin problems, multiple sclerosis, resistant obesity)! That’s why I call it my miracle diet.

Out of curiosity, you can try it for 15 days. From the first signs of discomfort, even non-digestive, try it. Sometimes just a few days are enough to bring everything back to normal. If you’ve been ill for longer, improvement might take longer. You will certainly feel lighter, less bloated from the first few days. Many people will lose weight and feel better in their bodies.

Improvement in depressive states takes longer. Don’t forget that the small intestine secretes as much serotonin as the brain, our well-being hormone. For the intestinal wall to regenerate and neurotransmitters to function normally, it may take more than four months, with a boost from micro-nutrition.

In all cases, hold on and be rigorous. The slightest deviation, the smallest amount of gluten or casein, will trigger defense reactions. I’ve known a young woman who, as soon as she made the slightest slip, often involuntary, saw her feet swell and turn red! Another suffered from insomnia again, and another resumed her binge eating!

And the children?

This diet is particularly effective for children:

• Eczema can stop in 15 days
• Hyperactive children can become calmer within the first month
• They will also concentrate better at school, be less aggressive, and more social.

However, a challenge comes with this dietary change: the canteen and the criticism of others. Standing out from the norm is never easy. On one hand, you risk encountering administrative obstacles. Indeed, you can only have a special diet if you are medically recognized as celiac. Unfortunately, you can be sensitive or intolerant to gluten without this appearing in a biopsy. Taking care of your child at lunchtime is, of course, ideal, but if you have no choice, you can only try to “befriend” the cafeteria staff and explain to your child why they must avoid certain foods. On the other hand, your immediate circle (family, friends) may sometimes not understand and cynically deny the food-related origin of your child’s ailments. It’s up to you to manage the situation without too much friction!»

Marion Kaplan (article from the website www.vitaliseur.com)

To go further

Check out our article "All about the gluten-free diet" by clicking this link. Also, check out our article "5 myths about gluten".

You can find Marion talking about gluten on our podcast Kazitalk. The episode 'Should we really avoid gluten?' is available on spotify and all other listening platforms.

Finally, Kazidomi supports you in this new gluten-free diet: visit this page "Gluten-free grocery" to do your shopping safely.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about Gluten

• What is gluten?

  Gluten is a protein found primarily in cereals like wheat, barley, and rye. It gives flour-based products their elasticity, but it can cause unwanted reactions in some people.

• What are the common symptoms of gluten intolerance?

  Symptoms can include bloating, diarrhea, constipation, chronic fatigue, joint pain, headaches, skin reactions, nausea, sleep disorders, and digestive problems.

• How do you diagnose gluten intolerance or sensitivity?

  Diagnosis usually starts with a consultation with a doctor who may recommend screening tests. This may include blood tests to search for specific antibodies such as anti-transglutaminase antibodies. A final diagnosis may also require a biopsy of the small intestine.

• What is transglutaminase?

  Transglutaminase is an enzyme targeted by antibodies in celiac disease. A screening test looking for anti-transglutaminase antibodies in the blood can help diagnose celiac disease.

• What is the difference between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity?

  Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which gluten ingestion damages the small intestine. On the other hand, non-celiac gluten sensitivity causes similar symptoms without causing permanent damage to the intestine.

• What diagnostic tests are available for gluten?

  A diagnosis of celiac disease or gluten intolerance often involves blood tests to detect the presence of antibodies (such as anti-transglutaminase or anti-endomysium antibodies). There are also screening kits available in laboratories or at home that can provide results in minutes.

• How long does it take to get results after a gluten screening test?

  Blood test results for anti-gluten antibodies typically take a few days to a week. Rapid screening kits available in some pharmacies can provide results in just a few minutes.

• Can gluten intolerant patients also be lactose intolerant?

  Yes, patients with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity may sometimes develop temporary lactose intolerance due to damage to the intestine, which reduces the production of lactase, the enzyme responsible for digesting lactose.

• Can gluten cause chronic diseases?

  Yes, untreated gluten intolerance can be linked to chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis, anemia, autoimmune diseases, and hormonal issues. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to avoid these complications.

• What treatments are available for patients with celiac disease?

  The only treatment for celiac disease is the complete elimination of gluten from the diet. This includes avoiding gluten-containing cereals and being vigilant about processed products that may contain gluten.

• What foods contain gluten?

  Gluten is found in products like bread, pasta, cakes, biscuits, as well as in some processed products like sauces, soups, and even certain alcoholic drinks like beer.

• Is it necessary to consult a doctor before starting a gluten-free diet?

  Yes, it is highly recommended to consult a doctor or a nutritionist before starting a gluten-free diet, especially to get a clear diagnosis and avoid nutritional deficiencies.

• What is celiac disease?

  Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which gluten triggers an abnormal immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine. This can lead to digestive symptoms but also more generalized issues like fatigue and nutritional deficiencies.

• What are the risks of not treating gluten intolerance?

  Untreated gluten intolerance, especially in cases of celiac disease, can lead to permanent damage to the intestine, nutrient malabsorption, autoimmune diseases, and increase the risk of developing serious complications like intestinal cancer.

• What are the benefits of a gluten-free diet for intolerant individuals?

  A gluten-free diet can improve digestion, reduce bloating, relieve fatigue, strengthen the immune system, and improve skin and hair health. It also helps prevent complications related to gluten intolerance or celiac disease.