What is “Gluten Sensitivity” or “Gluten Intolerance”?
One of the most common disorders we see at the Kaplan Medical Center is Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance. Sensitivity to gluten presents across a spectrum, sometimes being the primary factor that is making a patient ill, but more often exacerbating an existing pain condition. We have found that following a gluten-free diet can relieve many of the painful symptoms suffered by patients who do not have Celiac Disease, but who do have arthritis, chronic muscle pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, or autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. What is Gluten? Gluten is a protein that is found in the grains wheat, barley and rye. Do oats contain gluten? Strictly speaking, no; many people with Celiac Disease can eat a small amount of gluten-free oats without a problem. A percentage of people with CD react the same way to the protein in oats as they do to gluten. Talk with your doctor to get more information about your specific nutritional needs. What a
