Gluten Sensitivity

Summary

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. It is found mainly in foods but may also be in other products like medicines, vitamins, and supplements. People with gluten sensitivity have problems with gluten. It is different from celiac disease, an immune disease in which people can't eat gluten because it will damage their small intestine.

Some of the symptoms of gluten sensitivity are similar to celiac disease. They include tiredness and stomachaches. It can cause other symptoms too, including muscle cramps and leg numbness. But it does not damage the small intestine like celiac disease.

Researchers are still learning more about gluten sensitivity. If your health care provider thinks you have it, he or she may suggest that you stop eating gluten to see if your symptoms go away. However, you should first be tested to rule out celiac disease.

Dept. of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health

Diagnosis and Tests

• Food Allergy Testing (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Learn More

• 4-Week Gluten-Free Meal Plan (Gluten Intolerance Group) - PDF
• Eating Out: 7 Tips For Staying Gluten-Free (Gluten Intolerance Group)
• Getting Started on a Gluten-Free Diet (Gluten Intolerance Group)
• Gluten and Celiac Disease (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Gluten-Free Diet Guide for Families (North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition) - PDF
• Gluten-Free Diet: Nutrition and Healthy Eating (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Gluten-Free Labeling of Foods (Food and Drug Administration)
• Non-Celiac Gluten/Wheat Sensitivity (Gluten Intolerance Group)
• Sources of Gluten (Celiac Disease Foundation)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Gluten Sensitivity (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Psychological distress trend in non-celiac gluten sensitivity: is there a role...
• Article: Gluten Sensitivity Underlying Resistant "Laryngopharyngeal Reflux" Symptoms and Signs.
• Article: High frequency of gastrointestinal complaints, but insignificant prevalence of gluten-sensitive enteropathies...
• Gluten Sensitivity -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• Find a Healthcare Practitioner (Celiac Disease Foundation)
• Find a Nutrition Expert (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)
• Gluten Intolerance Group
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Patient Handouts

• Learn about gluten-free diets (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish