Celiac vs. Gluten Intolerance: Is There a Difference Between Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance? | Best in Gluten Free | Schär (2024)

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Celiac vs. Gluten Intolerance: Is There a Difference Between Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance? | Best in Gluten Free | Schär? ›

Celiac disease is quite different to wheat allergy and gluten intolerance in that it is an autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system directs antibodies to attack gluten.

“Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder, whereas gluten intolerance is a sensitivity,” says Northwestern Memorial Hospital Clinical Dietitian Bethany Doerfler, MS, RD, LDN. “NCGS does not typically have a full negative impact on overall health like celiac disease can.”

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a condition characterized by intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten-containing foods in the absence of celiac disease and wheat allergy.

Coeliac disease is a well defined, serious illness where the body's immune system attacks itself when gluten is eaten. This causes damage to the lining of the gut and means that the body cannot properly absorb nutrients from food. Coeliac disease is not a food allergy or intolerance, it is an autoimmune disease.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition; wheat allergy involves an immune (not auto-immune) response, and the biological processes responsible for non-celiac gluten sensitivity remain undefined.

Celiac disease is most commonly confused with gluten intolerance. As Shakespeare might say, “What's in a name?” Well, it turns out that they are two very different things. So, let's go over a few things and see why it is important to differentiate between the two.

Coeliac disease is the preferred spelling in British English, while celiac disease is typically used in North American English.

For people with coeliac disease, even small amounts of gluten can damage the lining of the small intestine (bowel), which prevents the proper absorption of food nutrients. Inflammation also occurs elsewhere in the body. If you have coeliac disease, inflammation and damage can occur even if you have no symptoms.

People with gluten intolerance may experience gastrointestinal symptoms or other symptoms, such as a headache, joint pain, and fatigue, after consuming gluten. These symptoms typically resolve when someone removes gluten from their diet.

Do celiacs eat eggs? ›

Meats and eggs are naturally gluten-free and are safe to consume in their natural form, regardless of whether the source animal consumed gluten-containing grain. Gluten should not be present in properly handled meats. Processed meats such as deli meats could contain gluten, but it is not typical for gluten to be added.

Celiac disease is caused by specific genes, eating gluten, and possibly by some other triggers such as childbirth, surgery, stress, or other autoimmune disorders. However, medical science is still working to understand the roles of these potential causal factors.

They may suffer from abdominal distention and pain, and/or other symptoms such as: iron-deficiency anemia, chronic fatigue, chronic migraine, peripheral neuropathy (tingling, numbness, or pain in hands or feet), unexplained chronic hypertransaminasemia (elevated liver enzymes), reduced bone mass and bone fractures, and ...

When a celiac person ingests gluten, his or her immune system will attack against its own body's tissue. Whereas, if a person is gluten intolerant, the consumption of gluten will cause short-term bloating and belly pain. Unlike celiac disease, gluten intolerance doesn't usually cause long-term harm to the body.

There's no cure for gluten intolerance. But most people find relief from symptoms by following a gluten-free diet. You should work with your healthcare provider and a dietitian to plan your diet. You can also ask your healthcare provider about adding probiotics to your diet.

People with non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity experience symptoms similar to those of celiac disease, which resolve when gluten is removed from the diet. However, they do not test positive for celiac disease.

While it is very rare, it is possible for someone with celiac disease to have negative antibody test results. If your tests were negative, but you continue to experience symptoms, consult your physician and undergo further medical evaluation.