What is Gluten? The Good, The Bad, and the TCM Truth
We’ve been Acupuncturists and TCM practitioners for a while now and we’ve started noticing some patterns, some things we end up advising quite a few of our patients. One of the things we often advise patients is that cutting down on or cutting out gluten can really help them on their way to achieving optimal health.
We wanted to take some time to dig deep and explain in a bit more detail what gluten actually is, as well as the good and bad that comes along with it.
The Good
What is Gluten? Gluten is a mixture of two proteins: Gliadin and Glutelin. They’re found, together with starch, in the middle part of a grain kernel.
Gluten is useful in baking. It gives bread dough that stretchy nature and promotes its rising. It also helps bread to retain moisture. On a lazy Saturday morning a slice of warm, bakery-fresh bread with your favourite spread - mmm... it tastes really good.
The Bad
Let’s chat biology. What happens to people on a biological level when they’re reacting badly to gluten?
Along the lining on the inside of our small intestines we have tiny little finger-like projections called villi. For some people, gluten can cause these villi to flatten and the small intestine to become inflamed.
When the villi are flattened, they are unable to absorb important nutrients that the body needs. Then, over time, the lining of the small intestine can become more porous allowing food particles to escape into the bloodstream.
The body sees these particles as foreign and may react with an autoimmune reaction. This cascade of events can put the digestive system and whole body under a lot of pressure, causing pain, rashes, stool changes and a long list of other unpleasant symptoms.
The Different Types of Gluten Intolerances
Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease is an autoimmune condition that occurs in genetically predisposed people of all ages. The response to gluten causes the immune system to attack its own body.
The intestinal villi are damaged which hinders the absorption of important nutrients.
Symptoms include behavioural changes, irritation, depression, bone/joint pain, delayed growth, fatigue, weakness, missed periods, fertility issues, pale foul smelling stools, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, miscarriage, tooth discolouration, anemia and weight changes.
The best treatment is a gluten-free diet.
Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance
People with Gluten Intolerance that isn’t related to Celiac Disease can experience some of the same symptoms as people with Celiac Disease but the symptoms will often be more delayed.
Abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, headaches, joint pain, migraines and foggy brain are all commonly reported symptoms.
It is more common than celiac disease and people test negative to the standard celiac blood tests.
These people generally don’t have the autoimmune response or as much tissue damage as people with Celiac Disease either.
And as mentioned earlier some people just find that they have more energy and a better functioning gut when they don’t eat too much of it.
Eliminating gluten for a period of time might be a good way to help give your lining a break while we help get things back in balance.
The TCM Truth
From a Chinese Medicine perspective if you are presenting with digestive complaints we will look more closely at your energetic digestive centre, your Spleen & Stomach.
Herbs and Acupuncture points to boost these organs as well as smooth out how it interacts with your other organs may be one of the first steps taken to help you to regain your overall health balance.
Peppermint and ginger are commonly used digestive herbs in Chinese Med too!
If you’re working towards a gluten free, or low gluten lifestyle, check out our blog here for some great gluten free recipe ideas and alternatives!
Come visit us to chat about your diet, your overall health, or just for some relaxing Acupuncture.