Not Sure If This Is Truly Celiac Related, But...

[BethM55]

A friend asked me the following, and I'm not sure what to tell her.  I did suggest she look in to leaky gut syndrome.  Other than that, any suggestions?  (Yes, I know... I'm puzzled also about her use of  the term 'regular bread products', as opposed to whole grains.)  Thank you in advance!

 

"Nutrition question:  do you know of anything in the outer coating (the rough parts) of grains like wheat that would be an irritant or allergen?  Sean has never been good with whole grains, but he has no trouble with regular bread products.  It finally became obvious when we shared a whole-grain muffin that was very soft and finely-ground, but still made his stomach upset.  It has me baffled."

 

Thanks, 

-Beth.

 

 

[GF Lover]

Is this person Celiac.  It sounds like he does not know what to avoid to be gluten-free.  If he is a silent Celiac he may be starting to get reactions as it sounds like he had eaten gluten regularly and continuing to incur damage.  If she has allergies to a food, that is complete different.  If she is NCGI then I would question if a problem exists.

 

At any rate, it is hard to be sure of what she is actually talking about.

 

Colleen

[BethM55]

gluten-free Lover, he is not celiac that I'm aware of, although he's not been tested.  I've suggested in the past that the entire family try being gluten free because of multiple health problems, but they're not amenable to this.  NCGI is a possibility too.  If he is NCGI, why do you question if a problem exists?

[GF Lover]

do you know of anything in the outer coating (the rough parts) of grains like wheat that would be an irritant or allergen

Wheat Grass?  My opinion is that you should not eat it due to possible contamination.  What other rough parts would you eat...I don't know of any.

 

he has no trouble with regular bread products

What regular bread products is eating?  Does he have any other intolerances?  Is he eating gluten free bread?

 

 we shared a whole-grain muffin that was very soft and finely-ground, but still made his stomach upset.

A whole grain muffin?  Was is gluten free?  What was in the muffin?  the grinding of grains should make no difference.

 

It seems unclear exactly what he is eating...rough parts?  The comparison of bread products to a finely ground product?  I'm not sure they understand exactly what they need to do to be gluten free.  I emphasize 'understand'.  Is only the one person eating gluten-free with the rest of the family kind of gluten-free?  That will make a difference right there.  There really is not enough information to figure out what exactly is going on.  Basically, It is unclear to me if the person in question is eating gluten-free  or just does not like 'whole grains'.

 

Colleen

[cyclinglady]

I would never recommend for someone to go gluten free without first getting tested for celiac disease. If the tests are negative and the person wants to try the gluten-free diet to see if it eliminates their symptoms, then fine. The gluten-free diet is a huge commitment not only to food changes but lifestyle changes as well. I can see why your friends would resist.

There is no way that I would have gone gluten free to resolve my life-long anemia. Heck, it took me over a year of being on the diet to see results. I personally needed proof that gluten-free was the cure for my illness. There was also no way that I would have given up so many carbs after my celiac disease diagnosis without proof that I had diabetes either. It is hard to disregard lab results!

[BethM55]

Thank you all for your responses.  I will have to talk more with my friend to get more specific information.  Her son may be gluten intolerant, or there may be other issues to address.  Hard to tell.  Again, thanks!

[RMJ]

I think the outer coating would be the wheat bran?