Dr Oz: Gluten Sensitivity & Celiac Disease on the Gluten Spectrum

Dr Oz: Gluten Free Foods

Dr Oz said that the latest marketing craze is Gluten-Free products, with more than 45,000 options popping up in stores and online. It’s a growing $6 billion industry, but Dr Oz wanted to help people understand whether they really have health problems with gluten. Dr Oz explored the Gluten Spectrum and revealed how many adults could have Gluten Sensitivity without knowing it.  Do you think you are Gluten-Intolerant or allergic to Gluten?

What Is Gluten?

Dr Oz explained that Gluten is a natural protein found in grains such as wheat and rye. He said it’s what makes some breads fluffy. Of course, it’s also found in pizza dough and can thicken sauces or soup.

It’s also increasingly found in processed foods like salad dressing, beer, and cookies. But is it bad for you? Dr Neal Barnard is a gluten expert who returned to Dr Oz’s show with the latest on this popular topic.

Dr Oz: Gluten Chameleon Disease

Dr Barnard said that Gluten acts as a chameleon, causing symptoms that aren’t always easy to trace back to the source. One study found that more than 50 conditions, from anemia to osteoporosis, could be related to Gluten intake.

Though it seems like we’re hearing more about this lately. Dr Barnard said it’s not just the awareness due to marketing and product development. In fact, Gluten sensitivity is on the rise. Why could this be?

Dr Barnard said there are more than 25,000 wheat hybrids in the marketplace today, some with more gluten than others. Also, over the last several decades, most of us have shifted from making homemade breads to mass-produced breads in stores.

Are Gluten Allergies Genetic?

Does this run in the family? Not exactly, according to Dr Barnard, who reported that anyone could develop a Gluten allergy at any time. Though you aren’t born with the allergy, some people’s genetics make them more susceptible to developing a Gluten sensitivity.

Dr Oz: How Gluten Affects Intestines

“The problem is that the body recognizes the Gluten as a foreign protein. It mounts a response, but the body overreacts and ends up attacking the various tissues of the body,” Dr Barnard explained.

Dr Oz illustrated this with one of his demonstrations. He used what looked like red juice and baking soda to demonstrate how Gluten causes a small reaction initially, but can grow into a health problem over time in your intestines.

Dr Oz: Gluten Spectrum

Dr Barnard walked Dr Oz through the Gluten Spectrum of associated diseases and health problems.

Dr Oz: Celiac Disease

Testing for Celiac Disease reveals that a patient’s intestinal tract is visibly damaged. This occurs in about 1% of the population.

Dr Oz: Gluten Sensitive

Patients who are Gluten Sensitive are a much larger group, and may have similar intestinal or digestive symptoms. Approximately 50 symptoms and conditions may be associated with Gluten, but testing could come back negative, which is what makes this so elusive and leads to rampant misdiagnosis.

Dr Oz: Gluten Friendly

Patients in the “Gluten Friendly” category have no problems processing Gluten based foods like bread and pasta. They have no consequences from eating Gluten.

Dr Oz: Gluten Sensitivity Test

Dr Barnard guessed that up to 10% of the population, or 20 million adults, could be Gluten Sensitive or have Celiac Disease, most without even knowing they’re at risk. Unfortunately, there is no effective blood or genetic test so far. The only way to figure this out is to know the symptoms.