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new to the gluten free journey?
In today’s world, dietary preferences and sensitivities are increasingly in the spotlight. Gluten intolerance and Celiac have emerged as common and often misunderstood conditions. For those who deal with gluten sensitivity, they know that with gluten intolerance comes more than just mild discomfort. There are a massive array of symptoms that can arise from gluten consumption that disrupt the flow of everyday life. One of the most pervasive and distressing symptoms associated with gluten intolerance is gluten diarrhea. In this article we will address the relationship between gluten and diarrhea and offer guidance on how to manage this relationship for a healthier, more comfortable lifestyle.
Gluten is the protein in grains that lends elasticity to bread and other baked goods. Gluten is often associated with wheat, rye, and barley. However, we know that gluten protein can be found in ALL grains. Common foods containing gluten include pasta, bread, baked goods, and beer, as well as many sauces, condiments, and marinades.
For those with celiac disease, gluten can be incredibly harmful. Gluten can trigger an immune reaction causing inflammation in the intestines, which can result in a host of other health issues.
There are many people who have tested negative for celiac disease but experience symptoms from the ingestion of gluten or face a number of health issues including autoimmune diseases. These people are believed to have non celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), a condition that has been suggested to affect up to 6% of the United States population.
Although commonly thought to be less of a problem than celiac, NCGS can trigger immune reactions that in some cases are just as troubling. For an in depth breakdown on the differences between celiac disease and NCGS, watch our free Glutenology© Masterclass here.
The symptoms of gluten exposure for those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity can vary greatly from person to person which can make it challenging to identify gluten as the root cause. In addition, symptoms extend far beyond the digestive concerns that are most commonly discussed with respect to celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Common symptoms include the following:
Gluten can contribute to intestinal inflammation in those who are sensitive. This can manifest in a number of different ways, including diarrhea. This section explains the ways in which gluten can cause diarrhea and how a gluten free diet can help resolve diarrhea.
Gluten consumption can contribute to nutritional deficiencies. This is because many nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine, and when the intestines are damaged, they are unable to properly absorb nutrients. One common deficiency in those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity is vitamin B12. A vitamin B12 deficiency can contribute to many symptoms, including diarrhea. Other examples include deficiencies of vitamin B1, B3, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin D.
Gluten induced immune responses can increase the risk of intestinal bacterial and fungal overgrowths that might contribute to diarrhea. In fact, some research suggests that there is a correlation between celiac disease and candida overgrowth. In addition, research suggests that some patients with celiac disease and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) do not respond to traditional methods of treating SIBO.
One study found that patients have substantial and rapid improvement of diarrhea symptoms upon the adoption of a gluten-free diet,
Another study found that a gluten free diet is effective in the long-term treatment of patients with previously unexplained chronic watery diarrhea or bloating. And more research even suggested using the antigliadin IgG as a biomarker to identify patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who might have reductions in diarrhea on a gluten free diet.
Diarrhea means having a loose, watery stool during a bowel movement. Occasional or minor diarrhea is generally not a concern, but persistent, chronic, or severe diarrhea can come with some risks.
The biggest risk of diarrhea is dehydration. This can happen as the body is losing a lot of fluid through stools. Typically stools spend enough time in the large intestine that fluid gets absorbed by the body. But with diarrhea, stools pass through quickly and take fluid with them as they exit the body. Without treatment, dehydration can lead to kidney failure, stroke, heart attack or in the most severe and rare cases, even death.
Another risk of persistent diarrhea is malnutrition. Excessive diarrhea can lead to malabsorption of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals in the diet.
In addition, a big risk of chronic or persistent diarrhea is not identifying the root cause of the diarrhea. Oftentimes, there is an underlying condition that causes chronic diarrhea. Left untreated, many conditions come with their own risks. Some such conditions include celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, colitis, and pancreatitis.
The first step to manage gluten diarrhea is to eliminate gluten from your diet, including hidden forms of gluten. Next, ensure that you are hydrating well in order to restore some of the fluids lost through diarrhea.
Even after eliminating gluten from your diet, there is healing that must occur “behind the scenes”. This healing will address the intestinal damage from gluten consumption, plus the downstream effects of intestinal damage, like systemic inflammation and nutritional deficiencies. Healing your gut can also help to mitigate lingering symptoms of gluten, like gluten diarrhea. Below are some ways to help promote healing. For more support and comprehensive information, check out our Glutenology© Masterclass
Foods like bone broth can help to heal and repair the gut lining. Bone broth can also help to rehydrate your body. Your body may be less tolerant to certain foods as you begin to heal, but aim to eat whole unprocessed foods like grass-fed beef, pasture-raised poultry and eggs, and
Probiotics (good bacteria) and prebiotics (the food that feeds probiotics) can help to rebalance a dysbiotic or unbalanced gut, which is common in those who have been exposed to gluten. In particular, research suggests that Saccharomyces boulardii may be the most effective probiotic for treating acute diarrhea in children. Many other studies have linked probiotic supplementation to relief from diarrhea, and to better stools as measured by frequency and the Bristol Stool Chart.
Postbiotics contain inactivated microbial cells or cell components, so they are more stable than probiotics, but exert similar health benefits. For those who are sensitive to probiotics due to other underlying conditions, postbiotics may be beneficial.
Foods and supplements like turmeric, ginger, and omega-3 fatty acids can help to manage inflammation as the body heals. In addition, research suggests that berberine may be effective in shortening the duration of diarrhea. We share more on supplementation in the next section, and you can read our Ultimate Guide To Supplements here.
A digestive enzyme is a complex protein made by the body that helps to break down food into smaller molecules. Breaking down food helps it to be more easily and completely absorbed into your body. Your body produces its own digestive enzymes in the mouth, pancreas, stomach, and small intestine. However, for some people, production of digestive enzymes has slowed, and they benefit from supplemental enzymes.
Some research has suggested that digestive enzymes can help support digestive symptoms. For example, a small study of 31 patients with IBS found that people who were GOS sensitive and who received a full dose enzyme treatment with alpha-galactosidase supplementation had a reduction in symptoms of IBS when taken with foods that were high GOS.
Research suggests that micronutrient deficiencies increase a child’s susceptibility to diarrhea, but vitamin A and zinc supplementation have been shown to reduce the incidence and hasten recovery from acute diarrhea episodes. Other research notes that diarrhea is both a sign and cause of zinc deficiency.
Accurate test results can help guide your decisions around food choice and supplementation.
Not all supplements are created equal. Many supplements use poor nutrient forms that are not well absorbed. In addition, many supplements (yes, even many premium or practitioner grade supplements) are cross contaminated with gluten. Therefore, it is critical to find a reputable company that specializes in providing gluten free supplements and that is committed to testing its ingredients and final products for gluten. Below is a list of trusted certified gluten free supplements that can support your body through celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and diarrhea.
We understand that navigating the complexities of a gluten free lifestyle can feel overwhelming, so we at Gluten Free Society share a wealth of free information that includes the latest research, helpful tips and recipes, and answers to the questions that so many people have when on the gluten free journey.
For more information on testing and diagnosis, read this article. And if you are uncertain if you have celiac disease, take our gluten sensitivity quiz!
The journey to heal your gut and resolve your gluten diarrhea might feel daunting, but Gluten Free Society is here to walk you through it every step of the way. The effort will be well worth it to enjoy better health!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.
The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Peter Osborne, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Peter Osborne and his community. Peter Osborne encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
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