What are the Signs and Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance?

Nowadays, many people suffer from gluten intolerance or food allergies. Gluten is a protein that is present in wheat, rye, barley, oats etc. In gluten intolerance, there is a distortion in the villous lining of the small intestine and this damage is due to a reaction towards gluten.

In modern science, this disease is thought to be a result of two conditions such as autoimmune condition or genetics. When one consumes gluten containing foods, the antibodies start defending the body and these antibodies start attacking normal villi.

Signs and Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance

The symptoms of gluten intolerance may vary from person to person.

Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance in Infants and Young Children Include:

• Pain in abdomen
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Irritability
• Sunken eyes
• Poor concentration

Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance in Adults Include:

• Fatigue
• Bone or joint pain
• Bone loss or osteoporosis
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
• Seizures
• Ulcers in mouth
• An itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis

Gluten Intolerance Treatment in Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, gluten intolerance comes under Asatmaya (intolerance) whose root cause lies in the impairment of Agni (digestive fire). It can be correlated to grahani in Ayurveda. The low digestive fire results in the formation of Ama (undigested food) and the disease manifests.

Ayurvedic treatment of Gluten Intolerance by IAFA involves correcting the immune system, correcting the digestive disturbance, improving the absorption of nutrients from the food. The main aim of gluten intolerance treatment by IAFA is to restore the health of an individual. The treatment of gluten intolerance by IAFA includes:

1. Curcumin Capsules

IAFA’s Curcumin capsules are prepared using the standardized extract. Curcumin is one of the most important ingredients of the herb Turmeric. It is anti-inflammatory in nature. It helps to heal the gut from food intolerances such as gluten intolerance. Turmeric also promotes natural cleansing inside the digestive tract.

Dose: Take 2 capsules once a day.

2. Aahar Amrutham Gulika

Aahar Amrutham Gulika is an excellent Ayurvedic preparation by IAFA enriched with various herbs such as Vacha (Acorus calamus), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Parpata (Fumaria indica), Harivera (Valeriana wallichi), Nagara (Zingiber officinale), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Shati (Hedychium spicatum), Dhaniya (Coriandrum sativum), Dadima (Punica granatum), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus) and Atis (Aconitum heterophyllum). This tablet is prepared under high quality conditions and it also possesses digestive enzymatic action along with immune modulator action.

Dose: Take 2 tablets twice a day in between meals.

3. Anthra Mitram Gulika

Anthra Mitram Gulika by IAFA is a unique herbal preparation which works specifically on gluten intolerance. It is a Parpati preparation by IAFA which is highly potent in nature and free from artificial flavours, colours and additives. Ingredients of Anthram Mitram Gulika are Praval Panchamrut (with mouktik), Piyush Villa Ras, Mukta Panchamrit Ras, Kutaja Ghan Vati, Giloy Satva, Godanti Bhasam, Swarnmakshik Bhasam, Mukta ShuktiPishti, Vijay Parpati, Suvarna Parpati and Panchamrut Parpati. It effectively removes Ama (toxins) from the body and quiet effective in the absorption of nutrients.

Dose: Take 1 tablet twice daily.

4. Kutaja Ghan Vati

Kutaja Ghan Vati is a classical Ayurvedic medicine prepared from the bark of Holarrhena antidysenterica tree. The bark tones the digestive system and useful in diarrhoea, dysentery associated with gluten intolerance. Traditionally, it is used in the treatment of atisara (diarrhoea), asra (blood or blood related disorders), deepana (improving digestion) etc. Being tikta (bitter) and Kashaya (astringent) in taste, sheet veerya (cold in potency), it pacifies Pitta and Kaphadoshas.

Dose: Take 1 tablet twice daily.

5. Triphala Capsules

Triphala is a combination of three fruits – Haritaki, Bibhitaki and Amla. These fruits are dried thoroughly and mixed in the right proportion to prepare triphala. The synergistic effect of these three ingredients has a unique potential to detoxify and rejuvenate the body. It is generally used as a mild bowel cleanser as it promotes digestion. Triphala boosts immunity as well.

Dose: Take 2 capsules once a day or at bedtime.

6. Aahar Amrutham Chai

IAFA’s Aahar Amrutham Chai is an Ayurvedic Herbal Tea that supports digestion of a wide range of foods. It is a proprietary Ayurvedic herbal formulation containing the goodness of six wonderful herbs. These herbs are: Parushaka (Grewia asiatica), Kharjura (Phoenix dactylifera), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Kamal pushpa (Nelumbo nucifera), Amalki (Emblica officinalis) and Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides). This tea helps in absorbing essential nutrients from the food and maintains proper digestive fire and eliminates Ama (difficult to digest products generated within the body). The anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic properties of this product help in the treatment of gluten intolerance naturally. This tea can be consumed regularly even after recovering from gluten intolerance. It is completely natural and can be used as a substitute for normal tea.

Dose: ½ teaspoon for 1 cup of tea twice a day.

Some Home Remedies for Gluten Intolerance

1. Ginger: Take 2-3 fresh slices of ginger with black salt and lemon before meals.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar: Take about 30 ml of apple cider vinegar before meals regularly.
3. Pomegranate: Fresh pomegranate juice is very effective in absorption of nutrients. Take about 100-150 ml of pomegranate juice in the morning regularly. Decoction of pomegranate peel is also very effective for gluten intolerance.
4. Buttermilk: Drink a glass of fresh buttermilk with ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder, a pinch of roasted cumin seed powder and rock salt according to taste.

Diet and Lifestyle

Diet plays an important role in the treatment of gluten intolerance.

• Include herbs such as ginger, fennel and cumin in the diet as these herbs help in stimulating the digestive enzyme secretions which will further improve digestion.
• Include old rice, buckwheat, ragi, whole corn, millets in the diet.
• Take a green food supplement once a day.
• Avoid all the food items that contain gluten such as wheat, oats and barley.
• Some yoga postures such as Vajrasana, Pawanmuktasana and pranayama such as kapalbhati and shavasana are very useful.