undefined | Better HN

0 pointsCharlieDigital1y ago0 comments

    >  ...gluten is something that seems to be a culprit of IBS symptoms in certain people. That doesn't mean that gluten is bad, just that it causes a poor reaction in some people...

This is also my take on it.

I've watched it first hand with my wife -- who is 1/2 Italian -- giving up pasta and bread in the last few years. It has made a huge difference in her daily quality of life with respect to digestive issues (mainly bloating and gassiness).

Gluten is a protein so it's not hard to imagine that either this protein is not easily digested by some folks or some byproduct of its digestion feeds some specific gut bacteria that produces inflammatory compounds. If Celiac is a full blown immune response to inflammation caused by gluten, then it seems reasonable that some folks would have a spectrum of reactions to barely registering it or somewhere in between (like my wife).

It's possible that it's some other compound that's prevalent in wheat, but avoiding wheat-based products has been life changing for my wife. I would add that this has developed with age similarly to how she has become lactose intolerant as well around the time she turned 40 so if you're in your 20's or 30's and you think this is malarkey, well, give it time (and really enjoy your lactose and gluten!).

Why folks downvoted the original comment, I don't understand; this is based on firsthand experience hacking her diet and observing how she felt. I'm not here on some anti-gluten crusade (my kids eat and enjoy plenty of gluten for the entire household!)

0 comments

4 comments · 2 top-level

tstrimple1y ago· 2 in thread

This describes my wife almost exactly. Developed gluten and lactose intolerance right around 40. She was one of those people who had to have at least one glass of milk a day and a gallon of ice cream a week and that had to be cut out 100%. She reacts to very small amounts of milk and gluten products. Even top ramen flavor packets in a pasta salad contain enough wheat and milk to give her a miserable day. Much like HFCS, dairy and wheat are fillers in SO many products that it's become a chore to shop and almost impossible to eat out spontaneously anymore.

CharlieDigitalOP1y ago

    > This describes my wife almost exactly. Developed gluten and lactose intolerance right around 40.

Anecdotally, I've heard this from other women in my wife's peer group so I also wonder if some of this is related to hormonal changes from child birth or maybe even pre-menopause.

Her reactions are not as severe as your spouse's -- just gasiness and general abdominal discomfort (enough that it's not worth it for the satisfaction of eating pasta and dairy day-to-day). She will still occasionally indulge.

I, for one, still happily consume gluten and lactose (to her chagrin) despite being Asian.

ikr6781y ago

I think the high level theory is that women have stronger immune systems/immune responses (protective evolution for childbirth) so foods that cause inflamation or gut irritation result in a disproportionate reaction.

Beijinger1y ago

"well, give it time (and really enjoy your lactose and gluten!)."

And don't forget to avoid Glyphosate :-)

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse