The 6 Tests For Gluten Intolerance Your Doctor Isn't Running

The explosion of research done on gluten and its damaging health effects has transformed the health and food industry. Thanks to the hybridization of wheat and a grain-centric culture, gluten can be a monster to your health. This protein, found in grains like wheat, rye, spelt and barley, is highly inflammatory for many people. Gluten is the aspartame of the 21st century; maligned by the health community, and defended by its loyal consumers.
Gluten intolerance may be linked to a number of symptoms, such as:

• Autoimmune conditions
• Chronic diseases
• Skin eruptions, eczema, cold sores, acne
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Indigestion
• Bloating Gas
• Heartburn
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Congestion
• Anxiety
• Moodiness or irritability
• Headaches or migraines

Many people who suspect gluten may be a factor in their health problems go to their doctor and ask to be tested. They're typically given the gliadin or anti-transglutaminase antibody tests. The problem with these tests, when run alone, is that they're often an incomplete view of underlying problems.
Gliadin, the protein component of gluten, has four different sub classifications: alpha, beta, gamma and omega. The problem with the typical gliadin antibody test is that it only tests alpha gliadin. You could have a negative alpha gliadin antibody test, but have a positive response against another form of gliadin. This quirk gives many the impression that gluten isn't a problem for them, and they continue to feed their health problems with every meal.
The anti-transglutaminase antibody test is run to rule out celiac disease, the autoimmune disease, which is known for its severe reaction against gluten. Many doctors in the mainstream system don't realize that you do not have to be Celiac to have an intolerance to gluten. An increasing amount of research is being done on non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). An estimated 1 in 20 Americans may have some form of gluten sensitivity or intolerance.
So what tests should be done if you want to find out for sure if you have a gluten intolerance? These are some of the tests that I run on my patients:
1. Deamidated Gliadin
In many processed foods, wheat is put through a process of deamidation which makes it mix better with other ingredients. This chemical process also goes on in your intestines, which can further complicate the issue. Your body may tolerate every other form of gluten except deamidated gliadins.
2. Glutenin
Gliadin is not the only component to gluten. The other half of gluten is a compound called glutenin. This compound was once thought not to cause an inflammatory response in the body, but recent research has shown this not to be the case. Looking at just part of gluten is like having only part of the pieces to a puzzle.
3. Gluteomorphins
Many of my patients feel worse when they first come off of gluten. They're probably detoxing off of gluteomorphins or gliadorphin. Gluteomorphins are opiate-like compounds that can make gluten a bit like addictive drug. Coming off of gluten can come with several days or weeks of irritability, brain fog, headaches and lethargy.
4. Prodynorphin
Prodynorphins are necessary for your body to make endorphins. Their production can be suppressed in someone with gluten sensitivity.
5. Wheat Germ Agglutinin
Wheat germ agglutinin is the lectin component of wheat, and can bind to nutrients to make them unusable in your body. They also can cause an immune response in your body, leading to chronic systemic inflammation.
6. Gluten Cross-Reactivity
This test can be the missing link for many people who are eating "gluten free" but still have symptoms. When your body makes antibodies against gluten, those antibodies can also recognize proteins in other foods. When you eat those foods, even though they don’t contain gluten, your body reacts as though they do!
Some common gluten cross-reactive foods are rice, corn, soy, quinoa and buckwheat. A comprehensive health history and testing can be a life changer for many people who are going undiagnosed and aren't helped by mainstream care. When we clinically investigate these underlying issues, a customized health program can be designed for the individual. What works for one person may not be right for the next.

Dr. William Cole, DC, graduated from Southern California University of Health Sciences in Los Angeles, California. He has his post doctorate education and training in Functional Medicine and Clinical Nutrition. Dr. Cole consults in the Pittsburgh area and phone or webcam consultations for people around the world. He specializes in clinically investigating underlying factors and customizing health programs for chronic conditions such as thyroid issues, autoimmune, hormonal dysfunctions, digestive disorders, diabetes, heart disease and fibromyalgia. Visit www.drwillcole.com for more information and subscribe to his free monthly Future Health Newsletter to stay plugged in with healthy tips and recipes.

Fibromyalgia: 5 Underlying Causes

Fibromyalgia affects millions of people, with little to no help provided by mainstream medicine. This debilitating condition is known for symptoms such as chronic fatigue, depression, painful muscular points and sleep disorders. People struggling with fibromyalgia are typically given pain medication, antidepressants and are told to learn to cope with their symptoms. The problem is that a fibromyalgia diagnosis tells you the symptoms of the disease, not the underlying causes. Because of this, a diagnosis is a starting point, not an answer to your problems.

Functional medicine, on the other hand, looks to uncover the myriad underlying factors that cause chronic conditions like fibromyalgia. This process begins with running labs that typically aren't used in the conventional model, which is largely concerned with diagnosing a disease and matching it with a corresponding drug.
Functional medicine is also called "systems medicine" because it looks at all the different systems of your body and their complex interactions. Let's look at some of the systems I examine in my patients who are suffering with fibromyalgia:

1. Gut
The majority of your immune system resides in the sophisticated gastrointestinal system. The trillions of bacteria that live in your gut make up a delicate environment called the microbiome. When this system is thrown off balance, it can wreak havoc and cause or contribute to fibromyalgia symptoms. Many people struggling with fibromyalgia have unnoticed gut issues:

• Chronic yeast or fungal Infections, such as excess candida
• Bacterial infections or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Food intolerances
• Gut hyperpermeability (Leaky Gut)

These are some common conditions in the gut system that people with fibromyalgia have and they don't even know it. Addressing these issues is a piece of the puzzle to feeling like themselves again.
 
2. Detox
We're inundated with toxins every day. From our food, environment, cleaning and beauty products — toxins come at us from every direction, and they take a toll on our health. Our bodies are resilient and can handle a certain level of the toxic onslaught, but toxicity is another potential tipping point for fibromyalgia. Heavy metals such as mercury and lead, or mycotoxins from mold are some common things that I see with people dealing with fibromyalgia symptoms. We also need to look at your body's ability to get rid toxins. Impaired detoxification pathways and genetic weaknesses can make it extra difficult for some people to eliminate toxins properly. This toxic buildup can trigger fibromyalgia symptoms.

3. Hormonal
Our body communicates and operates with an intelligent system of hormones known as the endocrine system. When there is an imbalance, deficiency or dysregulation to your hormones, it may cause fibromyalgia symptoms. Adrenal fatigue, thyroid disorders, DHEA levels, estrogen and testosterone imbalances are some of the pieces of the puzzle to understanding fibromyalgia symptoms.

4. Nutrients
Not a true system in the conventional sense, but as a system within all systems, your body's nutrient levels are essential to understanding fibromyalgia. Deficiencies in magnesium, vitamin D, selenium and glutathione are all potential factors in the development of fibromyalgia.

5. Biomechanical
Your nervous system supplies energy to all other systems of your body! That's why you may hear your neck referred to as "the arc of life." Injuries to your neck or bad posture can bring a perpetual source of chronic inflammation and stress to your body's systems.
As you can see, you would be hard pressed to find a "magic pill" that dealt with all the underlying factors of fibromyalgia. A comprehensive health program that addresses all these issues should be customized for anyone struggling with fibromyalgia


Dr. William Cole, DC, graduated from Southern California University of Health Sciences in Los Angeles, California. He has his post doctorate education and training in Functional Medicine and Clinical Nutrition. Dr. Cole consults in the Pittsburgh area and phone or webcam consultations for people around the world. He specializes in clinically investigating underlying factors and customizing health programs for chronic conditions such as thyroid issues, autoimmune, hormonal dysfunctions, digestive disorders, diabetes, heart disease and fibromyalgia. Visit www.drwillcole.com for more information and subscribe to his free monthly Future Health Newsletter to stay plugged in with healthy tips and recipes.