What is gluten?

Gluten is the name for a group of proteins found in wheat, rye, barley, and triticale.

What is Non-Celiac Gluten or Wheat Sensitivity?

NCGS, NCWS, or NCGWS means someone is gluten and/or wheat sensitive. Gluten or wheat sensitivity can manifest symptoms anywhere in the body. It is not an autoimmune condition, though it may induce autoimmunity in some people long-term.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition caused by antibody production against gluten.

The Gluten-Wheat Relationship

Wheat, rye, barley, and triticale are grains that contain both gluten and non-gluten proteins.

Most people assume all gluten free foods are wheat free but this is not true.

It is possible to have food products made with wheat but not gluten OR gluten but not wheat. Alternatively a food product can contain both. This is possible because of how the industrial food system isolates food parts to serve specific functions in the manufacturing of food products.

What do gluten or wheat do in the body?

Wheat and gluten prompt an immune response in the body every time they are consumed, regardless of whether you are celiac, have NCGWS, or not. This increases zonulin in the intestines and inflammation throughout the body, regardless of whether symptoms are felt. The amount and degree of this response matters; overtime the greater the response, the worse the intestinal permeability and impact on other bodily functions can get.

Why does this matter?

Wheat and gluten prompt an immune response in the body every time they are consumed, regardless of whether you are celiac, have NCGWS, or not. This increases zonulin in the intestines and inflammation throughout the body, regardless of whether symptoms are felt. The amount and degree of this response matters; overtime the greater the response, the worse the intestinal permeability and impact on other bodily functions can get.

Undiagnosed gluten sensitivity occurs at 10x the rate as celiac disease. Gluten Acumen exists to help individuals learn if they're at risk for long term health issues and to improve their health from gluten and wheat induced health concerns.

Putting it all together

We are so glad there are cutting edge biomarkers (like on the test we offer) that lend insight into each unique body's reaction to gluten and wheat, so individuals can manage their diet in a way that suits their health goals.

Some doctors run a Celiac Panel but this doesn’t test for sensitivity. Sensitivity matters because gluten or wheat exposure doesn’t always create a symptom, but there may be processes silently degrading the body internally, speeding up the onset of disease.

Undiagnosed gluten sensitivity occurs at 10 times the rate as celiac disease. Knowing if your body reacts too strongly to wheat and/or gluten can help you reduce the risk of developing a gluten-induced autoimmune disease or celiac disease as you age.

Two women in a kitchen making cookies.

Ready for clarity?

Start feeling better consistently, improve elusive symptoms, and protect your longevity

Purchase a Test

"After nearly losing a year of school time, I went down a rabbit hole to get my health back. I have since taken a lot of functional medicine tests and learned a lot. This test showed me I do have severe gluten sensitivity, but the thing I want to say here is that this test goes deep like others don't. I'm impressed and so glad to know with such fine detail how to change my diet as one tool to avoid more bedridden days." - Jesse