Is it Coeliac Disease or Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity?

Coeliac disease and Non Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) are two terms that you hear a lot, but do you know the differences? Not many people do but there is a big difference. If you suffer have considered removing gluten then its important that you understand the difference bweten the 2 term. Starting with the basics- Gluten is a protein naturally found in wheat, rye and barley, as well as in products made from these grains.

NCGS is a term which describes individuals who cannot tolerate gluten and experience symptoms similar to those with celiac disease but they don’t have the immune response seen in coeliac patients. Symptoms of NCGS include digestive issues like bloating and changed bowel movements as well as non digestive symptoms such as headaches, “foggy mind,” and possible joint pain and general inflammation.

So while it all sounds very similar there is still a big difference between coeliac disease and NCGS. Coeliac disease causes the immune system to react to gluten abnormally, resulting in damage to the gastrointestinal tract, in particular the intestine. Villi (tiny finger like projections in the bowel) become inflamed and flattened when a coeliac patient consumes gluten. This impacts the bodies ability to absorb nutrients and causes digestive issues and poor nutritional status (ie iron deficiencies). If the consumption of gluten continues on a regular basis then the villi will stay flattened and many other health conditions can occur, especially other auto-immune conditions.

NCGS is essentially a less damaging form of coeliac disease. If coeliac patients have any amount of gluten, no matter how small, their immune system is activated and damage begins to occur. This doesn't happen with NCGS people, instead they will experience symptoms and inflammation while the gluten is being processed through the body but once the gluten is out things settle down relatively fast.

Coeliac disease and NCGS can be hard to diagnose, especially if the symptoms being expressed aren't digestive in nature. It is estimated that around 1% of the population has coeliac disease but the majority of that 1% are not diagnosed.

Not much is clinically known about NCGS as it is a relatively new phenomenon. Currently there is no tests for NCGS, if a coeliac test comes back negative but symptoms are persisting since having gluten and/or removal of gluten clears symptoms then this is when NCGS will be considered.

More research is needed to learn more about the differences between coeliac disease and NCGS, but in the mean time, if you have had a negative coeliac tests but you feel better off gluten, then listen to your body.