Other intolerances that have surfaced since gluten free

pdworkman

The explanation I have heard - and again, I have no expertise in this area, just repeating what I have been told - is that the gluten molecules are too large to be absorbed through the skin. Other molecules that are smaller can be absorbed through the skin.

This may, or may not be true, I'm certainly not going to swear by it, and I avoid wheat products in anything I put on my skin.

In my humble opinion, the idea that you can't absorb gluten through the skin is a very closed-minded view. Can your skin absorb water? How about toxic chemicals through the skin? How about topical medications and lotions? Skin is not an iron-clad barrier...it is a porous barrier and should be considered as such.

monicalosesweight

Hmm. I don't know if it actually has to be absorbed through the skin to cause an external reaction. Wouldn't just the simple contact on the surface be enough? I'm not scientist but I'd be curious about that one.

pdworkman

Trying to find some sources that don't just say "I've heard" or anecdotal evidence:

"Update from Dr. Wechsler: Based on the research I’ve seen, the gluten molecule is too big to pass transdermally. It may be absorbed through mucous membranes (inside the mouth, nose, etc) but not through skin. Most skin care products do not contain gluten, and if they are used properly (i.e. on the skin and not on or in a mucous membrane or wound) they should not cause problems. Separately, people who have wheat allergies should not apply products with wheat to their skin, as they could develop a local contact dermatitis. If labels are unclear with regard to exact ingredients, that should be addressed so that consumers can feel fully comfortable with their product choices.


One of only two physicians in the U.S. board-certified in both dermatology and psychiatry, Dr. Amy Wechsler understands not only patients’ emotional states, but also the impact they can have on the outer surface. A specialist in the fundamental connection between the mind and body, Dr. Wechsler literally wrote the book on the subject. A frequent contributor to nationally recognized television programs and magazines, she has a private practice in New York."


http://www.style.com/beauty/beautycounter/2011/12/gluten-free-beauty-have-we-gone-too-far/


"Most celiac experts will admit that while medicine tells them that the gluten protein is too large to be absorbed by the skin, their patients are telling them otherwise. And those same doctors are paying attention. In a recent article for Living Without Magazine, renowned celiac expert Dr. Alessio Fasano confirmed the existence of gluten intolerance and sensitivity saying, “The patients, as usual, were visionary, telling us this stuff existed but healthcare professionals were skeptical.” So I would say, “Hold tight!” The medical community is still playing catch up, but they are getting there."

http://blog.julesglutenfree.com/2011/11/gluten-in-cosmetics/

"However, many are still confused if this means avoidance of gluten in their bath and beauty products. Some experts say the protein in gluten is too large to permeate the skin and be absorbed. However, at this time, there are no studies on the affects of topical gluten exposure, and according to Kenneth Fine, M.D. of Enterolabs, "Gluten sensitivity is a systemic immune reaction to gluten anywhere in the body, not just that entering the body via the gut. Therefore, topically applied lotions, creams, shampoos, etc. containing gluten would indeed provide a source of gluten to the body, and we therefore recommend all such products be discontinued for optimal health.""

http://www.insidecosmeceuticals.com/articles/2009/06/gluten-free-inside-and-out.aspx

monicalosesweight

"...at this time, there are no studies on the affects of topical gluten exposure, and according to Kenneth Fine, M.D. of Enterolabs, "Gluten sensitivity is a systemic immune reaction to gluten anywhere in the body, not just that entering the body via the gut. Therefore, topically applied lotions, creams, shampoos, etc. containing gluten would indeed provide a source of gluten to the body, and we therefore recommend all such products be discontinued for optimal health.""

http://www.insidecosmeceuticals.com/articles/2009/06/gluten-free-inside-and-out.aspx

That's pretty interesting. I'm surprised there are no major studies on that one. I've always wondered about it. There seem to be a lot of shampoos where they keep adding wheat protein. I even emailed one company and suggested they modify the product to make it gluten free as I was afraid the wheat was why it wasn't helping me 100% with the issue it was supposed to correct. Hmmm.

monicalosesweight

Iodized salt. Iodine is corn based.
Unless granulated sugar states its cane or beet, the source is likely corn.

I knew about the sugar one. One of the versions of Xylitol that's out there is made from corn - not the birch tree. If you don't have dogs and use that sweetener, make sure it's the Birch one. I'd be worried about the corn sensitivity.

I had no idea about salt. Really? It's corn based?

restoreleanne

I alway use dove mainly gluten free now some Kirkland now said it right on the bottle
what to look for on for lotion, shampoos, etc.

BARLEY DERIVED INGREDIENTS

AMINO PEPTIDE COMPLEX
BARLEY EXTRACT
HORDEUM VULGARE EXTRACT
PHYTOSPHINGOSINE EXTRACT

WHEAT DERIVED INGREDIENTS

AMP-ISOSTEAROYL HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN
DISODIUM WHEATGERMAMIDO PEG-2 SULFOSUCCINATE
HYDROLYZED WHEAT GLUTEN
HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN
HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN PG-PROPYL SILANETRIOL
HYDROLYZED WHEAT STARCH
HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN
STEARYLDIMONIUMHYDROXYPROPYL HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN
WHEAT AMINO ACIDS
WHEAT BRAN EXTRACT
WHEAT GERM EXTRACT
WHEAT GERM GLYCERIDES
WHEAT GERM OIL
WHEAT GERMAMIDOPROPYLDIMONIUM HYDROXYPROPYL HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN
WHEAT PROTEIN
WHEAT (TRITICUM VULGARE) BRAN EXTRACT
TRITICUM VULGARE FLOUR LIPIDS
TRITICUM VULGARE GERM EXTRACT
TRITICUM VULGARE GERM OIL

monicalosesweight

Sigh. I feel like I have to create a cheat sheet to carry around with me.

jus_in_bello

Additional intolerance are sometimes temporary as your body heals from gluten. I couldn't eat eggs or dairy for a year, now I'm fine, but body just needed to repair so it could properly digest them again. However, sometimes going GF allows your body to show symptoms for other intolerances, ask your doctor about maybe doing an elimination diet and see if that helps. I really would suggest just going without some things for a few months and then try it again if it doesn't take in a year then I'd accept it, but a year isn't that long to go without.

Regarding skin contact, I know I can't handle flour, breathing it in makes me sick and that's my issue, as for touching. I know some people have a skin reaction to wheat/gluten so there is always that. I don't know that it can be absorbed through the skin but having it on your skin is going to cause issues.

restoreleanne

I don't think about my skin absorbing it as much as I think about thing I eat or may touch. Like Lipstick or lotion on my hands thing like that.

eireannyoung

Yes! I think part of it is that in the process of becoming gluten-free, you become more aware of how every food affects your body. You might have had those intolerances all your life, yet not noticed them until you cleared out the big one. Also, certain types of physical or psychological trauma can change your body's tolerance to certain foods. Allergies can also develop at any time in your life.

The other intolerances I have are: lactose, yeast, other grains, and high amounts of fructose. Lactose intolerance started happening right after I last got gluttoned (in June).

The other intolerances happened soon after I experienced a neurological trauma earlier this year. I feel that the trauma is what gave me Celiac disease and a host of other intolerances, but I'd been gluten-free before then.

eireannyoung

Guess I should add that lactose intolerance is the only one that gives me digestive problems. The rest of them cause depression and anxiety ranging from mild-moderate to severe.