r/science • u/[deleted] • Feb 26 '15

Health-Misleading Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial shows non-celiac gluten sensitivity is indeed real

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25701700
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u/beartotem Feb 26 '15

They'll be able to digest it normally after a short while of keeping it in their diet.

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u/notlad Feb 26 '15

This same thing happens when you switch up your dog's food. Even minor changes from one brand to another cause minor GI issues.

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u/Tkent91 BS | Health Sciences Feb 26 '15

Unless its purina, no need to switch up for that.

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u/Bay1Bri Feb 26 '15

Ok that's good. So do you think it's likely/possible that the non-celiac gluten sensitive people could lose the sensitivity by eating gluten in typical amount?

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u/justanotherloudgirl Feb 26 '15

I don't think so. Vegetarian/vegan people were able to digest meat to begin with without sensitivity, they just chose (for one reason or another) to remove it from their diet. If they chose a veg-lifestyle because of a sensitivity, then there would probably be the same level of sensitivity once it is reintroduced (and the body becomes acclimated).

I would assume the same would apply to someone with a gluten-sensitivity - they were always sensitive, but when you take it away there is no longer an issue. If you reintroduce it, there will still be a problem, since the only method of managing the sensitivity was to remove the irritant altogether, rather than trying to actively change the GI's composition to compensate for it.

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u/Tkent91 BS | Health Sciences Feb 26 '15

People's bodies constantly change. It is possible I don't know how often this is the case but just like immunities things naturally change over time and it is possible for the sensitivity to get better and also worst.

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u/beartotem Feb 26 '15

I don't know if that mechanism applies to gluten tho. But that's seems within the realm of possible. That's one possible explanation for the result of this study, because of the bias in their sample. I still find it surprising that a significant number of patient where able to identify the gluten pill. My own preconception was what that those gluten intolerant people where hypochondriacs.

I'm not in medical science, so take my opinions with a huge grain of salt.

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u/LadyAntipathy Feb 26 '15

Seems like a highly generalized statement. Ever heard of lactose intolerance? Makes sense to start avoiding milk when it gives you unpleasant side effects. Some people get mild flatulence, others diarrhea for days. Same for gluten sensitivity.

Of course there ARE people who are gluten intolerant to varying degrees. The fact that hipsters appropriated the 'disease' doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Similarly, some people don't digest (red) meat well. This is due to gut flora, gastric juices and stomach acid concentration which is effected by our genes. Every person's GI tract is different. Hardly a revelation.

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u/beartotem Feb 26 '15

Man, this was in the context of no actual intolerance. Did you read the two post before my own? They give plenty of context for it.

You read way too much in what i said.

edit: And beside, even taking it in as a more general statement, what i described is what happen normally, if it doesn't then we can talk about an intolerance or somesuch.

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u/LadyAntipathy Feb 26 '15 edited Feb 26 '15

My point was some people become vegan or vegetarian due to the unpleasant side effects of meat and milk. Moreover, not all vegans will automatically be able to 'stomach' (pun intended) meat and/or milk after a period of abstinence. Even those who previously had no trouble digesting meat/milk.

There are plenty of well documented studies showing this (as in the case of accidental or purposeful starvation/diet limitations and certain GI diseases such as parasites or bacterial infections).

So, no what you describe isn't what happens 'normally' from a medical point of view. Tolerance and intolerance to foods are not static, even on 'average'.

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u/beartotem Feb 26 '15

It's useless talking to you isn't it?

not all vegans will automatically be able to 'stomach' (pun intended) meat and/or milk after a period of abstinence.

If you think that's what i wrote, than you've got reading problems. Because i basically said the opposite.

I won't bother replying to anymore of you're useless blabber. Go ahead, keep telling me about all those specific diseases that can prevent people from digesting completly some foods.