Gluten allergy

Gluten allergy is one of the most common food intolerances. It is estimated that as many as 6–8% of the population may be affected by this condition. Gluten allergy occurs in both children and adults and may present with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, a watery runny nose, or skin changes. Gluten allergy and coeliac disease are two different conditions, although the triggering factor is the same in both cases.

Gluten is a type of protein found in cereals. Eliminating it from the diet is not limited solely to giving up bread or pasta. Gluten may also be present in processed meats, ready-made foods, chocolate, and spices. For this reason, it is important to read product ingredients carefully. For many people, products containing trace amounts of gluten are also a matter of concern. Whether they can be consumed depends on the individual sensitivity of the patient, because for some people they will not cause any symptoms, while for others they may be harmful. 

A gluten-free diet should not be introduced independently without consultation with a specialist and appropriate testing. First and foremost, it is necessary to determine whether gluten is in fact the cause of the digestive complaints and what type of condition is responsible for them. An elimination diet based on excluding gluten may initially be difficult for many people. Grain products – including bread – are a fundamental part of everyday nutrition for many individuals. People with gluten allergy should definitely not base their diet on highly processed gluten-free products, because such foods are usually very poor in valuable nutrients. A dietitian will develop an individual nutrition programme composed on the basis of healthy and wholesome products. During a consultation with a specialist at our Clinic, you will also learn which products to avoid and which are worth introducing into your diet. 

In many patients, thanks to the introduction of an appropriate diet, gluten allergy subsides over time or its symptoms become milder. It is therefore worth undertaking appropriate treatment, because ignoring the problem may lead to serious consequences.