Purpose of a gluten-free diet

People who have celiac disease need to follow a gluten-free diet for life to manage the condition. With celiac disease, eating gluten causes the immune system to mistakenly damage the small intestine over time.

People who have other conditions linked with gluten also may need to limit or stay away from gluten. Talk with your healthcare professional to find out what type of eating plan is right for you.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is a type of autoimmune condition. That means the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs. With celiac disease, gluten triggers an immune system reaction that damages the lining of the small intestine. This condition can cause digestive symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating and diarrhea. It also can lead to ongoing extreme tiredness, headaches, depression, and bone or joint pain. Over time, damage to the small intestine prevents this organ from absorbing nutrients in food.

Gluten intolerance

This condition also is known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It means that you don't have celiac disease, but you get some of the same symptoms after you eat gluten. Gluten intolerance does not cause the same type of damage to the small intestine as does celiac disease. A gluten intolerance might not even be caused by gluten itself. Carbohydrates called FODMAPs that are in some foods with gluten may play a role. But more research is needed. Still, a gluten-free diet seems to improve symptoms.

Gluten ataxia

This autoimmune condition sometimes happens along with celiac disease in those who eat gluten. Gluten ataxia affects some nerve tissues. It causes trouble controlling muscles that help you move around well and maintain balance or coordination. Research suggests that a gluten-free diet can help relieve gluten ataxia.

Wheat allergy

A wheat allergy happens when the immune system mistakes gluten or some other protein found in wheat for germs. The immune system reaction that follows may cause some of the same digestive symptoms as celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Sometimes a wheat allergy also can cause other symptoms such as itchy welts called hives.If you have a wheat allergy, you likely will benefit from gluten-free foods because they're not made with wheat. But you don't need to cut out other grains with gluten, such as barley and rye.

A gluten-free diet also is popular among people who don't have a gluten-related health condition. The claimed benefits of the diet are improved health, weight loss and more energy. But more research is needed.