The Truth About Gluten

The Truth About Gluten: Maybe It’s Not the Real Problem

For years, gluten has been labeled the ultimate dietary villain — blamed for everything from bloating and fatigue to brain fog and mood swings. Walk down any grocery aisle and you’ll see “gluten-free” stamped on everything from crackers to ketchup.

But what if gluten isn’t the real issue for most people?

New research published in The Lancet is turning this idea on its head, revealing that for many, the real culprit may not be gluten at all — but rather gut-brain communication issues.

What the Research Shows

Researchers looked at 58 studies on non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) — people who react to foods containing gluten but test negative for celiac disease.

What they found was eye-opening:

✅ In blinded studies, many people’s symptoms disappeared even when they unknowingly ate gluten.

✅ Most participants were actually reacting to FODMAPs — fermentable carbohydrates found in foods like wheat, dairy, beans, apples, and onions.

✅ Others showed signs of gut-brain communication issues, where stress, inflammation, or nervous system imbalance triggers digestive symptoms that mimic food sensitivities

.✅ Only a small percentage of people had a genuine gluten-specific reaction.

In other words, for many people, gluten may be innocent — and the real issue is how the body is processing food and stress together.

Understanding FODMAPs & the Gut-Brain Connection

FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Monosaccharides, and Polyols) are natural carbohydrates that can be difficult to digest. When they reach the large intestine, they ferment — causing gas, bloating, and discomfort.

But here’s the deeper layer:

Your gut and brain are in constant communication. When the nervous system is in a state of chronic stress (fight-or-flight), digestion slows down, enzymes decrease, and intestinal permeability increases. That means even harmless foods can trigger inflammation, discomfort, and hormonal imbalance.What feels like “gluten intolerance” may actually be a stress response + gut imbalance.

The Root Cause Connection

At Your Healthy Concepts, we see this pattern often. Many clients who believe they’re gluten-sensitive are actually dealing with:

• Gut microbiome imbalance (dysbiosis)

• Low stomach acid or enzyme deficiency

• Leaky gut and immune reactivity

• Estrogen dominance (since gut health impacts hormone clearance)

• Chronic stress that impairs digestion and immune tolerance

It’s not just about removing foods — it’s about restoring function.

When we repair the gut lining, rebalance the microbiome, and regulate the nervous system, food sensitivities often calm down naturally.

What You Can Do

If you struggle with digestive issues but your celiac tests are negative, here are some steps to explore:

1️⃣ Try a low-FODMAP trial, not necessarily gluten-free.

2️⃣ Support gut repair with nutrients like glutamine, zinc carnosine, and probiotics.

3️⃣ Manage stress and sleep — your vagus nerve controls digestion more than you think.

4️⃣ Test, don’t guess — food sensitivity, microbiome, or genetic testing can reveal what’s really going on.

5️⃣ Reintroduce foods slowly once balance is restored to avoid unnecessary restriction.

Looking Deeper: The Root Cause Approach

We don’t chase symptoms — we look for what’s driving them. Whether it’s hormones, genetics, gut health, or chronic inflammation, every imbalance has a story. When you understand the why, true healing becomes possible.That’s what Root Cause Coaching is all about — uncovering the connections your body is trying to show you and creating a clear, personalized path back to balance.

Root Cause Takeaway

Your symptoms are never random — they’re messages from your body asking for deeper understanding. Whether it’s hormones, gut health, inflammation, or fatigue, there’s always a root cause behind how you feel.

If you’ve been chasing symptoms or guessing at solutions, it’s time to stop guessing and start knowing.Together, we’ll uncover what your body is really trying to tell you — so you can heal with clarity and confidence.

✨ Book a Free Discovery Call with CamiCall or text (214) 558-0996 or schedule online at www.YourHealthyConcepts.com