Gluten sensitivity is very similar to celiac disease. They
are both genetic conditions, they both are known to affect most systems of the
body, and both require a lifelong gluten-free diet.
The estimation of incidence of gluten sensitivity is much
higher than celiac disease - 10% of the population. This is new research in an
area that is in its infancy. Personally I feel that the incidence is likely much
higher, perhaps up to 30% or more of the population. This personal estimate is
based on my clinical experience and it is shared by others in the field. But I
am not a researcher.
There is some thought that gluten sensitivity is less
serious than celiac disease. This is not true. Both conditions can shorten life
expectancy and create hundreds of different symptoms and conditions. Celiac
disease is, in itself, an autoimmune disease and gluten sensitivity is not. Some
extrapolate this to mean that gluten sensitivity cannot be a causative factor in
creating autoimmune disease. I have not found this to be the case. In fact we
have, here at the clinic, seen amazing improvements and sometimes reversals, of
autoimmune diseases in patients who were gluten sensitive but who did not suffer
from celiac disease. Once again this is my clinical experience, there is not
much if any research in this area.
