What is the Difference Between Gluten Free and Celiac?

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The main difference between gluten-free and celiac lies in the severity of the condition and the treatment required.

Celiac Disease:

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where consuming gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, causing malabsorption of nutrients and various symptoms.
People with celiac disease must avoid gluten completely for their entire life.
The treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet.
Symptoms can include diarrhea, bloating, stomach pain, and fatigue.
Diagnosis requires medical tests, such as blood tests and biopsies of the small intestine.

Gluten Intolerance or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS):

Gluten intolerance is a sensitivity to gluten, causing short-term gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating and abdominal pain.
People with NCGS may see symptom improvement by simply reducing gluten and carbohydrate intake.
The treatment for NCGS is often a gluten-free diet, but it is less strict than for celiac disease.
Symptoms can include diarrhea, bloating, stomach ache, fatigue, headache, brain fog, and joint pain.
Diagnosis is usually based on a patient's symptoms and response to a gluten-free diet, as tests for celiac disease and wheat allergy are typically negative.

In summary, celiac disease is a more severe condition where the immune system attacks the body's own tissue, while gluten intolerance is a sensitivity to gluten causing temporary gastrointestinal symptoms. People with celiac disease must completely avoid gluten, while those with NCGS may only need to reduce gluten consumption or follow a less strict gluten-free diet. Both conditions typically involve a gluten-free diet as a treatment plan.