3 Ways to Understand the Difference Between Gluten and Yeast

Gluten Intolerance

Gluten, which is the substance used to bind dough in many baked foods, may cause severe reactions in some people. Once diagnosed, a gluten-free diet is required to prevent damage to the intestines. Wheat, barley and rye contain gluten, as do many additives made from these products and included in many common foods, including some cheese. More series ailments, like celiac disease, can be diagnosed with a biopsy or blood test. You must understand that negative results from these tests do not mean you don't have gluten intolerance.

Yeast Allergy and Infections

While the symptoms of a yeast allergy or infection often mimic those of gluten intolerance or celiac disease, a different substance sets off these reactions. Yeast is a group of fungi that leavens bread and ferments alcohol. Besides avoiding yeast, you should also avoid all sugars. If you are suffering from adverse symptoms related to sugar consumption, you likely have a yeast infection or allergy. Although, in the case of allergies or chronic Candida infections, a true diagnosis may never occur. Usually, you must simply rule out all other causes to understand what is causing your symptoms.

Gluten and Yeast-free Diet

Since there is little difference between symptoms, most people choose to adopt a gluten and yeast-free diet instead of focusing on removing just one element. Some physicians believe that gluten intolerance underlies a yeast allergy. Since you are already avoiding bread and other baked products from wheat flours, as well as some alcohol on a gluten-free diet, it is not hard to also avoid yeast. To understand the difference between gluten and yeast intolerance, you must pay close attention to your symptoms and what causes them. After trying a gluten and yeast free diet for several months, add gluten back into your diet. If symptoms appear, then you have may have gluten intolerance.