Diets for Cancer Patients -

A comprehensive review of anti-cancer diets

It is rare to find a critique of trending anti-cancer diets.

On this page Grace Gawler, a pioneer of lifestyle and complementary medicine for cancer patients, with 47 years cancer experience, reviews dietary approaches popularised on the internet.

This page provides an invaluable resource for patients lost in the cancer diet maze.
For patients who wish to personalise their diet we offer gene testing analysis

Topics discussed on this page

Scroll page for information about:

Functional fermented foods in your diet
Culinary Medicinal Mushrooms.
Ketogenic & Paleo Diets for Cancer Patients:
Mediterranean Diets for Cancer Patients:
Vegan and Plant Based Diets for Cancer Patients:
The Alkaline Diet for Cancer Patients
Excessive use of raw kale & raw greens in smoothies and salads.
Diets that mimic fasting, the 5:2 diet for Cancer Patients:
Gerson Diets for Cancer Patients:
Liver Cleansing Diets and botanicals for improving liver function
Lactose Intolerance:
Gluten intolerance: Are you diagnosed Coeliac?Gene Analysis can personalise your approach to nutrition – click here

Functional Foods

Cancer patients will benefit from functional fermented foods in their diet. GG recommends. Here’s Why

The term Functional Foods first emerged in Japan in the early 1980s, but Japan has been a leader in fermented foods for centuries. Rather than a supplement, functional food ferments need to be prioritised as part of a healthy diet for cancer patients. Functional foods can be in the form of yogurt, kefir, Kimchi, sauerkraut etc – however when most patients begin to add these foods to their diet surprisingly, they suffer intestinal discomfort, gas bloating and sometimes nausea. Why?

Although fermented foods provide the substrate for healthy gut microbiomes (bacteria); many people have diminished numbers of their resident gut bacteria due to diet and lifestyle factors, so their ability to utilise and benefit from fermented foods is also diminished. Gas formation and irritable gut can therefore result. When resident bacteria are restored in the gut patients report being able to eat and benefit from their fermented foods.

Functional Food Ferments that promote growth of your own resident gut bacteria represent a breakthrough in Japanese technology.

LACTIS lactobacillus extract can help you…

*At the time of diagnosis
*During cancer Treatment
*After cancer Treatment

Often cancer patients have a ‘waiting period’ after diagnosis – the time before treatments begin. This ‘waiting period’ is often a time filled with high anxiety and foreboding of the impending impact of cancer treatments. This is therefore the ideal time to work on the health of your gut microbiome.

Gut Health and Immunity for Cancer Patients

The evidence is gaining momentum suggesting that modulating the gut microbiome may affect responses to numerous forms of cancer therapy.

Indeed the microbiome is receiving significant attention given its well researched influence on a host of human diseases; IBS, gastro-intestinal and bowel cancer, bowel polyps associated with colo-rectal cancer and other conditions.

A working knowledge of the microbiome is vital as we move forward in this age of precision medicine, and an understanding of the microbiome in cancer is crucial… LACTIS and it’s more concentrated sister product CHITSU (for Chitsu; please contact Grace via the contact page) are leading the charge in a new generation of microbiome focused oncology medicine.

Medicinal Mushrooms

Adding Culinary Medicinal Mushrooms to your diet.
GGI recommends. Here’s Why:

Hippocrates said “Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food”. One special variety of foods that will benefit you as a cancer patient as a regular part of your diet; culinary medicinal mushrooms.

Edible mushrooms are a valuable source of biologically active compounds. Studies indicate that the edible oyster mushroom has potential therapeutic/preventive effects on breast and colon cancer.

The humble oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is one of the most widely cultivated edible mushrooms and several properties have been associated with its health benefits and as a value add food for cancer patients.

These mushrooms can be bought fresh or even better grow your own!

Studied benefits of oyster mushroom:

The medicinal properties of Pleurotus species have been extensively studied by researchers around the globe and of course, intensively studied throughout Asia. As a result of this extensive research we now know that Pleurotus species offer the following benefits/properties: antitumor, immunomodulating, antiviral, antibacterial, antigenotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, Hypo-cholesterolaemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-inociceptive ( action or process of blocking the detection of a painful or injurious stimulus by sensory neurons), anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-platelet-aggregating, anti-hepatoma, anti-proliferative and anti-atherosclerotic. An impressive list!

Including Oyster mushrooms in your daily diet ( in small amounts) can be a value add to any health restoration program.

Remember when your food is your medicine – it is not a quick fix. It can take many months to see and measure physiological benefits however subtle benefits are likely. Regular consumption of Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) can value add to altering tumour micro-environment.

There are many other varieties of medicinal mushrooms – some you can also grow in your kitchen!

Sensibility used oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) as a part of your daily/weekly diet also support one of Hippocrates other famous statements – “Above all – Do no Harm”!

They are delicious and have wide variety of uses in cooking.

Ketogenic and Paleo Diets

Ketogenic & Paleo Diets for Cancer Patients:

GGI does not recommend: Here’s Why:

The rationale for ketogenic diets is based on the myth that sugars feeds cancer. There are established differences in glucose metabolism between cancer cells and normal cells. However, sugars made from metabolising carbs, feed all our cells including all important gut bacteria and yes, cancer cells use sugar to metabolise. But it is not that simple.

Starve the body of essential nutrients, including sugars as fuel; and there will be severe consequences.

Background: The Ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. It has been used as a treatment for epilepsy since 1921.

The keto diet aims to force your body into using a different type of fuel. Instead of relying on sugar (glucose) that comes from carbohydrates (such as grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits), the keto diet relies on ketone bodies, a type of fuel that the liver produces from stored fat.

Getting the liver to make ketone bodies is tricky and requires that you deprive yourself of carbohydrates, fewer than 20 to 50 grams of carbs per day (keep in mind that a medium-sized banana has about 27 grams of carbs).

Fat Quality: Some healthy unsaturated fats are allowed on the keto diet — like nuts (almonds, walnuts), seeds, avocados, tofu, and olive oil. But saturated fats from oils (palm, coconut), lard, butter, and cocoa butter are encouraged in high amounts.

A ketogenic diet has numerous risks-especially for cancer patients.

It’s high in saturated fat. Ideally keep saturated fats to no more than 7% of your daily calories because of the link to heart disease and is associated with an increase in “bad” LDL cholesterol, which is linked to heart disease.

Other potential keto risks include these:

Nutrient deficiency. If you are not eating a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and grains, you may be at risk for deficiencies in micronutrients, including selenium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins B and C.
Those deficiencies extend to Gut bacteria (microbiomes) who are genetically programmed for their resident nutritional needs. When Diets change radically, gut bacteria suffer and diminish in volume leading to a range of metabolic disturbances and health problems – including cancer and other inflammatory conditions.
Liver problems. With so much fat to metabolize, the diet could make any existing liver conditions worse and even overload a healthy liver – particularly if on cancer treatments.
Kidney problems. The kidneys help metabolize protein and the keto diet may overload them. I have seen patients who cannot have cancer treatments that would extend their lives because they have poor kidney function due to consuming a ketogenic diet beyond 3 months.
Constipation The keto diet is low in fibrous foods like grains and legumes and slows bowel transit time. This affect is also connected with diminish numbers of resident gut bacteria.
Fuzzy thinking and mood swings. The brain needs sugar from healthy carbohydrates to function. Low-carb diets may cause confusion and irritability.

Mediterranean Diet

Mediterranean Diets for Cancer Patients:
GGI recommends this diet. Here’ Why:

The Mediterranean diet is associated with lower risk of cancer, especially cancers of the breast and colon. The mechanisms responsible for these effects include reductions in inflammation, oxidative damage, metabolic syndrome, and weight. It consists primarily of fish, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, potatoes, fruits, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), moderate amounts of wine, and small amounts of red meat.

It limits processed foods and refined sugar. Achieving this dietary pattern is a simple and attainable goal. Certain food preparation techniques can improve the bioavailability of important nutrients in the Mediterranean diet. Observational and clinical studies show the Mediterranean diet is effective for primary and possibly secondary prevention of cancer. https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2017-05/mediterranean-diet-cancer-prevention

Vegan and Plant Based Diets

Vegan and Plant Based Diets for Cancer Patients:
GGI does not recommend this diet. Here’s Why:

In recent media attention has focussed on the benefits of vegan diets. Very few have focussed on the health problems associated with vegan diets – short and long term. As well there have been misleading /inaccurate published stories, including in some medical journals; about vegan diets being a part of cancer cures. A short term vegan diet using “real foods”; not heavily processed vegan foods may initially help cancer patients who have not had ideal diets in the past – and then only recommended for a period of no more than one month. But even with just one month there is still a caution.

Undue weight loss is always the first issue that arises and is to be avoided at all costs, but significant nutrition problems await. Many patients who approach me have experienced dire consequences following the advice of practitioners who recommended they consume a vegan diet.

By Flic Everett: “A couple of years ago, veganism was booming. I was ‘an expert’ editing a glossy vegan food magazine.

Every day brought more plant-based product launches and glowing Instagram stars proffering raw Buddha bowls.

I had gone vegan in the summer of 2016, aged 45. After years as a vegetarian with an abiding love for animals, it seemed ridiculous to keep eating eggs and dairy when alternatives made from soy, pea protein and lentils were suddenly available. I had constant access to health information and a cabinet rattling with supplements.

What I didn’t have, unfortunately, was any understanding of how veganism would affect my health.”

“Despite reading glowing reports from other vegans of how their energy had increased, I was tired for hours every day. My hair was dry and brittle. My gums bled, I caught colds and felt low much of the time.”

“It took two years of inexplicable skin rashes and pain before I was diagnosed with a severe nickel allergy – a mineral in abundant supply in soy, pulses, beans and wholegrains. My entire diet, effectively. I had no idea that nickel allergy existed, but the dietitian I was finally assigned told me that she was seeing increasing numbers of patients developing it after turning vegan.”

“Despite my moral reservations, the specialist told me that I had to stop being vegan. I braved a piece of fish, and was amazed by its deliciousness. I introduced prawns, salmon, tuna and mackerel to my diet, along with eggs and cheese.”

“Within a few days, my low mood lifted and my energy returned. I felt like taking long walks again, and over the months my hair was thicker, and my skin less rash-prone, too. Most importantly, I slept better.” Acknowledgements to Flic Everett and the SMH – read full article

The Alkaline Diet

The Alkaline Diet for Cancer Patients – is based on poor science. GGI does not recommend. Here’s Why:

The alkaline diet is falsely based on the idea that replacing acid-forming foods with alkaline foods can improve your health and fight cancer, but its claims aren’t backed by science. Food affects the pH of your urine, but not your blood. In fact it’s critical for your health that the pH of your blood remains constant. Your body tightly regulates blood pH levels. In healthy people, diet doesn’t significantly affect blood pH, but it can change urine pH. And while tumours grow faster in acidic environments, tumours create this acidity themselves. It is not the acidic environment that creates cancer cells, but cancer cells that create the acidic environment.

Thus there is no link between an acid-forming diet and cancer. Cancer cells also grow in alkaline environments.

The video (above right) explains the science of why you should not to use baking soda or alkaline water for cancer (or other healing despite) what some people claim. A very educational and eye opening interview with Markus Rothkranz interviewing medical expert James Sloane, who explains the truth about acids and alkaline substances and how they affect our bodies.

Raw foods and cancer patients

Excessive use of raw kale & raw greens in smoothies and salads. GGI does not recommend. Here’s Why?
Cancer patients: Did you know that all those raw greens you are consuming in the name of improving your health could actually be causing you more harm than good?

STONES & INTESTINAL UPSET: Obsession with lot of raw leafy greens can lead to bloated bellies/intestinal gas, thyroid problems (many contain goitrogens) and even Kidney and other stones can form in tonsils, salivary glands and other body parts. Ingesting quantities of raw kale causes your thyroid gland to enlarge by interfering with thyroid hormone synthesis; called hypothyroidism or under-active thyroid.

OXALIC ACID – Many leafy greens are high in naturally occurring oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is a toxin made from a mixture of fungus and yeast and can cause lots of problems, such as gout, kidney stones and muscle pains. Consuming a large volume of raw greens regularly mean that oxalic acid can accumulate in your tissues. It is not excreted easily especially if large volumes are consumed. Oxalates should leave your body through your urine. If your oxalate levels are too high, the extra oxalate can combine with calcium to form kidney stones.

ALKALINITY & DIGESTIBILITY: The wide media promotion of raw greens has a strong relationship with the media promotion of the alkaline diet. (refer to alkaline diets on this webpage for more info). The theme common to ‘promotors’ is always ‘more is better for you’ in forms of juices, smoothies & enormous salads (more fit for a cow than a human gut). There is a reason that cows have a stomach with 3 extra compartments. If an animal/ruminant does not have the multi-chambered stomach of a cow and ate the same diet (excessive greens) – they would starve or suffer malnutrition long term.

WHY? Because they do not possess the types of microbes nor the fermentation capability or capacity that cows and other ruminants have in order to thrive on a 100% plant-based diet! In addition, raw kale, just like broccoli and cabbage contains a type of sugar called raffinose, which is hard for the human stomach to break down.

The message is clear for humans!

In reference to the above information; it is unfortunate that cancer recovery just became more complex. Many cancer patients have fallen prey to misinformation about the benefits of excessive quantities of kale, raw spinach and other raw vegetables from the brassica family.

All the ingredients that go in your “so called healthy” smoothies, that you could never consume if they were not mashed into a green cocktail, are likely causing harm.

Eating raw greens, especially kale in mass quantities in juices, smoothies and in salad bowls, as most cancer patients and healthy people are doing these days, makes for a cocktail of health problems that the doctors may confuse with side effects of cancer treatments. As well excessive use of raw greens in combination with chemotherapy may create a metabolic nightmare and unknown consequences.

The message – all things in moderation!

Italians have always eaten kale – but always cooked – called Cavalo Nero, but note, the amount used is small per serve (a handful per serve). Kale can be steamed – do not consume the steaming water as it will be high in oxalic acid. When kale is steamed – drain and toss in a pan with olive oil herbs and garlic. Eat no more than twice per week – if you have medical conditions as outlined above – Avoid kale completely!

Diets that mimic fasting - the 5:2 diet

Diets that mimic fasting, the 5:2 diet for Cancer Patients:
GGI recommends: Here’s Why:

The 5:2 diet is safe for most cancer patients unless serious weight loss is already an issue.

A USC-led team of scientists has found that a fasting-mimicking diet combined with hormone therapy, has the potential to help treat breast cancer. Studies on mice and in two small breast cancer clinical trials, researchers at USC and the IFOM Cancer Institute in Milan, in collaboration with the University of Genova, found that the fasting-mimicking diet reduces blood insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and leptin. In mice, these effects appear to increase the power of the cancer hormone drugs Tamoxifen and Fulvestrant and delay any resistance to them.

A new study suggests that a fasting-mimicking diet together with endocrine therapy for breast cancer has the potential to not only shrink tumours but also reverse resistant tumours in mice,” said Valter Longo, the study’s co-senior author and the director of the Longevity Institute at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and professor of biological sciences at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. “We have data that for the first time suggests that a fasting-mimicking diet works by changing at least three different factors: IGF1, leptin and insulin.”

“Some patients followed monthly cycles of the fasting-mimicking diet for almost two years without any problems, suggesting that it is a well-tolerated intervention,” Nencioni said. “We hope this means that this nutritional program that mimics fasting could one day represent a weapon to better fight cancer in patients receiving hormone therapy without serious side effects. These clinical studies we have just published — together with the many animal studies published in the past 12 years, suggest that cycles of the fasting-mimicking diet has the potential to make standard therapy more effective against different cancers, each time by changing a different factor or nutrient important for cancer cell survival.”

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200721132735.htm

The 5-2 diet – popularized by British journalist Michael Mosley is a fasting-mimicking diet and is called the 5:2 diet because five days of the week are normal eating days, while the other two restrict calories to 500–600 per day. The lower calorie days can be separated into different days rather that 2 low calorie days in succession. This way eating can be highly personalised for patient specific need and can be nicely combined with any chemotherapy and hormone regimens. The concept is based upon quantity/type of food and timing of eating – which in turn is based upon circadian rhythms”. More at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/the-5-2-diet-guide#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2

This general way of eating may help many people including those with cancer,

The Gerson Diet

Gerson Diets for Cancer Patients:
GGI does not recommend. Here’s Why: In recent years, Jess Ainscough, AKA the ‘Wellness Warrior gained much publicity promoting the Gerson Diet. Diagnosed with cancer; epithelial sarcoma at just 22, she died aged 30 but by then had become an big ‘influencer’ to the cancer community. Her promotion of the Gerson Diet on You Tube, blogs and conferences attracted many followers.

Ainscough followed the Gerson regimen of drinking 10 raw juices and undergoing five coffee enemas daily, as well as mineral supplements and sticking to a strict vegan diet. (Note: the original Gerson Diet contained Liver juice)!

Instead of having chemo, she decided to take a different path. Unfortunately, Jess’s mother who had been diagnosed with breast cancer; was influenced to take the same path as her daughter. She died a few years prior to Jess.

The Gerson Diet formulated by Dr Max Gerson is perhaps the most misunderstood and misreported of all the cancer diets. The Diet as prescribed by the original text “A Cancer Therapy: Results of Fifty Cases” is intriguing and inspiring for the newbie cancer patient. However – there are significant pitfalls. I have had personal experience with this diet (1976). I can understand how cancer patients are attracted to give it a try, but it is rigorous, precise and involves a caregiver for almost the entire waking day.

To deliver the diet in a home environment as prescribed by Max Gerson is almost impossible, but for the dedicated. When Ian Gawler was going through what we believed to be secondary osteosarcoma; due to the rationale of Gerson’s approach, it made some sense, as at the time, there was nothing else on offer in conventional treatment. In our veterinary practice We had often used dietary and supplement manipulation for greyhounds, racehorses, and other performance animals.

We questioned if these principles applied to humans and the Gerson Diet and pursued the Diet with diligence. Applying the principles to the letter of Gerson’s prescription, we agreeably terminated the Gerson Diet at the 6-week mark. Why? Ian’s massive weight loss, unrelenting severe increasing pain associated with weight loss and being on one leg; and what appeared to be increasing size of lesions; all led us to a very modified and more balanced way of eating.

Aspects of the Gerson Diet have been misreported going back as Far as Gerson’s early days. His original paper however – makes no claims of cures. It shows Gerson to be an inquiring researcher, who like many, was seeking the cure for cancer.

The Gerson Diet for Cancer Patients is DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMENDED by GRACE GAWLER INSTITUTE.

For more – recommended reading Grace, Grit and Gratitude – a Memoir by Grace Gawler

Liver Cleansing Diets

Liver Cleansing Diets and botanicals for improving liver function – Caution required: GGI does not recommend. Here’s Why…

Your liver is one of the largest organs in your body. It is an ingenious and intelligent organ that replicates quickly. It contains inbuilt complex and sophisticated systems for natural detoxification processes.

It is easy to interfere with these complex systems by consuming “Liver Detox” diets, sometimes called a liver cleanse or liver cleanse diet.

Trained in the old school of naturopathy that respects the body and the body’s processes; one of my big issues with natural health care is the implication told to patients that they are toxic!

I believe this is the most negative of placebos we can tell a patient. I often witness this with new clients who are convinced they have cancer because they are toxic. There is a small truth in that statement – but they implicitly believe that because they are “toxic”, detoxifying will help them recover. They are continually trying to remove toxins from the body by all manner of diets and cleanses, food elimination, enemas & colonics. It is not that simple!

The emphasis on toxicity and removing so-called toxins instead of focusing on a more positive approach to health restoration, causes psychological issues leading to chronic patient anxiety, depression, and a never-ending cycle of DETOX.

Liver cleansing – DETOX diets often include several one size fits all botanical (herbal medicines) that may not be a good fit for your liver. Your liver helps remove waste and handles the intricate metabolism of various nutrients and medicines.

Therefore, many of the available liver concoctions on the market can do your liver more harm than good. If you are taking vital pharmaceutical medicines, such as for heart, kidney, thyroid you can alter how these life-saving drugs are metabolised. This is even more important for cancer patients who risk either metabolising their treatments too quickly and therefore excreting therapeutic value of their treatment; or the opposite where metabolism is slowed down, and more drug absorbed that should be – creating serious side effects. Most cancer patients are not aware of the importance of this information.

Studies have found that liver injuries from herbal and dietary supplements are on the rise. Green tea extract, for example, can cause damage like that from hepatitis. And the coffee enemas involved in some regimens can lead to infections and electrolyte problems that might be deadly.

Alternative medicine proponents claim that your liver can regenerate and repair itself if you follow a liver cleansing diet. But takes time if the liver is severely damaged, even though liver cells are programmed to regenerate rapidly. If the liver is badly scarred for example by alcohol, drug taking, excessive pharmaceuticals, or viruses like Hep B & C, it will keep on regenerating scar tissue. DETOX can make the situation much worse.

The liver is such an intelligent organ that despite scar tissue or disease – it simply grows bigger to do its job efficiently.

However – You can help the efficient function of your liver by following healthy lifestyle principles as outlined in these web pages.

Takeaway tips:

Be gentle with yourself
Be discerning with regards to health information
Eat a balanced diet – a little of all food groups Eat wisely and widely.
Get lifestyle advice from qualified health professionals and be sure to have your GP involved.
Drink adequate water and healthy fluids.
Avoid chemicalised soft drinks.
Avoid too much alcohol – and avoid cheap wines.
Trust in your body’s ability to heal – support it and don’t’ get in the way of its natural processes.

Lactose or Gluten Intolerance?

What if I am Lactose or Gluten intolerant?

Important for cancer patients – Avoid Guesswork!

Explore nutritional Gene analysis

Do not just remove dairy foods or gluten – Get tested!

Many people eliminate essential food groups when trying to become healthier or to help manage an illness such as cancer. Oftentimes they are self-diagnosed or misled by spurious testing results.

If you suspect that you are lactose or gluten intolerant or both; you need skilled professional help to sort out your nutritional requirements. But first, take a reliable test to discover if you are in fact lactose or gluten intolerant.

Lactose Intolerance:

The reason for the absence of the lactase enzyme is the MCM6 gene, which to be accurate, is not functionally related to lactose metabolism, but regulates the activity of LCT (a gene which encodes for the lactase enzyme); the gene determines whether you will have the lactase enzyme or not. The gene based nutritional test I recommend, can inform you if you have one or two gene variants of the MCM6 gene and therefore are Lactose intolerant.

Health problems for those with Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerant people experience the accumulation of lactose in their colon, where it is decomposed by intestinal bacteria. Various fats are formed, as well as gasses and other molecules. The consequences are diarrhoea, a bloated stomach and stomach cramps. Some people can also experience nausea or vomiting and blood/mucus in stool. These signs can occur 15 minutes to 2 hours after the consumption of milk or dairy products, and they depend on the amount of lactose consumed, age and health condition.

Solution: Get tested – if there is an issue with Lactose; you may need to avoid all dairy food. Adapt your diet with the help of a qualified health professional. Restoring resident gut microbiome (gut bacteria) seems to assist in increasing tolerability to lactose. Refer to: https://www.gracegawlerinstitute.com/gut-health

Gluten intolerance: Are you diagnosed Coeliac?

If you do not know and suspect you may have a severe gluten-related health issue – you can be tested to check if have Coeliac disease:
If you are diagnosed as celiac – gluten is one substance you will need to eliminate from your diet.
Gluten gives structure to foods such as bread and pasta but for a diagnosed Coeliac, gluten can turn the immune system into hyper-drive-causing an auto-immune response and multiple severe health conditions.
But Gluten is not bad for everyone – just some people!
A diagnosis of Coeliac disease can affect every organ in your body.

Gluten is the known enemy of people with certain HLA tissue typing markers. Approx. 1% of the population are diagnosed as Coeliac. It is a protein found in rye, barley, and most prominently wheat.
Whilst you may not be a Coeliac sufferer – you may have an intolerance to gluten.

Solution:

Get tested. The simple solution for Coeliac patients is to eliminate Gluten from their diet. Adapt your diet with the help of a qualified health professional.

Gluten intolerance is marked by the presence or absence of the HLA tissue typing markers for DQ2 and DQ8 (actually the markers HLA-DQB1*02, HLA-DQA1*0501, HLA-DQB1*0302 exon2 and HLA-DQB1*0302 exon3). The presence of any of these genetic markers is 95% predictive for gluten intolerance/sensitivity. The presence of both markers is 95% predictive for coeliac disease.

Take-away tip:

The difference between coeliac disease and gluten intolerance

Although coeliac disease and gluten intolerance are treated similarly, they are not the same thing.

Coeliac disease can cause permanent damage, while a non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS), or gluten intolerance, causes symptoms but only until it gets out of your system.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by consuming gluten.
A gluten “intolerance” is just that: an intolerance of the body’s inability to handle gluten.

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