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Allergies and intolerances

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Feeling tired when I eat bread. What's going on?

4 replies

RelationsAkin · 11/09/2014 14:58

I find that if I eat bread, crumpets etc in the evening, then the day after I feel tired - not exhuasted, just lacking in energy and enthusiasm; a bit muzzy headed. Could there be a connection?

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 12/09/2014 13:46

Let me give you some thoughts I've been having this morning.

For a good while a little back, I had Restless Leg Syndrome - which is the very devil for anyone who hasn't suffered from it. A little on-off research and I discovered that lack of iron and magnesium in the system could contribute significantly to that so I spent a couple of months taking iron tablets when the symptoms became unbearable and I couldn't sleep. (I've already been eating an extremely nutritious diet long term.)

However, I found it almost impossible to keep that iron consumption in balance - and it can be dangerous to take too much. So, some further research, because I wanted to get to the bottom of the thing and I discovered that gluten intolerance (Yes - we'll get there eventually) can knacker bits in the gut (technical language there) and lead to malabsorption or non-absorption of minerals and vitamins.

Nothing ventured, and my own doctor being in hospital, I decided to switch myself temporarily and recently to a lower gluten diet. Not a full coeliac diet: I've not been avoiding foods which might have even seen some gluten in the factory, but just substituting eg Free From bread and pasta for the ordinary versions, eating even more veg, and generally avoiding gluten foods in main meals.

The RLS has stopped abruptly, I've given up supplementary iron, I'm sleeping like a log for the first time in years and - interestingly - I had some ordinary bread the other day and felt like a lump. No other way to describe it, really - I wasn't ill or in pain, just 'below par' in some ill-defined way. I think I may have to eat a bit more though because I seem to have more energy/be more active on the gluten-free stuff and I'm losing some weight which wasn't intentional.

Anyway - I give this to you for what it's worth. Other posters who have real experience of gluten intolerance will be able to comment more authoritatively. Is it possible for you though? My general belief is that if something makes you feel a bit off - and you can probably tie it down to that and not some other factor - then you stop ingesting it if you can.

hiddenhome · 12/09/2014 17:30

Yes, there is definitely a connection. I gave up bread/wheat/grains a few weeks ago now and I no longer get that tiredness.

It's funny that you should mention RLS cozietoes because mine has settled down too.

Tipsykisses · 12/09/2014 17:35

Sorry to hijack but would it cause bloating also ?

hiddenhome · 12/09/2014 18:22

Yes, bloating too.

Have a look on Google under 'gluten intolerance symptoms' you'll be surprised at the harm it can do. I feel heaps better since giving it up.

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