Why Gluten Intolerance Is on the Rise — and What You Can Do About It
In recent years, more people than ever are struggling with gluten intolerance, bloating, fatigue, and digestive issues. From a functional medicine and holistic health perspective, the problem isn’t just gluten itself — it’s what’s happened to the modern grain.
🧬 What’s Really Going On
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Mold and Mycotoxins
Modern grains are often stored in massive silos, where humidity and temperature can allow mold growth and mycotoxin formation. Even small amounts can trigger inflammation and immune sensitivity in the gut. -
Pesticides and Glyphosate
Wheat and other grains are frequently sprayed with glyphosate (Roundup) just before harvest to dry them out faster — a process known as desiccation. This chemical damages the gut lining and alters the microbiome, leading to what functional medicine practitioners call “leaky gut.” -
Hybridization and Fast Fermentation
Today’s wheat has been hybridized for yield, not digestibility. Traditional sourdough fermentation once helped break down gluten proteins and reduce toxicity, but modern baking shortcuts leave gluten more inflammatory and harder to digest. -
Chronic Stress and Gut-Brain Axis Imbalance
Ongoing stress suppresses stomach acid and slows digestion. When food isn’t properly broken down, the immune system overreacts — and gluten becomes the scapegoat.
🌿 Functional Medicine Solutions
At The Holistic Clinic in Daphne, we use a functional medicine approach to uncover and correct the root causes of gluten sensitivity rather than simply avoiding foods forever.
Here’s what can help:
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Comprehensive gut testing to identify microbiome imbalances, leaky gut, or yeast overgrowth.
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Mycotoxin and mold exposure evaluation, especially if you live in a humid or water-damaged environment.
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Detoxification and liver support, using nutrients that help the body clear glyphosate and other toxins.
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Acupuncture in Daphne and Fairhope, which supports digestion, reduces inflammation, and balances the nervous system to restore the gut-brain connection.
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Targeted nutrition plans focused on real, organic, non-processed foods and naturally fermented grains (when tolerated).
💛 The Takeaway
Gluten intolerance isn’t just a passing trend — it’s a symptom of how our food and environment have changed. When you heal the gut, lower inflammation, and rebalance your system through acupuncture and functional medicine in Daphne, you can often reintroduce foods you once thought were off limits.