Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat (wheatberries, durum, semolina, spelt, farro, graham) rye, barely and triticale - a cross between wheat and rye.  Gluten helps foods maintain their shape, acting as a glue that holds food together.  It's most commonly found in bread, pasta, cereal, baked goods, salad dressing and soup.

Today's wheat is genetically altered to provide food manufacturers the most amount of products at the lowest cost.  Wheat is not what it used to be several decades ago.  Gluten-intolerance today has become a phenomenon because:

1) most wheat found in our food is "not what it used to be" and toxic

2) it is being over-consumed

The average American has gluten with every meal, and also between meals.  The less whole foods, fruits and vegetables one eats, the more gluten they are consuming.  Our bodies are overloaded, and overburdened trying to process all the gluten one eats.

Many people have become gluten intolerant, and are not aware of it.  Gluten sensitivity (or intolerance) is an autoimmune disorder in while the person's immune system attacks the gluten, specifically , and thereby causing an inflammatory response.  The number one sign that someone is having an inflammatory reaction to eating gluten is bloating. 

If it is identified during the consultation process with your client that they feel bloated and have stomach discomfort after eating their favorite foods such as pizza, pasta, cookies, cake, sandwiches, etc. then they may have a gluten sensitivity.  For vegans and vegetarians, pay attention to foods such as soy and meat substitutes such as seitan (wheat "meat").  If they report they are often bloated but do not know why, suggest they pay attention to how they feel after eating these foods. 

The reaction to gluten in the body does NOT happen immediately.  The effects may not be felt for 24-48 hours after consumption.  It is recommended to keep a food log in order to accurately track the body's response.  

Excessive gluten can contribute to making skin cells 'stickier' encouraging clogs, however, unless the client has a personal allergy to gluten (which causes digestive issues & bloating) this is not one we generally worry about.