What Is Gliadin and Why Is It Important on Keto & Carnivore?

Key Chemical Features

The table below shows the main chemical features of gliadin.

So, because of how gliadin is built, the body has trouble breaking it down and can even recognize parts of it as a threat, so it can trigger immune reactions and cause gut problems and digestive issues in some people.

Learn More: Is Whey Gluten Free? 15 Best Keto Whey Protein Shakes

[cta-gocarnivore-plans]

How Gliadin Interacts with the Gut

Gliadin can temporarily weaken the gut’s protective barrier and make it easier for the immune system to get irritated.

Gliadin can make the gut lining more leaky, which can cause inflammation and sensitivity. Your gut lining is made of cells that are tightly stuck together, like tiles with sealed grout.

Gliadin can attach to certain receptors on these cells, which can cause the body to release a chemical called zonulin [4].

Zonulin loosens the seals between gut cells. When those seals loosen, tiny gaps appear, and things that should not pass through easily can slip into the bloodstream, triggering immune reactions and inflammation.

It can mainly happen in people with celiac disease. It can also happen temporarily in some people without celiac disease, which explains why some, especially those with immune or gut issues, feel unwell after eating gluten [5] [6].

Health Effects of Gliadin Beyond Celiac Disease

Gliadin can affect more than just people with celiac disease. Even in people without classic gluten intolerance, it can negatively affect inflammation, gut bacteria, metabolism and microbiome, and how the body handles energy [7] [8] [9].

Learn More: Is Frozen Yogurt Healthier Than Ice Cream on Keto Carnivore?

[cta-meetings]

It Can Increase Inflammation

Gliadin has been linked to higher levels of inflammatory signals in gut cells, including higher activity of oxidative enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can compromise cellular homeostasis [10] [11].

This can stress cells and make it harder for them to function normally.

It Can Change the Gut Bacteria

Gliadin can cause shifts in the types of bacteria living in the gut. Since gut bacteria influence digestion, immunity, and metabolism, this can have various negative effects [12].

It Can Negatively Affect Metabolism

In animal studies, diets that included gliadin, especially with high-fat diets, were linked to [13]:

• Worse blood sugar control (more insulin resistance)
• Changes in metabolic health markers

These findings suggest that gliadin not only affects gut permeability but can also influence metabolic homeostasis, which is important for people on low-carb or high-fat diets like Keto and Carnivore.

Learn More: Top 10 Low-Carb Party Food Ideas for Keto & Carnivore Diets

[cta-meal-plan]

Gliadin in Keto and Carnivore Diets

Now that we have learned the basics about gliadin and its effects on our general health, let’s find out how it affects our Keto and Carnivore Diet results.

Keto Diet

On a ketogenic diet, you need to consume low levels of carbohydrates, usually below 50g per day, to induce ketosis.

While the Keto Diet does not naturally exclude gluten, most sources of carbohydrates on Keto, such as bread, pasta, and cereals, are also the main dietary sources of gliadin [14].

Common gliadin sources on Keto include:

• Bread substitutes made from grains
• Processed low-carb baked goods with wheat components

By eliminating gliadin on a Keto Diet, you can experience different health benefits, including:

• Lower intestinal permeability and inflammation
• More consistent metabolic markers, especially insulin sensitivity
• Better digestion for sensitive individuals

Learn More: 10 Easy Keto Recipe Ideas for Beginners [Low-Carb, High-Fat]

Carnivore Diet

The Carnivore Diet eliminates all plant foods. Because gliadin is exclusively found in plants (grains), it is absent on a zero-carb Carnivore Diet.

So, if you avoid all plant-based foods on a Carnivore Diet, you have no exposure to gliadin and remove a source of potential gut barrier alteration [15].

This is why many people have reported decreased inflammation and improved digestive health on a zero-carb Carnivore Diet.

By removing gliadin, both Keto (when gluten-free) and Carnivore diets can reduce factors linked to intestinal barrier activation and systemic inflammation.

Another important point that we need to consider about gliadin on a Keto and Carnivore Diet is how to find out if we have been exposed to gliadin and how to manage it.

[cta-shop-products]

Diagnosing and Managing Gliadin Exposure

The most common symptoms associated with gliadin include [16]:

• Digestive discomfort, such as bloating, diarrhea, and constipation
• Fatigue
• Joint pain or stiffness
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Skin rashes or dermatitis

Please note that these symptoms are non-specific and cannot indicate gliadin sensitivity without clinical testing. So, if you have most of these symptoms, you can visit your healthcare provider and ask for a test, like the ones in the table below.

Learn More: Bull Testicles or Rocky Mountain Oysters on a Carnivore Diet

Studies show that when people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity stop eating gluten, their anti-gliadin antibody levels usually drop, which means blood tests can help track whether they are sticking to the diet [17].

Final Remarks

So, to avoid gliadin problems, you can go gluten-free and avoid wheat, rye, and barley, consume whole foods, and monitor symptoms and biomarkers with healthcare support.

These strategies are completely in line with the rules of Keto and Carnivore diets and can help differentiate between diet effects and gliadin-specific effects.

[cta-course-fatloss]

FAQs

Let’s answer the most frequently asked questions about gliadin and its effects on Keto and Carnivore diets.

Is Gliadin the Same as Gluten?

No, gliadin is a component of gluten, the composite protein in wheat that also includes glutenin. Gluten is the whole structure.

Why Do Keto and Carnivore Diets Often Eliminate Gliadin?

Because both diets remove or significantly reduce grain-based carbohydrates, indirectly eliminating gliadin.

Does Gliadin Affect People without Celiac Disease?

Yes, some research suggests that gliadin can increase intestinal permeability even in non-celiac individuals, though more research needs to be done.

Can You Test for Gliadin Sensitivity?

Yes, you can consult a healthcare provider and ask for anti-gliadin antibody tests (IgG/IgA) that can indicate immune responses to gliadin.

Are All Grains High in Gliadin?

No, wheat, rye, and barley are the main sources. Gluten-free grains like rice, corn, millet, and quinoa do not contain gliadin.