Pasta Loading? Maybe not . . .
WDEIA is a newly recognized condition called wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Basically, it’s a condition that requires two “hits” to lead to symptoms.
The patient must ingest wheat and then partake in aerobic exercise. Wheat by itself or exercise without prior ingestion of wheat does not lead to any symptoms. Put the two together and the individual experiences allergic shock.
Omega-5-gliadin seems to be the molecule in wheat that causes the allergic symptoms. Some of the first medical observations of this condition were made by Harvard physicians who were lending medical support to the Boston Marathon.
Perhaps the traditional pre-race “pasta-loading” will go by the wayside for runners.