Celiac Disease/ Wheat and Gluten Sensitivities

In the past 2 days I've met 2 people with newly diagnosed Celiac Disease (a man in his late 40's and a boy who is 5 years old).  Since this is coming up a lot in my life, I thought many of the people I know would want to learn more about it...

Celiac Disease:  The grains wheat, barley, rye, and triticale contain a protein called gluten. People with Celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that affects about 1% of the population in the United States, are gluten-intolerant; their immune system attacks the protein when it reaches the small intestine triggering symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, and nausea. It can also make it hard for the body to absorb nutrients and lead to fatigue, anemia, and osteoporosis. Celiac disease may slow growth in children.
Diagnosing Celiac disease:  If you think you have Celiac disease, your doctor can diagnose it with a blood test. They may also perform an endoscopy to look inside of the small intestine and take a biopsy. Adopting a gluten-free diet usually improves symptoms in about two weeks.
Gluten sensitivity:  About one in twenty people react to eating gluten but test negative for Celiac disease. "Gluten sensitivity" is an umbrella term that covers about 100 different issues including migraines, hives, numbness, and symptoms of autism in some children. There is no conclusive research about gluten sensitivity, so the examples of symptoms are mainly anecdotal.
Surprising foods that contain gluten:  Going gluten-free can be tricky. Besides products such as bread, pasta, and baked goods that contain wheat, barley, rye or triticale, many processed foods and some health and beauty products contain gluten. Some unexpected items that potentially contain gluten include: flavored soy and rice milk, prepared cake frosting, cold cuts and hot dogs, french fries (may be contaminated by cooking oil), jarred sauces, jams, and gravies, canned soups, soy sauce, salad dressings, pickles, instant gravy, bouillon cubes, instant hot chocolate, lipstick and lip balm, vitamin supplements and prescription and over the counter medications in pill form.
Ready to go gluten-free:  If you want to go gluten-free, speak with a Registered Dietitian. A Registered Dietitian can give you lists foods that are allowed and share which foods to avoid, as well as give you recipes to fit in with your lifestyle. It's also important to include some grains and legumes in your diet to make sure you are getting enough vitamins. Lentils, brown rice, corn meal, quinoa, and millet can all be part of a healthy gluten-free meal.  A range of gluten-free products can be found in most supermarkets, and you can make healthy gluten-free food at home, too.
(Adapted from Yahoo! Blogger – Sarah B. Weir)

For more information or to set up a free 10 Minute Consultation:

Carena Lowenthal, MS, RD, CDN

www.carenalowenthal.com

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carena@carenalowenthal.com

Have a great week!