Understanding

If you are new to a gluten-free diet you may be feeling overwhelmed. Understanding is often the first place to start.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a sticky protein found in wheat, rye and barley. It is found also in most oats not because of the oat itself but because of the way it is processed.

Gluten is what makes pizza dough so stretchy, bread rise and pasta hold together.

How can gluten affect the body?

The root of the word gluten is glue. Remember when you were a kid and you made paste with flour and water? It does the same thing in the body.

For most people, gluten is not a serious issue. However for people with Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance, eating gluten is very much the same as eating tiny amounts of rat poison. The body perceives the gluten as a toxin.

People who cannot tolerate gluten can suffer from a wide variety of ailments including seizures, bloating, intestinal problems, compromised immune systems, depression, anxiety, ADHA (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), autism, adrenal exhaustion, and thyroid problems just to name a few of the not so pleasant results. There are over 300 symptoms related to gluten intolerance.

Who has it?

Approximately 1 in 130 people has Celiac Disease. Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. It is an autoimmune disorder which means that the body literally attacks itself. According to Dr. A. Fasano only 5 percent of all people with Celiac Disease have been diagnosed.

It is estimated that 7% - 8% of people have sub-clinical gluten intolerance which means they are intolerant to gluten but it does not show up on blood tests.

In September 2010, on the Oprey Winphery Show, Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of Womens Bodies, Womens Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause, stated that 1 out of every 4 women suffer from gluten intolerance.

About a quarter of U.S. adults (25% of the population) ) are either trying to reduce or completely avoid gluten in their diets, according to the marketing firm, NPD (National Product Development) Group Inc.

Some people find they simply feel better, dont feel so blotted after a meal and many commonly find that their diet all of a sudden works when they cut out the gluten!

Whats the cure?

Unfortunately there is no CURE for gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease. The only thing you can do is stay away from gluten. Dont eat it! Most people will start to feel better within days of removing gluten from their diets if they cant tolerate it. Its one health issue that you dont take a pill for!! You just stop eating gluten!!

It is important to realize that cheating on a gluten-free diet is not an option. Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance do not go away. Just because one starts to feel better on a gluten-free diet, it does not mean they are cured.

The easiest way to begin a gluten free diet is to concentrate on the foods that are naturally gluten free such as fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, fish, poultry, nuts and gluten free grains such as rice.

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