What is a gluten-free diet?
The gluten-free diet is the prescription for this disease. The term gluten refers to separate proteins gliadin in wheat (including all forms of wheat), secalin in rye, and hordein in barley (this includes malt and malt flavoring) The protein in oats, avenin, has recently been reported not to cause damage to celiacs, but in the U.S. oats are considered contaminated during growth or in the processing. Therefore oats are still on the “no list”. It is vitally important to read labels very carefully since product formulations change frequently. Youll learn of many surprising places where gluten can show up. Gluten (proteins) induces an immune response in a person with celiac disease. It has been proven that even when there are no symptoms, small amounts of gluten can be taking a toll on a celiacs intestinal lining. When there is damage to the intestinal lining there is risk of developing more serious health conditions.
• Gluten is a general name for storage proteins found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Gluten may cause health problems for some people. A gluten-free diet is a diet including foods and drinks that do not contain gluten. • A diet without gluten should be followed if you have celiac (SE-le-ak) disease, or dermatitis herpetiformis (her-pet-i-FORM-is). Dermatitis herpetiformis is a skin condition that is also called DH. A gluten-free diet should also be followed if you are allergic (al-ER-jik) to wheat. People who need this diet to treat a medical condition usually need to follow it for their whole lives. • With celiac disease, eating too much gluten may cause you to have diarrhea and stomach pain. You may also be very sad most of time, or become angry easily. It is possible for you to have celiac disease but have no symptoms. Even so, you are still at risk for medical problems. • With DH, you may have very itchy rashes which may blister. These symptoms may come and go, but you should sti
Before tackling the gluten-free diet, let’s get to know our culprit. Gluten is a specific type of protein, but one you won’t find in meat or eggs. Instead gluten is found in wheat, rye, and barley. Going gluten-free means avoiding these grains. A gluten-free diet is essential for most people with gluten allergies or celiac disease, a condition which causes intestinal damage when gluten is eaten.
