| So after doing some online research and maybe | | | | dryness down to full blown celiac disease and |
| talking to a doctor or two, you've come to the | | | | correspondent anemia, mal-absorption syndrome, |
| conclusion that you think you may have a gluten | | | | chronic diarrhea and weight loss. Gluten intolerance |
| intolerance. Don't panic, you are not alone, as you | | | | is commonly associated with various |
| may feel this way when you first get diagnosed. | | | | rheumatologic and autoimmune diseases, including |
| There are nearly 3 million sufferers of gluten | | | | osteoporosis, pseudogout, Sjogren's syndrome, |
| intolerance (often called Celiac disease) in the | | | | lupus and multiple sclerosis." |
| United States alone. Since symptoms and severity | | | | The treatment of gluten intolerance generally |
| of those symptoms vary, the actual number may | | | | involves a drastic shift in diet. However, the |
| be much higher. | | | | culture shock of a new diet can quickly wear off |
| So what exactly is gluten intolerance, how is it | | | | if you can find your favorite foods in gluten-free |
| caused and how is it treated? Well, according to | | | | form. For a person who suffers from gluten |
| the Institute of Specialized Medicine, gluten | | | | intolerance, making the shift to a gluten-free |
| intolerance is "a genetic disorder characterized by | | | | lifestyle can be overwhelming at first, but once |
| abnormal inflammatory responses driven by gluten | | | | you find supplemental products the ease of meal |
| (a wheat protein) and related proteins from rye | | | | preparation becomes much easier. Although it can |
| and barley. Clinically, the disease presents in a | | | | be challenging to find gluten-free products, the |
| broad spectrum of symptoms varying from | | | | health benefits, and reduction of symptoms are |
| minimal muscle and joint pain, mouth and eye | | | | well worth it. |