| As medical diagnostic techniques become more | | | | able to recognize the symptoms of celiac disease. |
| and more sophisticated, we are learning about a | | | | These symptoms can include the following: |
| number of food allergies. Although shellfish allergies | | | | Abdominal pains and bloating |
| and lactose intolerance are two fairly well-known | | | | Back pain |
| dietary issues, doctors are now able to recognize | | | | Muscle cramps |
| some people's inability to safely consume the | | | | Diarrhea |
| widespread food dye, red 40, as well as a mineral | | | | Strange stool |
| that is essential for thyroid function, iodine. Also, | | | | Weight loss |
| gluten intolerance, or celiac disease, has also shot | | | | Weakness |
| to the national spotlight. This article will provide a | | | | Once you realize that you have celiac disease, |
| brief overview about this type of food allergy. | | | | you need to completely cut gluten out of your |
| Gluten is the main protein component of popular | | | | diet. This protein is probably way more prevalent |
| grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. When | | | | than you think-basically every food that is baked |
| people with celiac disease consume anything that | | | | contains wheat flour, and therefore it has gluten. |
| has these grains in it, or anything that has been | | | | Gluten can come in some surprising places, |
| contaminated with gluten, it causes damage to | | | | including malted beers, pasta, and soy sauce. |
| their small intestines. Basically, there is an | | | | Now that gluten intolerance is now realized to be |
| immunological reaction in the villi, or the little | | | | much more common-estimates say that it |
| finger-like projections that line the small intestines. | | | | affects 3 million Americans-there are several |
| Eventually, if a person who is gluten-intolerant | | | | alternatives to wheat flour that are on the |
| keeps consuming the protein, it will damage their | | | | market and can be found in regular grocery |
| villi to the point that the small intestines lose their | | | | stores. People can buy gluten-free crackers, |
| ability to absorb beneficial nutrients. In actuality, | | | | pasta, and breads, which are good ways to keep |
| this is not an allergy, but a disease that is thought | | | | these foods in your diet without damaging your |
| to be genetic. Therefore, if you think someone in | | | | body. For your own home-baked goods, you |
| your family has gluten intolerance, they should | | | | should look into using special non-gluten flour |
| have genetic testing before the small intestines | | | | blends that try to mimic the texture of regular |
| are damaged to the point where it can lead to | | | | flour. These include arrowroot, rice, and cassava |
| malnutrition and other problems. | | | | flours, among others. |
| The long-term problems that can happen as a | | | | Gluten-free diets are becoming a larger and larger |
| result of celiac disease include anemia, | | | | topic in healthcare. For more information on food |
| osteoporosis, nervous system problems, | | | | allergies and other health issues, check out the |
| neurological issues, and gallbladder and pancreatic | | | | Health Directory today. |
| malfunctions. Therefore, it is a good idea to be | | | | |