| Celiac disease is a genetic disease and is currently | | | | anyone suffering from celiac disease. This can |
| incurable. 1 in 133 Americans currently suffer from | | | | include most grains, breads, pasta, cereal, and |
| this condition, also known as an auto-immune | | | | many processed foods. Because of this, the |
| disease. For those that have an immediate family | | | | afflicted has to be very careful about what foods |
| member that has been diagnosed, there is a 1 in | | | | to eat which can prove to be difficult when eating |
| 22 chance that you will also have it. The only | | | | out. |
| known 'treatment' is to live a gluten free life. | | | | Fortunately there are many foods that do not |
| Gluten affects those with celiac disease in a | | | | contain gluten like eggs, plain meat, fish, rice and |
| number of ways. When gluten is in the digestive | | | | fruit. Also, many foods can be made without |
| tract, it causes the body's immune system to | | | | ingredients containing gluten. This way, a person |
| attack the small intestine, which will impede the | | | | with celiac disease can still enjoy certain breads |
| body's ability to absorb any nutrients. This will | | | | and pastas. There are entire cookbooks revolving |
| cause malnutrition and starvation if not corrected. | | | | around gluten free ingredients. |
| There are other symptoms as well, ranging in | | | | So there is still hope for someone with celiac |
| severity from person to person, such as | | | | disease. But there is also hope in continuing |
| abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, vomiting and | | | | research. New treatments and diagnostic |
| constipation. | | | | techniques are currently being researched as you |
| By living a gluten free diet, one can avoid these | | | | read this. There are even certain grains that are |
| symptoms, sometimes for life. Since gluten exists | | | | being genetically engineered to not contain gluten. |
| in wheat, rye and barley eating any food made | | | | As medicine and science make advances we get |
| from these will have sever consequences for | | | | ever closer to finding a real cure. |