Celiac disease is a medical condition in which the absorptive surface of the small intestine is damaged by a substance called GLUTEN.
This results in an inability of the body to absorb nutrients:protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for good health.
Although statistics are not readily available, it is estimated that 1 in 133 persons in Canada are affected by celiac disease.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, triticale, barley. It is the gluten in the flour that helps bread and other baked goods bind and prevents crumbling. This feature has made gluten widely used in the production of many processed and packaged foods.
Hidden sources of gluten:
H.V.P.-Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
H.P.P.-Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
Malt Flavoring
Malt
Modified wheat starch
Modified corn starch(not all is, but most made in the US)
Some common foods that can contain gluten:
Boullion cubes
Sliced or processed meats
Worcestershire sauce
Baking powder
Salad dressings
Soups of gravy mixes
Seasonings(like taco seasoning)
Soy sauce
There is not yet a cure for celiacs disease, and no medicine. But celiacs disease can be controlled by following a strict GLUTEN-FREE DIET.
You can find much more info on celiacs disease-log onto www.celiac.ca and many other sites for more info.