What is Celiac Disease?
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.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Carrie,
First of all, sorry to read about your affliction. I’m really not familiar with the condidtion.
A few days ago, I was listening to “The Current” on CBC Radio One and heard a Doctor from Wissconsin, USA, discuss a “Wheat Free” diet. He spoke about “Wheat Belly”. He got my attention!
Here is the situation here. My wife and I are in our late 50′s. She weighs 164 pounds. I weigh, 135 lbs. I do the cooking! We eat the same things.
Will a wheat free diet help her shed her “Wheat Belly”?
If so, I have MAJOR adjustments coming to my cooking regiment.
Chris
If you are not aware of wheat/gluten issues the “Wheat Belly” book is full of great knowledge and awareness of how “wheat” affects our bodies. I, myself did not lose weight going gluten free, however excema I had had for 30 years is gone, and of course I also feel great! That alone is worth going gluten free. Being aware of what is in our foods is the most important part of being healthy.