Why Your Daily Bread Could be Making You Sick


by Jeff Wend - Date: 2006-12-08 - Word Count: 380 Share This!

Celiac Disease is an immunologic reaction to gluten found in grains like wheat, oats, barley, rye, and others.

It occurs in about 1 in 2,500 people in the United States, but many believe it to be even more common that that. It is the elastic like protein in grains (gluten) that gives bread it structure and texture.

Eating something with gluten damages the cells that line the small intestine of a person with Celiac Disease. This can cause malnutrition, cramping, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, anemia, and stunted growth in children.

For many, it takes years of being sick and misdiagnosed before realizing that they have celiac disease. Usually, symptoms can be alleviated by avoiding the gluten grains and substituting others, such as corn, rice, and millet.

It can be difficult at first for one to make the transition to a gluten free lifestyle.

All of a sudden they find themselves studying labels and questioning the content of food when eating out. Eating out can be the most difficult because of cross contaminated foods. It is good to ask the general manager of a restaurant about food ingredients if there is any doubt.

And if there is doubt still, it is best to avoid that restaurant or the menu item in question. However, for many, simply avoiding the grains with gluten is not always enough to regain health and live celiac symptom free.

Supplementing digestive enzymes can help ease the burden of digestion of the pancreas and help to break down foods in the stomach before entering the intestines.

This will greatly help with the inflammation of the intestinal wall lining. Supplementing a good gluten free probiotic is also a good way to return the healthy flora to the intestines. You can find both of these items at a trusted online health store, or your local health food store.

If you do find that your have Celiac Disease, do not give up hope.

You can regain your health and still eat delicious foods.

You are just going to have to find appropriate alternatives and substitutes for your favorite foods which do contain gluten.

It is also recommended to search your local area or online for celiac support groups. These groups can help you find what local restaurants are gluten free friendly and are a great place to trade recipes and make new friends.


Related Tags: celiac disease, gluten, food alergy

The author is a professional nutrition counselor who has worked in the natural health field for ten years. He publishes the Jeff's Healthy Living nutrition and diet Website (http://www.jeffshealthyliving.com).

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