| Many people go through life tired, always fighting colds, | | | | hydrolyzed vegetable protein, malt, dextrins and even |
| dealing with a lot of abdominal and intestinal issues, | | | | natural flavours. |
| headaches, achy joints and many other unpleasant | | | | So what do you do? Well life as you know it may |
| sensations. For some this may be a matter of poor | | | | change but it is far from over! |
| nutrition, dehydration, arthritis or one of many other | | | | Many people with Celiac report having a whole new |
| reasons. But for many the cause may be Celiac | | | | world of foods open to them. It can be a great |
| Disease. | | | | experience. At first it may be some hard work but in |
| Celiac Disease is a genetic intolerance for gluten- the | | | | the end you feel great and eat new and exciting |
| elastic protein in wheat, rye, barley, triticale, kamut and | | | | foods. Quinoa recipes, salads with greens, goat |
| spelt and it can damage the small intestine for years, | | | | cheese, toasted millet, flourless chocolate tortes with |
| silently or at least in a language that most of us do not | | | | fresh raspberries; there are thousands of things you |
| know how to recognize. People who suffer from | | | | can make and tons of recipes out there to choose |
| headaches may dismiss it as stress, those with achy | | | | from as this disease becomes more recognized. The |
| joints wonder if they have arthritis and those with | | | | internet offers excellent recipes and sources for |
| abdominal pain are told for years they have IBS. Each | | | | support (I will list sites at the end of the article). |
| of these symptoms can be symptoms of celiac | | | | I am not writing this to scare you! I am hoping someone |
| disease. | | | | reading this may find an answer to their life long |
| For various reasons the celiac's body reads gluten as | | | | struggle, do some research, get tested and find that |
| a toxin and attacks it. The antibodies go after the | | | | they can FEEL GREAT. |
| gluten but attack the small intestine instead, leaving it | | | | So what is this GLUTEN anyways? Gluten is the |
| incapable of absorbing proper nutrition. At best this | | | | elastic protein in wheat, rye and barley, spelt, durum |
| leaves people feeling exhausted and anxious without | | | | and semolina. It makes pizza crust chewy, fills |
| knowing why. As well as leaving them susceptible to | | | | baguettes with pockets of air and keeps puffed |
| catching colds. | | | | pastries light and crunchy. Gluten helps bread dough to |
| The National Institutes of Health say that Celiac | | | | rise. |
| Disease is the most under diagnosed disease in the | | | | After the Food Labeling Act went into effect in 2006, |
| United States. Approximately 1 out of 100 ppl in USA | | | | eating gluten free has become a bit easier. Now |
| suffer with Celiac Disease. That is around 2 million | | | | anything containing wheat must be labeled as such. |
| people. But only 3% have been diagnosed. You can | | | | However food producers are not required to label |
| have your blood tested to diagnose Celiac Disease. | | | | foods that contain gluten. Not YET. There are places |
| When people realize they have Celiac and remove | | | | gluten can hide that we may not expect. Here is a list |
| gluten from their diets, amazing things happen. Their | | | | for you of some common things; |
| energy returns and many people report that their "brain | | | | · Malt flavoring from barley |
| fog" is gone and it is as if they are seeing through new | | | | · Hydrolyzed vegetable protein |
| clear glasses. Their constant "exhaustion" is gone and | | | | · MSG made outside of USA |
| they feel like new people. | | | | · Caramel coloring made outside of USA |
| Why or how people get Celiac Disease is still a bit of a | | | | · Dextrins |
| mystery. There are many theories such as viral | | | | Yes, living gluten free is not easy. It takes time to |
| infection, stress, genetic disposition? Different | | | | change your life and learn what you can and cannot |
| specialists will say different things. | | | | eat. BUT with the change comes freedom. With |
| If you notice that certain foods make you feel | | | | change comes the feeling of a clear head and overall |
| exhausted or you have never really felt good or | | | | health as well as vibrant energy that perhaps you |
| healthy you should start paying attention to the foods | | | | have never felt before. |
| you eat and reading labels. In our day where most | | | | For a list of gluten free flours and how to use them, |
| food is processed, you will find wheat in most | | | | visit Here are some other support resources if you |
| processed foods. | | | | suspect you may have Celiac Disease: |
| If you suspect you have Celiac, be sure to get a | | | | I hope that if you know someone who may have |
| proper diagnosis. And when you do, then what? | | | | Celiac or you feel you have Celiac that you will start to |
| Imagine for the rest of your life NO GLUTEN? | | | | investigate and make the appropriate changes to |
| No more bread, no more beer, no more baked goods, | | | | improve your life or the lives of others by sharing this |
| no more pasta, cinnamon rolls, traditional pizza, oatmeal | | | | information. |
| Gluten hides even in some ice creams and a few soy | | | | Be sure to visit your doctor, or a naturopathic doctor if |
| milks. Mass produced meats are often made with | | | | you feel you may have Celiac and be properly |
| gluten to fill out the salami or to make the turkey seem | | | | diagnosed and then start creating a plan for yourself |
| more plump. Even popsicles have gluten in them to | | | | as soon as possible. |
| give them filler. | | | | Best of luck. |
| Gluten can be DISGUISED as modified food starch, | | | | |