What is gluten?
Gluten is a natural protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats and products made from these grains. As some people need to avoid gluten, it’s presence in a food must be declared on the label. Doves farm mill gluten free flours. Gluten can cause a disesase called Coeliac Disease.
Coeliac Disease
In this medical condition which affects about 1% of the population, the lining of the intestine is damaged by gluten preventing the absorption of essential nutrients.
Coeliac disease is caused by a reaction to gluten, a collective name for a type of protein found in the cereals wheat. In coeliac disease, eating gluten causes the lining of the gut (small bowel) to become damaged and may affect other parts of the body.
Gluten intolerance, or coeliac disease, is assessed by analysis of antibodies in the blood and is a serious disorder of the small intestine. Diagnosis is confirmed by a biopsy of the gut wall whose abnormalities, and other symptoms, return to normal when the sufferer adopts a gluten-free diet.
The only known effective treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet. While the disease is caused by a reaction to wheat proteins, it is not the same as wheat allergy.
As mentioned a gluten free diet is the treatment for coeliac disease and dermatitis hepiformis and should be followed with medical supervision.
For more information visit: www.coeliac.co.uk
Gluten Intolerance - Wheat Intolerance
Many people believe that they have an adverse reaction to consuming wheat and many people claim to feel better if they reduce their consumption of wheat. It is clearly a very real problem. But the situation is confused. Many research papers indicate that some 20% of people believe that they have adverse reaction to particular foods.
The symptoms attributed to wheat intolerance are very similar to the symptoms for a number of other conditions such as stress, IBS or a good night out. Therefore, it is extremely important that individuals who think they may have an adverse reaction to wheat visit their doctor.
Because a celebrity has, is a bad reason to eliminate wheat from your diet. Celebrity diets are not always developed by qualified nutritionists and should be treated with caution. You should also never eliminate a food from your diet in order to lose weight.
Allergy and Intolerance in Babies and Children
During the first year of life, a baby's digestive and immune systems are still developing. It is important that you do not wean your child too early, because it may disrupt these natural developments.
If you suspect that your child is suffering from a food allergy or intolerance, please consult your doctor or health visitor. Please do not avoid foods without advice as you may unnecessarily remove vital nutrients from your child's diet.
Click here to view Coeliac Disease Symptoms
