What is ...

What is Gluten? It is a protein found in some grains, wheat, rye, barley, and triticale. Gluten is the "Glue" that holds food together and helps maintain their shape. Gluten can be found in many foods and it can be found in foods and not be a true ingredient of that food.

What is Celiac Disease? A serious autoimmune disease that when gluten is ingested (even smaller than a crumb, technically as small as the oil of a peanut to someone with a peanut allergy), the body creates an immune response that has antibodies attack the small intestine. This leads to destroyed villi which are these finger like projections that line the wall of the small intestine. The villi help absorption of nutrients when healthy. When they are damaged the body cannot get the needed nutrients to stay healthy. This can lead to many other complications in the sufferer. There is NO cure for Celiac Disease, it can ONLY be managed through a Gluten Free Lifestyle.

Celiac Disease is hereditary and usually more than one person in the family can have it (all immediate family members should be tested if one person is diagnosed). This is a genetically predisposed disease that gets "turned on" when certain conditions are met. Eating gluten, having the genetically predisposed gene and a stress activator is what can trigger the disease. This stress activator can be a virus, stress, pregnancy, trauma, and any other condition that causes stress to the body. This disease affects 1 in 100 people worldwide however an estimate of 30% of people are undiagnosed. Approximately 40% of the general population carry the genetically predisposed gene that can be activated for Celiac Disease. Which is one reason why you are hearing about this so much more in today's world.

Some serious complications of Celiac Disease especially untreated Celiac Disease:

• Increased risk of other autoimmune diseases
• Dermatitis Herpetiformis (can be the only sign someone has Celiac Disease) the worst itchy rash to date
• Mental Health Issues
• Common to have Diabetes and Celiac Disease
• Intestinal Cancer / Gall Bladder Malfunction / Osteoporosis / Infertility / Miscarriage / Mineral Deficiencies / Nervous System Disorders