– What is Gluten? –

Gluten, ah yes, that buzzword that seems to be taking over our modern day vocabulary when it comes to food and everything in between. What even is gluten and where can it be found? Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale (cross between wheat and rye). It is a substance that acts as a glue and helps keep foods together.  It is also what makes cakes and bread so fluffy. Gluten is a sneaky compound that is found in almost every pre-packaged food as well as in our kitchens, restaurants and even in our beauty products. All it takes is just one microscopic piece of gluten to cause a reaction for a Celiac. To learn more about gluten and where it hides visit Celiac.org .

– What is Celiac Disease? –

We’ve been hearing quite a bit about Celiac Disease A LOT lately. Is it a new disease? What is it and why is everyone talking about it? Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s immune system to go into attack mode when one ingests gluten. This response forces the body to attack the small intestine which in turn causes damage to the villi causing improper digestion of nutrients.  Not only does gluten contribute to the destruction of intestinal villi, it also causes a wide range of symptoms from brain fog to tingling feet that can make everyday life hard for those that suffer from it. Celiac disease is not something new, it has been around for over 2000 years. There is no cure and the only treatment for it is to adhere to a strict gluten free diet. To learn more about Celiac Disease visit csaceliacs.org.

– Who is Affected? –

Okay, all of this information about gluten and CD is great and all, but who does it affect?  Celiac Disease affects both children and adults. Due to the nature of the disease itself it can take years to get a proper diagnosis.  Gluten causes many symptoms including; fatigue, bloating, irritability, joint pain, stomach pain, migraines, brain fog and more. The good news is not everyone that experiences gluten-related symptoms has Celiac Disease. Studies show that 1 in 100 people have Celiac Disease and about 6% of people have a known gluten intolerance.  Gluten intolerance is formally referred to as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). To learn more click here.