Gluten Intolerance

This blog will remove the mysticism behind gluten free, we will look at what gluten intolerance is and how gluten free products can stabilise those symptoms so it is a controlled dis-order.

Gluten Intolerance is the body rejecting the protein found in barley, wheat and rye. It is also linked to Celiac Disease. There’s not much solid evidence to the causes but it usually manifests from childhood, but may be overlooked because of the variation in diet and be mistaken for minor conditions, like indigestion. There are tests available to identify gluten levels and it is advised that anyone planning to eat gluten free needs to get tested first, as a gluten free diet is more relevant to those who live with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

Celiac Disease is a dis-order with symptoms that are triggered by eating wheat, barley or rye that cause physical reactions, such as stomach pain, diarrhoea, nausea, bloating and fatigue. If this is not controlled, intestinal damage may develop. Living with symptoms can also trigger anxiety (from unpredictability), joint pain (from inflammation), confusion (from tiredness) and numbness (from intense stomach pain). Celiac Disease is not just a food allergy, it is recognised as an autoimmune disease because the immune system attacks its healthy tissues and cells. The main treatment recommended for this condition is a 100% gluten free diet.

Gluten free foods are available to buy and may include whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, red meat, poultry, seafood, soy foods (tofu), natural milk, butter, cheese, cream, yoghurt, most drinks, most natural oils, apple cider vinegar, corn, potato, rice, crackers, cakes or flours (which will be made from quinoa, beans or seeds). Those on this diet need to make sure that the alternative products are still full of nutrition and understand the levels of fat and salt to enhance health. Additives in foods may contain gluten, food starch, soy sauce and emulsifiers. Understanding what ingredients are in products means that users are more in control of their eating habits and lifestyle.

It is important to monitor how your body reacts to food. Any food that slows your body down or manifests as symptoms need to be removed from your diet.