A complex protein in starchy grains. in particular Wheat,Rye and Barley. Gluten comprises 80% of the protein in wheat. Gluten produces elasticity in dough; allows leavening of bread and provides the chewy texture found in bread products such as bagels.

'Celiac Disease is an inherited autoimmune disease that effects more than 3 million Americans.'

The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center

Celiac (also spelled Coeliac) Disease is an inappropriate immune system response to gluten. It causes a reaction in the small intestine which flattens the lining of the intetstine leading to poorer nutrient absorbtion. This can produce a wide spectrum of symptoms, includlng, diarrheoa,fatigue and a failure to thrive in children.

The symptoms assosiated with Celiac Disease where first noted in the 2nd Century AD by Aretaeus in 'On the Causes and Indications of Acute and Chronic Diseases'

Celiac Discease is not to be confused with wheat allergies,which can be caused by any of the proteins making up gluten as well as a variety of seeds and other plant tissues.

Gluten is attached to the starch in cereals and so can be easily removed by dissolving these in water. The washed-out grain is not absolutely gluten-free but is allowed to be labelled so by the FDA.

The only way to arrest the onset of Coeliac Disease is to avoid completely these gluten-rich grains:

• Wheat
• Barley
• Rye
  
• Farina
  
• Graham flour
  
• Semolina
  
• Durham
  
• Bulgur
  
• Kamut
  
• Kasha
  
• Matzo meal
  
• Spelt (a form of wheat)
  
• Triticale

The following are frequently contaminated with gluten and should be eaten only if it can be verified that they where processed in a gluten-free facility. Contamination with wheat gluten is common with these grains.

• Oats
  

• Amaranth
  

• Buckwheat

• Quinoa

Examples of safe alternatives include:

• Acorn
  
• Almond
  
• Amaranth
  
• Arborio rice
  
• Aromatic rice
  
• Arrowroot
  
• Basmati rice
  
• Brown rice, Brown rice flour
  
• Buckwheat
  
• Calrose
  
• Canola
  
• Cassava
  
• Channa
  
• Chestnut
  
• Chickpea
  
• Corn, corn flour, corn gluten, corn malt,
• cornmeal, cornstarch
  
• Cottonseed
  
• Dal
  
• Dasheen flour
  
• Enriched rice
  
• Fava bean
  
• Flax, flax seeds
  
• Garbanzo
  
• Glutinous rice
  
• Hominy
  
• Instant rice
• Job's tears
  
• Millet
  
• Modified corn starch
  
• Modified tapioca starch
  
• MontinaTM
  
• Peanut flour
  
• Potato flour, potato starch
  
• Quinoa
  
• Red rice
  
• Rice, rice bran, rice flour
  
• Risotto
  
• Sago
  
• Sesame
  
• Sorghum
  
• Soy, soybean, tofu (soya)
  
• Starch (made from safe grains)
  
• Sunflower Seed
  
• Sweet rice flour
  
• Tapioca
  
• Taro flour
  
• Teff
• Wild rice