Gluten Intolerance
68
Gluten intolerance is a condition that some individuals experience that can be really quite problematic if not controlled. Many go undiagnosed for years until they only finally come to the realization that they have the condition after playing around with their own diet over time, trying to discover why it is they are feeling unwell.
Luckily, as this condition is becoming more widely known, more individuals are coming to understand what it is and learn to recognize if they may have these issues.
Gluten is a form of protein that is found in many grains such as wheat, rye and barley. Because often other commercial grain products are crosses of these foods, they can also contain small amounts of gluten, therefore being an issue. Such examples of these would be breads, cereals, pastas, baked goods, prepackaged convenience foods, condiments and certain beverages.
How To Manage This Condition
In order to manage celiac disease or gluten intolerance these individuals will need to follow a very strict diet that is as gluten free as possible. When they are fully able to avoid all gluten products, then their small intestine will have a chance to heal itself and absorb all the nutrients it needs. In order for this to take place though, a gluten free diet must be followed. Even small amounts of gluten can trigger an attack and cause problems once again.
It is going to be a lot easier for these individuals to control their condition if they prepare their foods themselves because then they can truly know what is going into them. Using products such as arrowroot, cornmeal, soy, rice, tapioca and potatoes are going to be the primary goal while avoiding any wheat products along with flours.
Some other foods that will need to be avoided are:
-anything that contains the words: wheat starch, wheat germ, wheat bran, whole wheat or cracked wheat in the ingredient listing.
-cooked or dried cereals that have been made from wheat, rye, oats and barley
-bread or bread products that are composed from wheat
-couscous
-most cookies and crackers
-vegetarian meat replacement products. Often these will have wheat flour added into them.
-convenience items such as soups and mixes, cake mixes, pudding mixes
-bouillon, some salad dressings and other condiments such as ketchup or vegan mayonnaise
-some blended soy beverages
-commercial chocolate beverage mixes
-beer and root beer
So make sure you take note of any symptoms you may have the sound similar to the described. If you do, it may be a good idea to start cutting certain food products out of your diet and taking note as to whether you notice a difference in how you feel or not. Luckily as long as you are very careful with your diet this is a condition that can be quite readily managed.
What Happens When Gluten Is Eaten
The reason why eating gluten is problematic for these individuals is because it will cause their immune system to damage their small intestine. Their immune system is doing this in effort to try and protect the body because it thinks it has been poisoned. As a result of the damage, there will be a malabsorption of vital nutrients such as iron, calcium and folic acid. The fat soluble vitamins will not be readily absorbed either, causing problems to intensify over time.
There are also reactions such as gastrointenstinal distress, bloating, gas, diarrhea, lymphoma of the small intestine, rapid weight loss, osteoporosis, feelings of fatigue and diahrrhea.
Other names that this disease is sometimes referred to are celiac disease, gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity, celiac sprue (disease) or non-tropical sprue. Basically they are all talking about the same thing and have to do with the body not being able to handle gluten.
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
