A gluten-free diet is a diet completely free of ingredients derived from gluten-containing cereals: wheat (including kamut and spelt), barley, rye, and triticale, as well as the use of gluten as a food additive in the form of a flavoring, stabilizing or thickening agent. It is recommended amongst other things in the treatment of coeliac disease, non-coeliac gluten intolerance, Dermatitis herpetiformis, Lyme disease, and wheat allergy.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is a lifelong, digestive disorder affecting children and adults. When people with Celiac Disease eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with Celiac Disease and cause health problems. Damage can occur to the small bowel even when there are no symptoms present.

Gluten is the common name for the proteins in specific grains that are harmful to persons with celiac disease. These proteins are found in ALL forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn and faro) and related grains rye, barley and triticale and MUST be eliminated

At present, the only effective treatment is a life-long gluten-free diet. No medication exists that will prevent damage or prevent the body from attacking the gut when gluten is present. Strict adherence to the diet allows the intestines to heal, leading to resolution of all symptoms in most cases and, depending on how soon the diet is begun, can also eliminate the heightened risk of osteoporosis and intestinal cancer.

Celiac Disease Quick Facts:

• It is estimated at least 1% of the population suffers from Celiac disease.
• Celiac Disease affects at least 3 million americans with most cost cases undiagnosed.
• The US Department of Agriculture projects that the gluten-free industries revenues will reach $1.7 Billion by 2010
• Gluten-Free market in the US has increased at an average rate of 28 percent per year since 2004
• Many national restaurant chains, grocery stores and food service organizations now offer Gluten-Free menu’s or options.

It's time to include delicious gluten-free options on your menu!