Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free information

We are starting a new blog at The Raisin Rack. We will be posting information on Gluten-Free products that we carry, information that we find, and specials on Gluten-Free products that we have coming up. For our first blog we wanted to give some background information on Celiac disease and a little bit about Gluten- Free diets. Please feel free to comment on any of the upcoming posts and feel free to write in recommendations or information that you would like to see on our blog and we will try our best to put up information that we find.

Celiac disease (CD), is a lifelong digestive disorder affecting children and adults. People with CD can not eat food that contains gluten. Gluten creates an immune- medicated toxic reaction. This reaction causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be absorbed properly. Some might be wondering what gluten is; Gluten is the common name for grains that are harmful to people living with Celiac disease. The proteins are found in different forms of wheat. The cause of Celiac disease, or gluten sensitivity is unknown. 1 out of 133 people in the United States are affected with Celiac disease(www.celiac.org).

According to the October 2006 copy of Practical Gastroenterology, there are many grains that are gluten- free and three grains that are considered gluten containing. The three grains that people with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity want to stay away from are 1). Barley, 2)Rye, 3)Wheat. The grains that are Gluten free are 1) Amaranth*, 2)Buckwheat*, 3)Corn, 4)Millet, 5)Oats**
*Not a true cereal grain
**High risk of Gluten contamination.

There is also a theory that gluten-free diets along with casein-free diets(no milk protein) are to help children with autism. There are some theories that say eating gluten leads to high levels of protein by-products called gluteomophines, in some children with autism. These by-products may then affect behavior like a drug would. In certain children, gluteomophines could reduce their desire fr social interaction, block pain messages, and increase confusion. If gluten is taken out of the diet, the idea is that the levels of gluteomophine will reduce and behavior will improve (www.autismweb.com/diet).

For more information about gluten-free or Celiac disease please go to www.celiac.org. Also make sure to do research and consult with your doctor before starting any new program.