According to research, about 1% of the world's population suffers from Celiac disease. What is Celiac disease exactly? This is characterized by the body's inability to absorb nutrients or malabsorption. To prevent this from happening, they need to completely eliminate gluten from their diet. But what is gluten and where does it come from? How does a person know if he has Celiac disease?
What is gluten?
Gluten is a composite protein made up of two sub-proteins - glutenin and gliadin. The word is Latin for 'glue' which technically is one of its functions - keeping the doughy stuff together to make food chewy. Aside from giving the dough its elastic characteristic, it is also used in cosmetics and hair products. On its own, this protein has a chalky taste that is similar to that of cornstarch.
Where does gluten come from?
The primary source of gluten is grains so food processed from wheat, barley, rye, oats and others, will surely have them. Example of food items with this protein includes bread, crackers, beer, pastas, pizza dough, ice cream, processed meat like hotdogs, veggie burgers, energy bars, soy sauce, candies like licorice, pastries, salad dressing, and more. When you think about it, most of the food that people eat today contains gluten which makes it hard (but not impossible) for people with Celiac disease to stick to a gluten-free diet.
How does a person know he has Celiac disease?
As of date, there are over 300 known symptoms. However, there are times when people who are suffering from Celiac disease show no sign at all. This makes it difficult for health professionals to detect it. According to some studies, it takes 6 to 10 years before a person can be correctly diagnosed. The most common symptoms, though, includes headache, fatigue, severe stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, muscle cramps, acid reflux, heartburn, mouth sores, and seizures.
Who can get the disease?
Celiac disease is genetic which means if you have an immediate family member who suffers from it, there's a big chance that you might have it too. It is triggered by different activities like pregnancy, surgery or emotional stress. It is not limited to one gender, and can affect people from any age group.
What are the treatment options?
Currently, there is no known treatment for Celiac disease but it can be managed by switching diet. Unlike before, doing away with gluten is a lot easier. Food options are now vast. There are even bakeries that carry gluten-free treats like cupcakes, cakes, brownies and cookies. Hence, it is possible to enjoy a well-balanced meal (with a dessert!) without worry.
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