Going Gluten-Free: As Easy as 1,2,3?

Last week was a big week for Gluten-Free proponents:  The City of Chicago hosted a Gluten-Free Cooking Expo, author Susan Gauen offered up her new cookbook entitled “Celebrating Food: 121 Gluten-Free Recipes for a Healthier You”and King Arthur Flour announced it will be launching a new line of gluten-free products, including a muffin and cookie mix.

It seems that everywhere we turn, from our groceries to our bookstores, gluten-free foods are moving front and center. Even restaurants are adapting their menus to accommodate the special needs of diners. At P.F. Chang's, for example, individuals can find more than 10 gluten-free entrees, soup, lettuce wraps and a dessert.

All this comes as no surprise as the market is responding to the increasing number of people in the United States with food allergies, which has now climbed to more than twelve million.   For many, gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, is the culprit. According to the University of Chicago’s Celiac Disease Center, the autoimmune disorder known as Celiac’s Disease affects 1% of healthy, average Americans,  while one in seven adults suffer from wheat intolerance. And while millions of people are living with celiac disease, the vaster problem lies with those who are left undiagnosed, which is estimated to be 97% of those with the disorder or wheat intolerance.

When people who have celiac disease or wheat intolerance consume gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, their immune system reacts by attacking the small intestine and inhibiting the absorption of important nutrients into the body. If left undiagnosed or untreated, celiac disease and wheat intolerance can lead to osteoporosis, infertility and other serious health conditions. As you get older, if left undetected, the risks increase. Though the most common signs include chronic gastro-intestinal problems, depression and fatigue, the symptoms vary and many victims are asymptomatic. Individuals, especially those who have family members with the disorder, are encouraged to have regular screenings.

A gluten-free diet is the treatment that serves both celiac and wheat intolerance sufferers. Though it may be hard to imagine what life would be like without pasta, pizza and cupcakes, there are new tools and resources that can help those who need to manage a gluten-free and healthy lifestyle. Gling.com is a Vancouver-based social media website for gluten-free living where individuals can keep up on the latest medical research findings and find information on food, gluten-free dining, shopping locations and a variety of recipes. Also out of Canada is Gluten-Free.com - a mega superstore that makes hard-to-find products accessible to just about anyone in North America.

Though there are many proponents of going gluten-free, there are plenty who question whether or not there are any benefits. As with anything else when it comes to your health it's always wise to get a second or third opinion from a trusted medical professional.