Celiac disease and gluten intolerance have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients from food. Gluten intolerance, on the other hand, may present similar symptoms but doesn’t cause damage to the small intestine.
Celiac disease affects approximately 1% of the population, although many people remain undiagnosed. The only treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet. This means avoiding all foods made with wheat, barley or rye flour and any derivatives of these grains such as malt and brewer’s yeast.
Symptoms of celiac disease can vary widely from person to person but commonly include digestive issues like bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation as well as fatigue and weight loss. These symptoms may not appear until weeks or months after consuming gluten-containing products.
Gluten intolerance also presents similar symptoms but doesn’t cause damage to the small intestine like celiac disease does. It’s estimated that around 6% of people may be intolerant to gluten.
The good news is that there are many tasty alternatives available for those who need to follow a strict gluten-free diet. Many restaurants now offer gluten-free options on their menus, and grocery stores carry a wide range of alternative flours such as almond flour or coconut flour which can be used in baking instead of traditional wheat flour.
In conclusion, if you suspect that you might have celiac disease or gluten intolerance it’s recommended seeing your doctor for testing before removing any food groups from your diet as this could mask important diagnostic information needed by medical professionals.
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