Living with the BEAST

MEET THE BEAST:

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the small intestine. It is triggered by the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and their derivatives. When individuals with celiac disease consume gluten, their immune system responds by attacking the lining of the small intestine, causing inflammation and damage to the intestinal villi. When these villi are damaged absorption of nutrients from food becomes impaired leading to a variety of health issues.

It's estimated that approximately 1% of the global population has celiac disease, but many cases go undiagnosed. Once it appears it is a life-long disease and it can affect people of all ages. There is no cure, just management by following a strict gluten free diet. This is the only way to keep the BEAST at bay.

Learn more about Celiac Disease.

A FRIEND OF THE BEAST:

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a condition in which individuals experience symptoms similar to those of celiac disease after consuming gluten, despite not having the same autoimmune response and damage to the small intestine characteristic of celiac disease. New research into NCGS shows that people with the condition show an immune response distinct from celiac disease.

The exact cause of NCGS is not well understood, and there is ongoing research to determine its mechanisms. The primary treatment for NCGS is a gluten-free diet. The long-term implications and underlying mechanisms of NCGS are still being studied.

What is GLUTEN?

Gluten is a protein found in many grains, including wheat, barley, and rye. It's common in foods such as bread, pasta, pizza, and cereal, but is also added to many other foods e.g. as flour to thicken sauces. Below you can see gluten-containing grains and their derivatives:

WHEAT

(wheatberries, durum, emmer, semolina, spelt, farina, farro, graham, KAMUT® khorasan wheat, einkorn wheat) SOURCE

RYE

Broker

BARLEY

Architect

TRITICALE

Photographer

MALT

(Malt in various forms including: malted barley flour, malted milk or milkshakes, malt extract, malt syrup, malt flavoring, malt vinegar) SOURCE

BREWER's YEAST

(Malt in various forms including: malted barley flour, malted milk or milkshakes, malt extract, malt syrup, malt flavoring, malt vinegar) SOURCE

WHEAT STARCH

(Wheat Starch that has not been processed to remove the presence of gluten to below 20ppm and adhere to the FDA Labeling Law) SOURCE