When Wheat Becomes the Enemy

Wednesday, July 5th 2006

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Increasing numbers of people are discovering that they cannot tolerate wheat and other grains that contain gluten. Celiac disease (CD) may be the silent cause of much of modern autoimmune disease.

Celiac disease is a serious, lifelong, gastrointestinal disorder that can cause a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms of diarrhoea, abdominal distension, weight loss, malnutrition and skin disorders due to permanent intolerance of gluten, a complex mixture of storage proteins found in wheat, barley and rye. By following a gluten free diet, these symptoms can be avoided.

How can you determine if you have celiac disease? A well established European manufacturer has produced the Biocard Celiac Test.

The Biocard Celiac Test is a home test for the detection of celiac disease associated IgA antibodies produced in response to transglutaminase from a fingertip blood sample. Biocard Celiac Test can be used as an aid in the diagnosis of celiac disease, but the final diagnosis should be confirmed by your medical doctor.

During the gluten free diet, celiac disease associated IgA autoantibody levels will decrease. The amount of antibodies will often become undetectable a few weeks after a change in the diet or at the latest in 6 months after a change to a gluten free diet. Therefore you can have a negative test result if you are following a gluten free diet. Thus Biocard Celiac Test is a good tool for monitoring the effect of a gluten free diet as well.

Reproduced unabridged from the July - September 2006 issue of Health and Herbal News, with the kind permission of Health and Herbs International Ltd.

The following products are all useful for gluten intolerance :

All Purpose Plain Flour
Biocard Celiac Test
Buckwheat Pancake Mix
Colostrum Capsules
Corn and Vegetable Pasta Shells
Digest Gluten
Gluten Free Goodies Cake & Biscuit Mix
Gluten Substitute
Inner Health Plus Dairy Free
Molasses Licorice
ProCrunch Bar - ChocMint
Stock Cube - Beef

Related health information can be found here:

Allergies
Diarrhoea
Digestion
Ensure healthy gut function with probiotic supplementation
FOS - Prebiotic Food
Gas
Gluten Free Foods
Indigestion
The good health diet
Weight Loss

Related articles can be found here:

Enzymes: The weakest Link in Your Digestive System

We Are What We Digest

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

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