By Donna V. Scaglione
You’ve probably been hearing a lot lately about gluten, a protein that naturally occurs in wheat, barley, oats, and rye. Certain celebrities have been extolling the virtues of a gluten-free diet and many people are following their lead. About 25 percent of American adults are trying to cut back or completely eliminate gluten from their diets, says the marketing firm NPD Group's Dieting Monitor, despite the fact that only an estimated 1 percent of the population have celiac disease, which causes an immune reaction to gluten.
Should you be among the gluten-free crowd and start abstaining from cereal, cookies, pasta, and even beer? Here’s what you need to know to help you decide.
Is it celiac disease?
Are you a celiac disease sufferer? People with this disorder are allergic to gluten and experience an overreaction in the immune system that damages the small intestine lining and diminishes its ability to absorb vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients from food.
Celiac disease symptoms include chronic fatigue, diarrhea, excessive gas, weight loss, and a distended abdomen, according to Health Day. An extremely itchy rash with bumps or blisters on the knees, elbows, back, and buttocks is another common symptom. Those with the disease are at risk of infertility, miscarriage, osteoporosis, and digestive tract cancers.
