10 Celiac and Gluten Myths Busted
MYTH #1: If you have Celiac Disease or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, you have stomach issues.
FACT: Gastrointestinal symptoms are common with these conditions but some people have little or no GI problems—even when there is damage to the lining of their small intestine.
MYTH #2: A few crumbs of gluten won’t hurt you.
FACT: For those with Celiac Disease, even a few crumbs of gluten are harmful. For most, a safe level of gluten is under 20 parts per million.
MYTH #3: It’s okay to try the Gluten-Free Lifestyle without doing any diagnostic testing first.
FACT: Doctors recommend that individuals get tested for Celiac Disease before they begin the Gluten-Free Lifestyle. Once you’ve started the Gluten-Free Lifestyle, a blood test won’t be able to detect Celiac antibodies. This means test results aren’t reliable and you won’t know for sure whether or not you have Celiac Disease.
MYTH #4: Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity is caused by gluten.
FACT: Experts aren’t sure. The term gluten sensitivity refers to individuals who don’t have Celiac Disease but whose symptoms improve while living Gluten-Free. But gluten might not be to blame; it could be a different component of wheat.
MYTH #5: If you take a gluten-digesting aid before a meal, it’s OK for someone with Celiac to eat some gluten.
FACT: Certain supplements - such as GlutenEase, Gluten Digest and Gluten Freeze - contain an enzyme that can aid in digesting gluten but these should only to be used in addition enjoying a strict Gluten-Free Lifestyle.
MYTH #6: Spelt is an ancient grain that is naturally Gluten-Free.
FACT: Spelt is a form of wheat and it is not Gluten-Free.
MYTH #7: If you test positive for Celiac Genes, you have Celiac Disease.
FACT: The genes HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 appear to be necessary to develop Celiac Disease. However, these genes are present in about 30 to 40 percent of the general population and only a small fraction develops Celiac.
MYTH #8: The Gluten-Free Lifestyle helps you lose weight.
FACT: Many Gluten-Free processed foods (cookies, muffins and other treats) are made with rice flour, tapioca starch and potato starch, which are low in vitamins, minerals and fiber. In addition, many Gluten-Free packaged items contain more calories per serving than their wheat-filled counterparts.
MYTH #9: You can’t have Celiac Disease if you’re overweight.
FACT: Underweight, overweight, anyone can have Celiac. People with Celiac Disease come in all shapes and sizes. It’s possible for an overweight or even an obese person to develop Celiac Disease.
MYTH #10: Gluten can be absorbed through the skin.
FACT: There is no evidence that this is the case. In order for gluten to trigger inflammation, it has to be ingested. Items like lipstick, lip gloss, chap stick, even toothpaste should be Gluten-Free. Topical products containing gluten, such as shampoo, should be safe, as long as they're not ingested. Some individuals with Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity are sensitive to topical gluten and develop a skin or scalp rash or inflammation upon contact. These people should avoid personal care products that contain gluten.
CarolAnne Le Blanc
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