Do you have Celiac disease?
Do you have Celiac disease?
CELIAQUIA IS A CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE THAT AFFECTS THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM AND THAT ONLY DEVELOPS IN THOSE GENETICALLY PREDISPOSED PEOPLE. IT IS A permanent intolerance to gluten, THAT IS, THE PROTEIN FRACTION OF SOME CEREALS.
The intestine is made up of structures called villi that help absorb nutrients. In people with celiac disease, when they consume foods with gluten, a reaction of the immune system occurs that reacts by injuring and inflaming these villi and, consequently, they are unable to absorb nutrients properly. Depending on the degree of intolerance, the symptoms can be more or less severe. Bloating and abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fatty stools, weight loss, lactose intolerance or vitamin or mineral deficiencies may appear, which can cause, for example, iron deficiency anemia (due to lack of iron), among others. However, it can also be common to suffer from celiac disease without showing symptoms.
And what is the treatment for celiac disease?
A strict gluten elimination diet must be followed for life. The incorporation of food, when the intestine is damaged, must be progressive. An important example is lactose, since we start from an inflamed mucosa that will not allow the absorption of the lactose contained in dairy products but that when it is in good condition, it can be reintroduced into the diet.
Which cereals contain gluten?
The person with celiac disease must learn which food options contain gluten and which do not. Corn, rice, millet, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, oatmeal, tapioca, or potato are naturally gluten-free foods. On the other hand, wheat, barley, rye, spelled or kamut are cereals that do contain it. Keep in mind that the names of cereals in Catalan and Spanish can create confusion, since for example, oats are not barley (but rather oats), and barley is barley. Apart from cereals, all foods made with flour, starch, starches and products derived from these cereals (bread, cookies, pasta, etc.) should be excluded from the diet.
Oatmeal is not considered a source of gluten by itself, although it can be easily contaminated. Old varieties of wheat, such as spelled, may be better tolerated by some people with gluten-related disorders, although it does not mean that they can be generally recommended to all affected people. Similarly, it is not advisable to start a gluten-free diet before medical tests and intestinal biopsy have confirmed the disease.
Bulk or unlabeled foods can be eaten as long as they are gluten-free or non-contaminated. The ultraprocessed products, with more probabilities than containing gluten, are to avoid as much as possible, in order to ensure that this has returned to be valid for the entire population. Gluten can be camouflaged in these products manufacturats, since the label appears in the same way as: malt, thickeners, E-1404, E-1410, E-1412, E-1413, E-1414, E-1420 , E-1422, E-1440, E-1442, E-1450, between d'altres. Gluten conferix properties of elasticity and viscosity, rained for which it is used frequently in the food industry.
What precautions should be taken when cooking?
Proper hygiene should be maintained in the kitchen, avoiding cross contamination between foods that contain gluten and those that do not. It is advisable to prepare gluten-free food first, with different kitchen utensils. When cleaning, it is also recommended that it be done first and with a different scouring pad.
A person with celiac disease can also eat outside the home, you just have to make sure that they know and follow the rules in that establishment and that, therefore, they can guarantee gluten-free food options.
A nutritionist dietitian can help you detect a nutritional deficiency, design a balanced and varied diet without the need to incorporate cereals with gluten and that at the same time adapts to your physiological characteristics, food preferences and lifestyle.
Author: Meritxell Martín Rovira, Dietitian-Nutritionist in Acupuncture Wu Wei
If you are interested in coming to make a consultation to improve your diet and your health, contact us at 93.143.76.94 or at info@acupunturawuwei.es
