Help For Those with Celiac Disease

Over 1% of U.S., residents have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, and many more people suffer from symptoms that have not yet been diagnosed. The autoimmune disease affects people of all ages. Those with Celiac Disease can significantly improve their condition by switching to a gluten free lifestyle. Since gluten is a protein found in high fiber grains, some people worry about how they can get enough fiber while eating gluten free foods. Thankfully, many G/F products on the market are designed to give someone the amount of fiber they need in their diet.

Autism Research Shows Benefits of Gluten Free Diet

Autism is a complex condition that seriously affects the life of many children and adults. Many autistic children suffer from gastrointestinal problems. Some researchers, doctors and parents believe that removing gluten from the child’s diet not only improves gastrointestinal difficulties, but it also improves other symptoms of autism. Studies on children with autism have shown that certain kids have markedly improved symptoms after eliminating gluten from their diet. Research shows that some autistic children experience a small amount of improvement in behavior and speech after their diet is changed. In some cases, autistic children have experienced significant improvement and in rare cases have overcome autism entirely. Dairy products and foods with chemical additives are also commonly removed from the diet along with gluten. Since only one type of food should be eliminated at a time in order to pinpoint problem foods, parents of children with autism should seek their doctor’s advice before starting a food elimination diet plan. Many books and websites offer fantastic nutritional advice on the subject of kid’s gluten free diets.

This disease has been proven to be passed down genetically. Therefore, if you have it, it is likely that you may pass it on to your kids. A strict, 100 percent gluten free lifestyle will take care of the problem, but it can be difficult, especially for children. Many foods are made with ingredients that contain gluten, but it is rarely specifically noted. Yogurt, peanut butter and jelly, string cheese, Three Musketeers candy bars, and Skittles are some good examples of fun, gluten free foods for kids. It is also important to find suitable foods to boost your fiber intake because high fiber foods frequently contain gluten. So, many with celiac disease often do not get enough fiber in their diet. A great source of information on safe foods and foods to avoid for those with celiac disease can be found at http://gicare.com/Diets/Gluten-Free.aspx.

Implementing a gluten free diet is becoming widely accepted as a means of therapy for kids with autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). While not often medically recommended, success stories from parents who have tried this are increasingly popping up. Autism and ADHD share similar symptoms of impulsive behavioral characteristics and a general lack of focus. There is some evidence that a balanced and healthy G/F diet can help to reduce these symptoms in children.

The reason some foods are now prepared as Gluten Free is because enough people have developed a sensitivity to the compound. This has made way for a gluten free diet to be recommended by some Doctors to their patients. In fact, celiac disease is a known result of gluten protein found in wheat. The protein is modified in the small intestine where an inflammatory reaction can occur.

Some Doctors even think that gluten takes part in autism. Children diagnosed with autism are typically placed on a gluten free diet. However, the various study results of such a diet have been inconclusive. Members of the medical profession believe that the study groups have been too small to show a real indication of whether or not this sort of diet actually helped kids at all.

Most people think that if they are to move towards a gluten free diet, that they will ultimately risk giving up dietary fiber. This is not true. Alternate sources of fiber can also be found in buckwheat, soybeans and nut flour. Oats, typically being classified as gluten free, may not always be. Usually the way oats are processed with other grains can lead to some contamination.

As with any diet, one that is gluten free must also be part of an over-all diet plan that is safe and healthy. It is recommended that you consult your Doctor in regards to any dietary change you decide to make. He or she will ultimately be able to assist you with choosing the correct components.

Celiac disease is a genetic condition that causes gluten proteins to harm the lining of the small intestine, and this prevents nutrients from being properly absorbed, leading to malnourishment. Obviously, a gluten free, or G/F, diet is essential to managing this disease. Kids who are diagnosed with celiac disease should immediately switch to a gluten free lifestyle. These children will need to find alternative sources of fiber, since they will no longer be consuming many high-fiber foods.

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects a child's ability to communicate and interact. Some parents have begun trying diets free of gluten for their autistic children, and there are reports that this has reduced some of the symptoms of autism. While there has been little research done to confirm the effectiveness of this method, it could have merit. The theory is that autistic children may have sensitivities to gluten that worsen their symptoms. If this is true, then eliminating the gluten would ease symptoms.

There has also been talk of using gluten free diets to treat kids with ADHD, a behavioral disorder. While no direct link has been found between ADHD and gluten, some cases of celiac disease or gluten sensitivity in children have actually been misdiagnosed as ADHD. This occurs because celiac disease can cause neurological symptoms that are very similar to symptoms of ADHD. If symptoms improve after switching to a diet without gluten, then it is possible that the child does not actually suffer from ADHD, but from another problem that has gone unrecognized.

In any of these cases, a gluten free diet is likely to be beneficial. In the case of celiac disease, it is quite necessary. For children with autism and ADHD, it is certainly worth looking into. A simple switch in diet could make all the difference.