Gluten Free Diet - Essay Example

Gluten-Free Diet 5 Gluten-free diet Gluten as the implies is a “glue” like substance which is a protein found in the grains that are used for everyday meals. This includes mainly wheat, barley, and rye and its associated products. 

The gluten-containing substances should be known for sure because common food items that we consume in our everyday life which include pizza, pasta, sauces, cakes, cookies, soups, and candies might also contain gluten. Certain sauces as well as wafers and chips are also known to contain gluten. Hence it is essential that before these items are consumed it should be checked if they are gluten-free or not. This care should also be taken in the case of certain medications because vitamin supplements and medicines are also known to contain this substance gluten.

To assist people in finding the appropriate food items for themselves the American Dietetic Association provided the names of items that were free from gluten. These include rice, potatoes, corn, and nuts. It is also known that fruits and green vegetables are free from gluten. To further assist in this process the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) in the United States was created in the year 2006. This act required the food processing companies to mention the name of allergens on the bottles so that the consumer might be sure about the presence of gluten.

The disease states in which a strict gluten-free diet is recommended are known as celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis. It is also known that for children who suffer from autism, it is helpful to recommend a gluten-free diet for them. Celiac disease results due to the disturbances that occur in the intestine when gluten comes in contact with the lining. It leads to the initiation of an inflammatory process that damages the lining of the intestine and hence results in poor absorption from the small intestine.

The patient complains of symptoms related to the gastrointestinal tract which include pain in the abdomen, vomiting, constipation, and weight loss. In long-standing cases, the patient develops anemia which results due to the deficiency of anemia. Dermatitis herpetiformis are skin lesions that occur with or without association with celiac disease. Along with the symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract, a patient would report skin rashes on the skin which can assist in the confirmation of gluten sensitivity.

But there are also cases when a patient just presents with dermatitis herpetiformis without any disturbance in the gastrointestinal tract. Recent research has also put forward that a gluten-free diet can assist in improving the autistic condition of a child.