A gluten-free support resource for South Africa
WHY
CELIAC SAFE?
Whether you are diagnosed with Celiac Disease, Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or have a Wheat Allergy, the fact remains … you can’t eat gluten!
And unfortunately, gluten can be found in foods that you least expect! A friend once gifted me with a box of chocolates and she was horrified when I told her that they contained gluten!
Celiac Safe makes it easier to avoid UNEXPECTED GLUTEN by researching everyday food products typically consumed in South Africa. We also share global advances in gluten-related topics and offer practical assistance regarding gluten-free suppliers and specialists support to our readers.
WHAT IS
CELIAC DISEASE?
Celiac Disease (sometimes spelt Coeliac), called celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Celiac Disease is considered a serious autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people in the UK. The incidence in South Africa is unknown, but it is probably under-diagnosed. No accurate estimates exist.
If you have Celiac Disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in your small intestine. Your body mounts an attack on the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage on the villi, small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine, that promote nutrient absorption. When the villi get damaged, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body (malabsorption). The intestinal damage often causes diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating and anemia, and can lead to serious complications.
In children, malabsorption can affect growth and development, besides causing the symptoms seen in adults.
Celiac Disease is hereditary, meaning that it runs in families. People with a first-degree relative with Celiac Disease (parent, child, sibling) have a 1 in 10 risk of developing Celiac Disease.
There’s no cure for Celiac Disease — but for most people, following a strict gluten-free diet can help manage symptoms and promote intestinal healing. Left untreated, Celiac Disease can lead to additional serious health problems.
SO WHAT IS
NON-CELIAC GLUTEN
SENSITIVITY THEN?
People with Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) (also known as Gluten Intolerance) experience symptoms similar to those of Celiac Disease, which resolve when gluten is removed from the diet. However, they do not test positive for Celiac Disease or a Wheat Allergy. They are in fact, separate conditions – a less severe condition.
The existence of NCGS is controversial because there are no tests for it. It is not thought to be an autoimmune disease and is not associated with complications of Celiac Disease.
WHAT ABOUT A WHEAT ALLERGY?
It is important to note that Celiac Disease and NCGS are different from having a
Wheat Allergy. With a Wheat Allergy, the immune system overreacts causing symptoms that are potentially serious or even life-threatening. Symptoms begin shortly after ingestion of wheat (a few minutes to an hour or so) and include gastrointestinal pain, hives, shortness of breath, lightheadedness or vomiting. A Wheat Allergy is an immune, but not an autoimmune, reaction.
As you can see, some indications of a Wheat Allergy – stomach cramps, diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal symptoms – overlap with those produced by NCGS or by Celiac Disease, so it’s crucial to get an accurate diagnosis.
"My story is meant to encourage others."
KARYN CLARKE
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