The Importance of Gluten Free Products!

As we travelled the country marketing our products at art shows, garden shows and other festivals and as we interacted with you (our customers) we realized the importance of formulating products that are gluten-free. Our profound focus on your health and well-being is one of the most important tenets of the Nature Isle mission. If you have Celiac Disease, as an estimated 1 in 130 people do, that means, you have an inherited condition that causes the body to react to Gluten as if it were a toxin. This in turn triggers an immune system reaction that attacks several parts of the body, primarily the small intestine.

Knowing whether you have celiac disease isn’t very easy because the symptoms can be vague or varied. As a result many people who have the condition go undiagnosed and many of those who avoid gluten probably do not need to. Approximately half of the people with celiac disease experience stomach complaints such as cramping and diarrhea. Often times, patients and healthcare workers dismiss those complaints or attribute them to other causes. Sometimes people don’t have any symptoms at all, and instead they experience nutrient deficiencies and various systemic effects, such as anemia and weight loss. By the time the condition is diagnosed it often has led to complications, including osteoporosis, seizures, and cancer of the small intestine.

Doctors typically use blood tests to diagnose celiac disease. The test detects elevated levels of two antibodies produced in response to gluten. They should confirm positive tests with a biopsy of the small intestine and in some cases a DNA blood test. You should get tested if you experience any of the following:

• Digestive or nutritional problems that don’t respond to treatment or are not explained by another condition.
• Any condition that is more prevalent in celiac patients, notably autoimmune disorders, cancer of the small intestine, osteoporosis, and seizures.
• A family history of the disease.

• Consult a dietician for tips on eating a gluten-free diet
• Read labels very carefully – avoid foods that contain any form of wheat, including bulgar, farina, kamut, spelt, and triticale; barley and rye; and possibly oats. Also avoid ingredients that can contain gluten, including brown-rice syrup, caramel coloring, dextrin, malt extract, modified food starch and soy sauce.
• Eat out in peace. Ask your waiter of chef about ingredients and preparation methods, or if a gluten-free menu is available. You can find gluten-free restaurants at www.glutenfreerestaurants.org

As you cook, or grill or just simply garnish your meals, remember that Nature Isle’s products are all gluten-free.

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