It’s Coeliac Awareness Week, so we wanted to know exactly what coeliac disease is and what it really means to be gluten-free?
What is Coeliac Disease?
Coeliac disease is a disease in which the small intestine is hypersensitive to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats), making it difficult to digest food. The immune system reacts abnormally, causing small bowel damage. If the condition is not diagnosed or treated properly, this can result in a number of serious health consequences.
Who Does It Affect?
The condition affects people of all ages, both male and female. Those with the disease are born with a genetic predisposition to developing the disease. The condition affects approximately 1 in 70 Australians, however around 80% of this number remain undiagnosed, meaning they don’t know they have it.
However, experts warn about the risks of self-diagnosis:
On the other hand, research has been released today that reveals a worrying number of Australians have self-prescribed themselves a gluten-free lifestyle, putting themselves at rock of nutritional deficiency.
According to these findings, many people perceive gluten-free diets to be a healthier option, however for those who don’t have coeliac disease, they are putting themselves at risk of developing a vitamin deficiency.
As gluten-free foods are often higher in sugar and fats and low in fibre, those who adapt the gluten-free lifestyle without medical diagnosis can place themselves at serious risks of these altered diet changes, leading to deficiencies. Findings found that almost two thirds of people who have adopted a gluten-free lifestyle without medical diagnosis (65%) were unaware their gluten-free diet may lack essential nutrients.
“More than one in 10 have adopted a gluten free lifestyle – almost 10 times the number of people who actually suffer from medically-diagnosed coeliac disease”
Interesting stats:
- 1. More than a quarter of Australians (27%) admitted they had no idea what coeliac disease was
- When asking those who voluntarily follow a gluten-free lifestyle, a quarter (25%) claimed they were doing so to improve their overall health, while almost one in seven (13%) said it was to lose weight
- Almost a third (29%) who claimed to be coeliac or gluten sensitive had not been officially diagnosed by a health professional
What are the symptoms?
If you are experiencing sensitivity to gluten and consistently suffer from digestive issues, headaches or tiredness, it’s recommended to see your GP about potentially being a coeliac. A blood test is usually the first step to screening for any obvious signs that you may be gluten-intolerant.
Rescu. is supporting Coeliac Awareness Week by bringing you a delicious gluten-free recipe a day.
Monday: Flourless Chocolate Pecan Cake Recipe
Tuesday: Gluten-Free Protein Pancakes
Wednesday: Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Slice
Thursday: Gluten-Free Bircher Style Muesli Recipe
Information provided by Haystac on behalf of Amcal, Amcal Max and Guardian Pharmacies
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