Why Gluten Free

There are many reasons to switch to a gluten free diet, the main one being Celiac Disease. Celiac disease is a digestive disorder caused by an abnormal immune response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley and many other everyday items like medicines and vitamins. The disease damages structures in the lining of the small intestine called villi, impairing the body's ability to absorb the important nutrients in food.

It can lead to severe health problems including anemia, poor bone health, fatigue, depression and weight loss. There is no cure, and the only treatment is a life-long gluten-free diet.

Researchers also found "substantial evidence" that genes associated with celiac disease may also be linked to many other common chronic immune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. There are also studies being conducted on whether or not Attention Deficit and Autism in children are affected by the consumption of gluten.

While illness is the main reason for switching to a gluten free diet, many people choose this diet for a healthier lifestyle. Most products containing gluten also contain mass amounts of preservatives that today's health conscious person does not want in their diet.