How To Avoid Cross Contamination At Home

Cross contamination is important to avoid at all times. Even
the slightest crumb can cause a reaction.  Here are some tips
to avoid cross contamination at home.

• Use a separate cutting board for bread items
• Thoroughly clean pots and pans between uses.
• Always use a separate toaster.
• Use a different frying pan.
• Keep all gluten free items in same area.
• Use your own cream cheese or/and butter.
• Label all your gluten free foods.

Those are just a few ways to avoid cross contamination

at home.

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Secret Places Gluten Hides

Here is a list of foods that may seem gluten free, but
may contain gluten.

• Communion wafer
• Matzo
• Licorice
• Pringles
• Doritos(some flavors are gluten free)
• Worcestershire sauce
• Broths
• Soups
• Soy sauce
• Some gums
• Play Doh
• Malt vinegar
• Medications and vitamins

When in doubt, always read the label!!!!!!!!!

Lactose Free Diet

Some but not all patients with Celiac are lactose
intolerant.  A lactose free diet is not usually
recommended unless there is an obvious lactose
issue.  This varies person to person.  Many patients
are have a lactose intolerance when first
going gluten free.  Over time many people start
tolerating lactose again. 

Oats

Oats are considered to be gluten free.  The contamination
issue can be avoided by using oats that are labeled certified
gluten free.
Before introducing gluten free oats, Celiac disease should be
well controlled on a gluten free diet.  Oats add fiber and
nutrition to the diet.  Due to the fiber content, they may
cause gas and a change in stool pattern.  These symptoms
should resolve over time.

Supplements

Specific vitamins that are both gluten free and
contain regular daily required amounts of vitamins
are recommended.  Excessive quantities of vitamins
may be toxic.  Especially fat soluble ones (ADEK).
In addition as mentioned before, calcium is recommended
because of reduced bone density.  This is common in
people with Celiac disease.

Osteoporosis And Celiac Disease

Osteoporosis is when your bones become soft and
brittle.  This is sometimes associated with calcium
deficiency.  It can also be associated with Celiac
disease as the gut damage can lead to malabsorption
of calcium.  Diagnosis can be determined by your
doctor.
To help minimize the risk of developing osteoporosis
you can try and consume 1000 mg of calcium a day.
It can also help to exercise and avoid too much alcohol
and tobacco.
Foods high in calcium include dairy, eggs and fish.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Many people with gluten intolerance develop a
chronic disease of the skin called dermatitis
herpetiformis DH).  Patches of itchy raised spots
appear and frequently become blisters resembling
herpes.  They usually appear symmetrically on the
body, for example on both elbows or knees.  However
it can appear anywhere on the body. 

Everyone with DH is considered to have celiac disease,
even if the results of the biopsy in the small intestine may
be normal.  In these cases, DH is a classical sign of gluten
sensitivity.

Forms Of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is classified into two main types-
classical or atypical.  Classical includes those
with predominant gastrointestinal symptoms
including diarrhea.  While the "atypical" form
includes those with anemia, osteoporosis, and
other manifestations including those who are
asymptomatic or picked up through screening.
Gluten sensitivity in individuals with DH is
manifested by an intensely itch blistering rash.

What Causes Celiac Disease

Celiac disease occurs as a result of genetic factors,
gluten, and other environmental factors.  The genes
necessary for the disease to occur include HLA DQ2
or DQ8.  However, these genes are common, occurring
in about 30% of the general population.
Celiac disease may develop at any age from infancy
to old age and occurs equally in males and females.
Who is at risk for developing the disease? Anyone is at risk
for developing the disease, the risk increases if you have the
following:

• Relatives of those with celiac
• Those with type 1 diabetes
• Those with Autoimmune thyroid disease
• Those with down syndrome or turner syndrome