March 14, 2008

Now There's Cross Contamination

Just a few moments ago I contacted a person from the CSA/USA San Diego Chapter #57. I got an ear full! I was told to watch for cross contamination and that I shouldn't eat anything that isn't specifically labeled "gluten-free". Cross contamination is the process by which a gluten -free product loses that status because it comes in contact with something that is not gluten-free. Meaning that a place that manufactures flour tortillas could possible have contamination in their corn tortillas even though the corn tortillas don't have wheat flour in them.

 

This is new so now I am really restricted on what I can eat. I'm going to starve! This has to be how people with a gluten-free diet die... They die of starvation!

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What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is a disease of the small intestine. The small intestine is a 22 foot long tube that begins at the stomach and ends at the large intestine (colon). The first 1-1/2 feet of the small intestine (the part that is attached to the stomach) is called the duodenum, the middle part is called the jejunum, and the last part (the part that is attached to the colon) is called the ileum. Food empties from the stomach into the small intestine where it is digested and absorbed into the body. While food is being digested and absorbed, it is transported by the small intestine to the colon. What enters the colon is primarily undigested food. In celiac disease, there is an immunological (allergic) reaction within the inner lining of the small intestine to (gluten) that are present in wheat, rye, barley and, to a lesser extent, in oats. The immunological reaction causes inflammation that destroys the lining of the small intestine. This reduces the absorption of dietary nutrients and can lead to symptoms and signs of nutritional, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies.

I found this information at the link below.
http://www.medicinenet.com/celiac_disease/article.htm

BTW I dont claim to be an expert or doctor. This is information I have found or what has worked for me.