These grains have been part of the human diet for thousands of years, and most people eat them without any problems. Gluten helps bread dough to rise, and improves the texture foods, such as pasta, noodles, biscuits, breakfast cereals, within many others.
Who is affected
by gluten?
Some people need to avoid gluten due to medical reasons like Celiac Disease or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS). For them, gluten can cause serious health problems and a strict lifelong gluten-free diet is often the only treatment. For some individuals even as little as 10mg of gluten can trigger symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms suffered after gluten ingestion in those with gluten related disorders
Symptoms suffered after gluten ingestion vary significantly depending on the condition and the individual. Most common symptoms can be grouped into:
Gastrointestinal Symptoms: intestinal damage, nausea and vomiting, constipation, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, diarrhoea.
Extra-intestinal Symptoms: headaches migraines, depression and anxiety, difficulty concentrating, mood swings and irritability, mouth sores, tooth enamel defects and skin rashes.
How prevalent is gluten-related illness in Canada?
At least 7% of Canadians are affected by gluten-related illnesses. Specifically, nearly 1.0% of the population, or 1 in 114 Canadians, have celiac disease, while 6% suffer from non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and 0.4% have a wheat allergy.
Moreover, recent research indicates that Canada has experienced the most substantial increase, approximately 35%, in the incidence and prevalence of celiac disease over recent decades.
Living with gluten-related disorders
It's widely acknowledged that keeping to a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet is the primary treatment for celiac disease and other gluten sensitivities. Managing a gluten-free diet isn’t as easy as avoiding bread, pasta and pastries. Gluten hides in many unsuspecting foods such as sauces, spice mixes, processed meats, candy and even over the counter medicines.
Despite all efforts, a "gluten-free" diet is partially effective:
- 91% of people with celiac disease unintentionally consume gluten regularly, despite their efforts to stick to a gluten-free diet.
- 87% of people with gluten sensitivity report accidental gluten consumption at least once a year, despite doing their best to maintain a gluten-free diet.
- 56% of people with celiac disease have identified ongoing intestinal damage resulting from accidental gluten ingestion.
- Celiac disease often leads to significant missed days of work or school, averaging 23 days annually due to related illnesses.
