World Day
Did you know that May 16 is World Celiac Disease Awareness Day?
About 1% of Canadians live with this chronic, autoimmune disease, triggered by the ingestion of gluten. However, 9 out of 10 people who have it are unaware of it.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in certain grains, such as wheat and barley. When digested, the immune system recognizes this protein as a danger and triggers an inflammatory immune reaction, which damages the cells of the intestine.
Since gluten is the trigger, people living with celiac disease must avoid it for life. This is why “gluten-free” products exist!
Your registered dietitian to the rescue!
Following the gluten-free diet can be difficult, especially in the early stages of illness; gluten can hide in different foods and even in everyday products, such as lipstick!
Meeting with a regitered dietitian can help you implement the gluten-free diet, but also manage other concerns related to this disease, such as growth failure and rapid weight loss or gain, always ensuring that your nutritional needs are met, despite the dietary restrictions and nutrient malabsorption that the disease entails.
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Jasmine Brousseau
Registered Dietitian
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Jasmine Brousseau
Registered Dietitian (Virtual)