The only treatment to Celiac disease is a maintaining a gluten-free diet.  As stated by the New York Times, the gluten-free diet industry has increased at a rate of 37% in 2010 and it is continuously growing at a rate of 33%.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that damages the villi of the small intestine whenever a celiac patient digests products containing gluten which is found in wheat, barley and rye.

Celiac disease being an autoimmune disease means that the body will attack itself when gluten is found in the digestive system.  Once the villi (finger-like projections inside the small intestines) are damaged, the body is unable to absorb the food or proper nutrients into the bloodstream.

Companies are increasingly developing and adding new gluten-free products on the market.  Recently, we have seen more options of gluten-free bread mixes, gluten-gourmet items, vitamins, even gluten-free baby foods and snacks. Gluten-free bloggers are also adding a link to a Gluten-free Online Store on their blogs so that people with celiac can view several gluten-free diet items available.

On the following featured video, courtesy of NFCA (The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness,) Alice Bast who is the Founder and President of the non-profit organizations talks with “The morning Blend” about Celiac disease and gluten-free products alternatives available for people with celiac disease.

She also suggests that if you need to find out whether you have celiac disease, a simple blood test will determine.  Talk to your physician to discuss it.

As parents of a child with celiac disease and a daughter with wheat allergy, we have found many gluten-free alternatives such as using corn flour, potato starch, Almond flour, brown rice, quinoa, potato flour to substitute the traditional products containing wheat, rye and barley. At the beginning it is seems difficult to adjust to switching to a gluten-free diet but after a while you get used to it.

A great source for finding out more information on Celiac Disease and Treatment, visit NFCA website at www.celiaccentral.org.