 NUTRITION
TIDBITS
GLUTEN INTOLERANCE:
HOW COMMON IS IT?
Gluten intolerance was long considered a rare syndrome. New research confirms
that the prevalence is much higher than previously thought. Actually about 3
out of every 400 people have gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease.
Gluten intolerance is a digestive disorder. For individuals who have this
disorder, their body can’t tolerate gluten - a protein found in wheat, rye,
barley, and possibly oats.
Symptoms may include appetite loss, weight loss, chronic diarrhea, abdominal
cramps and bloating, and weakness.
For individuals with this disorder, consuming gluten damages the lining of the
small intestine and restricts the absorption of nutrients, which can lead to
malnutrition.
For additional information on gluten intolerance check out these websites:
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