Hans Cafe Mandurah

At Hans Cafe in Mandurah we have an extensive range of Gluten Free dishes and we understand
anyone suffering from Gluten intolerance or Celiac's disease eating out can be a bit difficult.

Of course there are those of you who have no idea what it is to be Gluten intolerant and it's affects on everyday life, or you may be suffering from symptoms without really knowing the cause. So I thought I'd share these few insights I found on the foodintol website.

Gluten is Difficult to Digest

Gluten is one of the most complex proteins consumed by man - and is therefore extremely difficult to digest. This is why babies first introduced to solid foods are not given wheat. They are started on a thin porridge of rice because their tiny digestive tract can process it easily.

People with Gluten intolerance are unable to digest gluten – a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. In fact in Celiacs this protein actually attacks the lining of the small intestine causing damage that flattens out the tiny villi (finger-like protrusions which provide most of the surface area for nutrient absorption.)

This allows foreign particles (whatever is in the gut, including bacteria) into the bloodstream. Of course that sets the body's immune system on 'high alert' - resulting in symptoms.

Many people suffer from headaches, mouth ulcers, weight gain or weight loss, poor immunity to disease, and skin problems like dermatitis and eczema.  But the common and well-known Gluten intolerance symptoms are gastro-intestinal (diarrhea, flatulence, bloating etc.).

Other diseases associated with Gluten

Other diseases associated with Gluten intolerance are auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune thyroid disease, and cancers of the intestine. It is also a cause of infertility, miscarriage and other serious conditions.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Gluten intolerance can be difficult to identify and diagnose with blood tests and medical investigations.

But it is easily identified with the tried and proven Elimination Diet. Doctors know Elimination Diets work, because they use them to confirm or disprove others investigations like blood tests and biopsies.

No drugs or therapies are needed to treat Gluten sensitivity. The best treatment is to exclude Gluten for life.

This means a Gluten-free diet and the exclusion of all foods and pharmaceuticals that contain Gluten.

Fortunately thousands of new Gluten-free products become available every year.

You don't need a cure, just a different diet. Gluten sensitivity is just the way some people are. Like having blue eyes or freckles.

For your freckles you stay out of the sun.

For your Gluten intolerance you avoid Gluten.