| A disease called celiac disease is under | | | | baked goods contain the grain protein |
| investigation to show a link between | | | | gluten and the dairy protein casein. |
| autism and behavior. Celiac disease is | | | | The proteins from gluten and casein |
| caused from mal-absorption of nutrients. | | | | break down into a peptide. Foods that |
| The hair-like projections called villi, | | | | can be eaten on a gluten-free diet |
| in the intestinal tract are flattened | | | | include rice, potato, buckwheat flour, |
| from a reaction to gluten. One who | | | | soy, corn, fruit, vegetables, beans |
| carries the disease is unable to absorb | | | | tapioca, meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, |
| essential nutrients from their food. | | | | fish, nuts and eggs. Meat and poultry |
| Celiac disease affects the carrier both | | | | are good choices for the diet if the |
| physically and psychologically. It can | | | | child eats them and does not have |
| cause poor mental functioning as well. | | | | adverse reactions. |
| Celiac disease is often overlooked | | | | A disorder very closely related to |
| because many doctors are unfamiliar with | | | | celiac disease and requires the same |
| it. The results of not treating this | | | | dietary intervention is a skin disease |
| disease over an extended period of time | | | | known as dermatitis herpetiformis. |
| can be iron deficiencies that cause | | | | Dermatitis herpetiformis is a skin |
| other problems. Since only recently, | | | | manifestation of gluten sensitivity. |
| have researches determined that many | | | | Dermatitis appears as a bumpy rash |
| children with gluten sensitivity serious | | | | usually on the arms, legs or buttocks. |
| enough to damage the gut will show no | | | | It can be extremely itchy and may also |
| such symptoms in childhood; it is likely | | | | burn. While there are medications that |
| that there are a number of undiagnosed | | | | can help, parents may consider the |
| celiac children. Treatment of celiac | | | | elimination of gluten in the child's |
| disease is a gluten-free diet. | | | | diet to prevent re-occurrence. |
| Processed foods such as fast foods and | | | | Author: Theresa McFarland, M.A. |