Living a Gluten-Free Lifestyle - What Does it Really Mean?

So after doing some online research and maybe talking to a doctor or two, you've come to the conclusion that you think you may have a gluten intolerance.
Don't panic, you are not alone, as you may feel this way when you first get diagnosed.
There are nearly 3 million sufferers of gluten intolerance (often called Celiac disease) in the United States alone.
Since symptoms and severity of those symptoms vary, the actual number may be much higher.
So what exactly is gluten intolerance, how is it caused and how is it treated? Well, according to the Institute of Specialized Medicine, gluten intolerance is "a genetic disorder characterized by abnormal inflammatory responses driven by gluten (a wheat protein) and related proteins from rye and barley.
Clinically, the disease presents in a broad spectrum of symptoms varying from minimal muscle and joint pain, mouth and eye dryness down to full blown celiac disease and correspondent anemia, mal-absorption syndrome, chronic diarrhea and weight loss.
Gluten intolerance is commonly associated with various rheumatologic and autoimmune diseases, including osteoporosis, pseudogout, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus and multiple sclerosis.
" The treatment of gluten intolerance generally involves a drastic shift in diet.
However, the culture shock of a new diet can quickly wear off if you can find your favorite foods in gluten-free form.
For a person who suffers from gluten intolerance, making the shift to a gluten-free lifestyle can be overwhelming at first, but once you find supplemental products the ease of meal preparation becomes much easier.
Although it can be challenging to find gluten-free products, the health benefits, and reduction of symptoms are well worth it.