McCosker - 4 ingredients: gluten free, lactose free

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Kim

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, oats and their derivatives. It is also found in grains that are genetic variants, such as spelt and kamut..

Coeliac Disease is an autoimmune reaction, which causes inflammation and damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Those with coeliac disease are intolerant of gluten lifelong, where the only method of treatment is a strict gluten free diet. The exposure of small amounts of gluten to the small intestine will trigger the immune system, resulting in the small intestine lining to become damaged and inflamed reducing the ability to absorb nutrients from the diet.

Non-coeliac gluten intolerance can occur in those that experience the same symtoms as coeliac disease, but test to have no intestinal damage.

Symptoms. This leads sufferers to experience symptoms of malabsorption, including;

chronic fatigue

neurological disorders

nutrient deficiencies

anemia

nausea

bloating

skin rashes

depression, and more.

Research suggests that 1 in 100 Caucasians are diagnosed with coeliac disease and 1 in 20 with a non-coeliac gluten intolerance. However, experts suggest that the true number could be closer to 1 in 5 but many go undiagnosed living with the symptoms of bloating, abdominal discomfort, pain or diarrhea and headaches, thinking that its just life!

For more information and support contact:

Cattassi. C. et al. When is a coeliac a coeliac? Report of a working group of the United European Gastroenterology week in Amsterdam.

Lactose is the sugar found in milk and dairy products.

Lactase is an enzyme produced by the small intestine that breaks down lactose so that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Lactose Intolerance is caused by the inability of the body to break down milk sugar (lactose). People with this condition cannot produce enough lactase to breakdown the lactose.

What happens? When lactose moves through the large intestine (or colon) without being properly digested, the undigested lactose absorbs water and is fermented by natural gut bacteria to produce excessive gas causing uncomfortable symptoms (listed below). Some people who have lactose intolerance cannot digest any lactose containing milk or dairy products at all. Others can eat or drink small amounts of milk products or certain types of milk products without problems.

Lactose intolerance most commonly runs in families , and symptoms can occur at any stage in the life cycle.

Symptoms usually begin 30 minutes to 2 hours after you eat or drink milk products. If you have lactose intolerance, your symptoms may include:

Bloating

Pain or cramps

Gurgling or rumbling sounds in your belly

Gas

Loose stools or diarrhea

Vomiting

If you suspect this may be you, always consult your GP or physician first, as there may be alternative conditions causing your symptoms.

GF LF = Gluten Free Lactose Free

To help a recipe turn out right, you need to measure right. I have included this simple conversion table to help, regardless of where you are in the world.

Water is the most important nutrient in our diet

And often the most neglected!