Celiac Disease: Frequently Asked Questions

Is caramel coloring gluten-free. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not make it easy to figure out the answer.

There is no gluten in envelope glue, according to the Envelope Manufacturers Association. Even so, the myth that licking envelopes is not safe for people with celiac disease refuses to go away.

If you kiss someone who just ate gluten, drank a beer, used toothpaste or mouthwash with gluten, or wears lipstick with gluten, then YOU are going to end up with some of that gluten, too.

Spelt is not gluten-free. It is a species of wheat and is not safe for people with celiac disease or anyone else on a gluten-free diet.

If you have a family member with celiac disease, you may want to have genetic tests to see if you have the celiac disease genes. If you are a first-degree relative, you have a 1 in 22 chance of developing the disease in your lifetime. If you are a second-degree relative, your risk is 1 in 39.

Can people with celiac disease donate blood? Yes. Celiac disease does not disqualify you as a blood donor.

Gluten has been found in breast milk. A non-celiac mother who is nursing a child with celiac disease must maintain a gluten-free diet.

Celiac disease is triggered by eating gluten, so skin-care products and cosmetics that contain gluten aren't a problem unless you swallow them. Learn more about gluten-free cosmetics and what type of cosmetics you should avoid if you have Celiac disease.

If you are concerned about gluten absorption through skin, here's something to ease your mind: Gluten molecules are too large to be absorbed through the skin. Read on to learn more about gluten absorption and your skin.

Refined grains have been processed to remove bran and germ. This processing removes fiber, iron, and vitamins. In other words, refined grains have less fiber and are less nutritious than whole grains. Whole grains are a recommended part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder, not an allergy. There are several differences between autoimmune disorders and allergies.

Gluten is found in all grains. The gluten in rice and corn is safe for celiac patients, the gluten in wheat, barley, and rye are not.

The amount of time it takes to feel better after going gluten-free is different for every person. Some people feel the results right away, but others need weeks or months to feel results.

You can't "outgrow" celiac disease - even though doctors once thought you could.

Once it was thought that patients with celiac disease were always very thin. Now doctors are realizing that patients with celiac disease are not necessarily underweight. Even overweight people can have celiac disease.

What options are available for Christians who cannot consume gluten?

Even if you've had a positive celiac gene test, the odds are still stacked against you ever developing celiac disease. In most cases, doctors say you can continue eating gluten and don't need to adopt a gluten-free diet.