Not glue - gluten! It's in bread, a slice of pizza, or a bowl of cereal. Gluten (say: gloo-tin) is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley - grains in everyday foods. Eating gluten can cause a reaction and those with this problem likely has celiac (say: see-lee-ak) disease.

The small intestine is lined with villi (say: vih-lie), which are microscopic, finger-like projections that absorb nutrients into the body. Those with celiac disease experience an immune system reaction from eating gluten and the body starts damaging and destroying the villi. Without villi, a person's body can't absorb vitamins and nutrients from food. Even if the person is eating a lot, he or she might still lose weight and might develop anemia (say: uh-nee-me-uh) from not absorbing enough iron.

Gluten-Free Tips

Xanthan Gum adds moisture and helps bind ingredients. It is a welcome addition to bread recipes with gluten-free flours, and is available at Martha's.

Besides commercially prepared Egg Replacer, Flaxseed can be used as an egg substitution. Mixing one tablespoon ground flaxseed with two tablespoons warm water for each egg. Let it sit after adding. If you are soy tolerant, add one half teaspoon lecithin to this mixture plus one teaspoon baking powder to help the leavening process. When substituting this mixture for a regular egg, add one extra.

Coconut milk is a good substitute for cow and soy milk

Celiac disease is a chronic digestive disorder caused by a hereditary intolerance to gluten. Gluten is a component of wheat (including durum, semolina and spelt), rye, barley, oats, and related grain hybrids such a triticle and kamut.

The first signs are usually diarrhea, weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. Other symptoms can include nausea, abdominal swelling, depression, fatigue, irritablitiy, muscle cramps, and joint and/or bone pain. There is no known cure for celiac disease, but it can be controlled by lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet.

Martha's stocks a wide selection of gluten-free items including breads and bread mixes, pasta, crackers, cereals, flours, cookies and baking mixes. Snack items such as granola bars and candy bars are also available. Pamelas, Gluten Free Pantry, Tinkyada, EnerG Foods, Namaste, Enjoy Life and Kinnikinick Foods are a few of the brand names that you'll find on the shelves.

For more information visit www.celiacsociety.com