Gluten is a protein complex found in grains like wheat (and all wheat relatives such a spelt, emmer, einkorn, kamut and faro), rye and barley. There is also a type of gluten found in oats that is called avenin, which some people react to and others don’t. People may react to all gluten proteins (gliadin in wheat, secalin in rye, hordelin in barley and avenin in oats), or may react to some, depending on their particular intolerance.
Imagine gluten sensitivity as one of those paint colour charts, ranging from deep blue to ‘bluebell white’. Where you are on that chart will depend on a lot of factors: your genetic heritage, DNA, stress levels and general health. At one ned are people who don’t have to avoid gluten but notice that they feel lighter and more energetic if they do. At the other end are those who have autoimmune reactions to gluten, and possibly many other substances too. Gluten proteins can be difficult to digest for everyone, so unless you have a cast iron constitution, chances are that you show up somewhere on the paint chart.
Celiac is an inherited, autoimmune disease in which gluten proteins cause an autoimmune reaction in the gut, destroying the little villi that absorb nutrients and thus often result in malnutrition.
In Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS), people may react to even smaller amounts of gluten than those with celiac disease. The symptoms appear to be more neurological than the gastrointestinal issues that are common with Celiac. The treatment is fairly straightforward- a lifelong avoidance of gluten but it is not complete without the inclusion of right nutrition to help the suffers heal and restore their health.
As I suffered from NCGS, I realised we don’t have any healthy options among the few scarcely available Gluten free versions of bread and cookies which are not even good in taste. Not only they lack in nutrition but are loaded with starch, emulsifiers, additives and preservatives which don’t go well with a digestive system which is already compromised.
At Elan Vital, we believe Gluten Free does not mean compromising on taste or health. While most brands simply replace the allergy-causing ingredient with an alternative, we pack our products with selective nutritious ingredients, ensuring health at great taste! We do keep a stringent check on the ingredients and the final product to avoid any contamination. The proof of our claim lies in our cookies, hope you will enjoy it as much as we do!
Saman Naqvi
Founder and Managing Partner