Gluten Free Canada Winter 2018
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What beauty products are gluten-free?
As the whole world jumps of the gluten-free bandwagon, we hear of many people claiming to be gluten-intolerant or allergic to gluten. However, is this just a fad, or is there some truth to it. Let’s try to analyze.
Firstly, what is gluten?
Alice Bast, executive director and founder of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness has simplified it for us. “It’s safe to think of the word gluten as glue. It is often used as a binder.” Protein present in many sources of gluten can glue the food together and help them maintain their shape. The three big sources of gluten are wheat, barley and rye.
Celiac Disease
Gluten impacts different people in different ways. People with the celiac disease are known to have the highest form of allergy to gluten. They can respond negatively to even traces of gluten in their diet. The symptoms they suffer range from irritated bladder to eye irritation and difficulty in breathing. People with Celiac disease have tested positive for allergy to gluten. Continued eating of gluten by them will cause their immune system to destroy their villi- part of the small intestine that absorbs vital nutrients, which can thereby lead to serious illness.
In early years, Gluten allergy may lead to malnutrition in infants, delayed puberty in adolescents and even dwarfism and weight loss. Celiac disease is difficult to detect in adults, but may cause depression, osteoporosis, infertility and frequent miscarriages. Celiac disease is now recognized as one of the most common chronic diseases in the world More than 330,000 Canadians have been diagnosed with celiac disease. More than 73,000 are children.
Living with Celiac disease is not only expensive but a challenge. Though there are plenty of gluten free options, there may be hidden gluten even in products considered gluten free.
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS): Now there are another set of people who claim that they do not have celiac disease, but are gluten intolerant. Thanks to this lot, the growing market for gluten-free products has surpassed $6.2 billion worldwide by 2018. Most of these people have not tested positive for Celiac disease or wheat allergy. However, they do suffer from intestinal symptoms like bloating, pain and fatigue. Little is known on how much gluten is needed in their diets to trigger such symptoms. Worse still, studies suggest that despite the condition’s name, gluten may not the only culprit causing this. Thus, eliminating gluten from their diets may or may not be a cure. Unlike celiac disease, NCGS does not run in families. 6% Canadians are reported to be suffering from NCGS.
Wheat Allergy
Another condition that gluten intolerance is often confused with is wheat allergy. Wheat allergy is an immune reaction to any of the hundreds of proteins in wheat. Wheat allergy occurs when one type of white blood celln(B-cell) sends out antibodies to attack protein found in wheat. This reaction is spontaneous and can be accompanied with symptoms from nausea, abdominal pain, itching, swelling of the lips and tongue, to trouble breathing, which can prove life threatening. In celiac disease, a specific protein in wheat — gluten — causes a different kind of abnormal immune system reaction.
A person with a wheat allergy must avoid eating any form of wheat, but does not have trouble tolerating gluten from non-wheat sources. Wheat is considered a Priority Allergen by Health Canada. Around 0.6% Canadians suffer from wheat allergy but more aim to eliminate wheat from their diet for reasons of wheat loss and health.
Just like there is no way to separate the genuine gluten-free wheat from the chaff, there is no way to stop the cosmetic industry from coming out with beauty and care products with the gluten-free label! Seriously, why is that even a thing! According to Mayo clinic Dr Michael F Pico, gluten proteins are too big to be directly absorbed into your skin through make-up. The only danger is when they are accidentally ingested.
Sounds familiar? When was the last time you ate your lipstick or felt the sweet smell of your lotion in your mouth? Did you accidentally taste your shampoo while taking a shower? Been there- done that right! Celiac patients do vary in terms of gluten sensitivity, and there is a small segment of people who are extremely sensitive to even minute amounts of gluten and can have a reaction from their cosmetics.
So, if you are avoiding gluten in your diet for reasons other than Celiac disease, stay with your cosmetic brands. For others who are following a gluten-free lifestyle, Glutenfree Canada brings you a list of Canadian and other brands that are gluten-free, and are easily available in Canada.
1. Bellaphoria prides in offering fellow Canadians make-up that is natural, organic, food grade, GMO free, corn free, soy free and the works! They have a wide range of reasonably priced lipsticks, eye-shadows, concealers and cream blushes. They also have four colors of loose mineral foundation to choose from.
2. Green Beaver offers you gluten-free haircare, skincare, body care products and even toothpaste! This is your go-to link for all things to pamper you, proudly made in Canada.
3. Sweet Leilani cosmetics are highly recognized in the Medical Community with Cancer, Burn, Trauma surgeons alongwith the Celiac Community. This gem boasts an overall rare selection of products, such as tinted moisturizer, liquid primer and cream foundation, all gluten-free again. Headquartered in British Columbia but shipping available everywhere. Check them out! http://www.sweetleilani.com/ Pai Skincare
4. Bite Beauty: Proudly made in Toronto Canada, the company claims that all its products are gluten-free and even tested for gluten. The product list is huge, so you have loads of choices.
5. Pai Skincare
UK based Pai Skincare prides itself on being gluten-free and goes the extra mile to ensure their products are made in a completely allergy-free environment.
6. Verb haircare: This US based gluten-free hair care brand is certified organic, paraben and cruelty free, and free of sulphates. Order online!
7. Afterglow cosmetics
This is the only gluten-free brand that guarantees it hasn’t come in contact with gluten via shared machinery. Afterglow Cosmetics ensures every single one of their products are 100 per cent safe for those with celiac disease.
8. Now you can vouch for the safety of anything that you use in or around your mouth . Tom’s of Maine provides gluten conscious people with toothpaste, mouthwash and lip care products that are safe to use.
9. With a take on Sustainability and a strong focus on the healing ability of plants, Dr Hauschka remains a leading brand in the all-natural beauty trend since 50 years. Their products are almost all gluten-free, pending their Soothing Cleansing Milk.
10. Lily Lolo is a mineral makeup line that’s gluten-free, vegan and cruelty-free. All products are made in a gluten-free facility so there’s absolutely no worry about cross-contamination. Their products claim to use anti-bacterial properties that can help heal problem skin.
Other popular brands that are gluten-free but cannot guarantee any contact with gluten due to cross-contamination
Most products gluten free. Read the labels as any gluten would be clearly marked.
No products contain gluten but cross contamination may exist in the factories
This great brand is a safe bet as long as one checks the labels. Gluten free environment during manufacture not guaranteed.
With all gluten free products, this affordable and widely available brand is safe to use.
Better to be safe than sorry! With so many safe options to choose from, you have no excuse! Go gluten-free, go worry-free!
Originally published at issuu.com.
