What is Coeliacs Disease
Coeliac disease is a medical condition where gluten (found in wheat, barley, rye and oats) causes food to be imperfectly absorbed. This leads to damage to the lining of the small bowel. CD can occur at any age.

There are varying degrees of gluten and wheat intolerances. Someone with these intolerances does not necessarily have Coeliac Disease.

Symptoms
The symptoms can vary from none to all of the following: diarrhoea, constipation (or a combination of both), flatulence, bloating indigestion, nausea and vomiting. Commonly this is accompanied by fatigue, weight-loss, anaemia and other nutritional deficiencies.

Diagnosis
A simple blood test for gliadin and endomyslial antibodies followed by a small bowel biopsy is required.

Links
Marx Bakery Allergy Free Ingredients:  Ingredients List  (pdf)
Coeliac New Zealand Incorporated - Website:  www.coeliac.org.nz
Coeliac disease - Wikipedia Website:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coeliac_disease
Gluten-free diet - Wikipedia Website:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluten-free_diet
Manufactured Food Database (MFD) GF Products - Website:  www.mfd.co.nz

Lactose Intolerance

What is Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest significant amounts of lactose, the predominant sugar of milk. This inability results from a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is normally produced by the cells that line the small intestine.

Lactase breaks down milk sugar into simpler forms that can then be absorbed into the bloodstream. When there is not enough lactase to digest the amount of lactose consumed, the results, although not usually dangerous, may be very distressing.

While not all persons deficient in lactase have symptoms, those who do are considered to be lactose intolerant.

Symptoms
Common symptoms include nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea, which begin about 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating or drinking foods containing lactose. The severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of lactose each individual can tolerate.