Gluten-Free Supplements
“Redd Remedies products are gluten-free,* because we want our unique formulas to be available for the many individuals who suffer from either celiac disease, gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity,” says Stacey Littlefield, Product Formulator and Master Herbalist.
Despite a growing awareness that gluten can cause health problems and a rise in popularity of gluten-free as a dietary preference, a clear understanding of what gluten is and the difference between various gluten-related health issues is often lacking.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a name given to a group of proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale (a cross between barley and rye). There are actually four classes of wheat protein: albumin, globulin, gliadin and gluten.
Gluten serves as a binder, a glue that helps food retain its shape, and it is found in so many products that it makes eliminating all exposure to it very challenging. The variety of names for the many types of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, farina, graham and einkorn) increases the difficulty and effort involved in avoiding gluten.
What is the difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance?
When a person who has celiac disease eats gluten, the immune system responds and attacks the small intestine. It is an allergic response that generates antibodies to proteins found in wheat. The small, fingerlike villi that line the small intestines are damaged, and the body cannot properly digest nutrients. Celiac, which is associated with a number of autoimmune disorders, can lead to serious long-term health problems.
Gluten intolerance is a digestive disorder that does not involve the immune system. It is caused by a lack or deficiency of enzymes needed to digest gluten. Undigested particles in the intestines produce fermentation that can result in bloating, gas and abdominal discomfort. Gluten intolerance is also known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).
Compliance with Gluten-Free standards
The Food and Drug Administration has set the criteria for gluten-free certification as less than 20 parts per million, which is the lowest level that can be accurately tested for using scientifically validated analytical methods.
Redd Remedies tests every finished lot of our gluten-free targeted natural supplements to make sure they satisfy FDA guidelines, as part of our 4-Point Quality Control. Every product we sell is gluten-free, with one exception. *Crave Stop is not currently certified as gluten-free, although it is being re-formulated to meet gluten-free standards.
“Our goal is to help improve the health and lives of our customers, and we want to offer the benefits of our unique formulas to help people who need to or want to avoid gluten,” Littlefield says. “They have much to gain from our targeted natural supplements that support whole-body wellness and health from a global perspective.”
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