Glossary

Oats:

Although oats have been traditionally been considered to be toxic in CD, recent research suggests this may not be true after all. Several recent studies have found that short-term use of moderate amounts of pure oats did not cause any damage in the intestine in people with CD. But commercially available oats are typically contaminated with wheat. The effects of consuming commercial oats have not been thoroughly studied. And the safety of long term or large doses of oats is not yet known. For these reasons, North American celiac support groups and the medical community generally do not recommend the use of oats in the gluten-free diet. If uncontaminated oats became available, and you decided to add some to your diet, do so only after your intestine has healed entirely. Be certain to alert your doctor and dietitian before you begin, as they may want to obtain initial and follow-up blood work to monitor your antibody levels. Also, keep in mind that some people may be sensitive or allergic to oats, just as they may be to any other foods.