The inability to consume gluten can cause a whole host of health issues.  Most people are aware that gluten is found in items like certain flours. Wheat, rye and barley-based flours all contain gluten, but food is not the only thing you have to pay attention to if you are on a gluten-free diet.

You may find some of the other items, that contain gluten, quite surprising.

Things to watch out for:

One of the key issues, when being gluten free, is being able to detect products that may contain gluten. Reading labels on every item you consume is important. In many cases, the gluten is identified in the inactive ingredient (binders and fillers) list, but it’s a matter of learning what those ingredients are.

3 non-food groups of items, that may include gluten, include:

1. Medication (prescription and over-the-counter).
2. Vitamin and mineral supplements.
3. Cosmetics and toiletries.

Medication can contain gluten, which is used to keep the tablets together and is also used as a filler in capsules.  In most cases, it is not listed in the ingredients as “gluten” because the gluten is a part of another product like “maltodextrin.”  In addition, terms like “pregelantized starch,” “dextrin,” or “dextrate” are some other common compounds used in medication that also contain gluten.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require drug companies to list gluten as an ingredient.  A good rule of thumb is to speak to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure that your medication does not contain gluten.  If gluten is in a medication that you have been taking, your doctor may need to prescribe a substitute medication without gluten.

Vitamin and mineral supplements often contain gluten for the same reasons you find them used in medication.  Once again, it is used as a binder or a filler, and is usually a part of another ingredient that may be listed under inactive ingredients.  Supplements have to label their ingredients too, but laws proving their safety or efficacy are much more lax than drugs.  It is therefore suggested that you look into supplements produced by a company that follows the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) established by the FDA, as this is meant to guarantee that you are getting what the label claims.

Cosmetics and toiletries can be a danger to people that have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.  Therefore, if you are completely cutting gluten out of your life, you should also consider checking all of your cosmetics to ensure that they are free from gluten binders.  Gluten is usually only an issue if you ingest it so you should avoid any lipsticks, lip gloss, lip balms, toothpaste, or mouthwash that contain gluten.  You would also want to choose gluten-free shampoos if there is the possibility of getting shampoo in your mouth when you rinse your hair.

A good rule of thumb is to ask someone.  Ask your pharmacist.  Call the manufacturer and ask.  Be persistent in getting the answers you need.  If you are trying to live a gluten-free lifestyle, then it is important that you know what you are putting in your body!