All Is Well Health & Inspirations will present a free workshop, “All About Gluten,” at 6:30 p.m. on Mon., Sept. 13.

Gluten is a binding protein that acts like glue and is found primarily in wheat, but is also present in other grains. For those with sensitivity, its high glutamate content can create an inflammatory response in the body.

To someone with an allergy, intolerance or Celiac disease, it can act like shrapnel in the intestines, creating an inflammatory condition which can lead to or exasperate a myriad of imbalances in the body.

Complaints often easily relieved by removing gluten from the diet include chronic digestive disorders, irritable bowel, constipation, diarrhea, chronic pain in the neck and shoulders, malabsorption, gas and bloating, anemia, osteoporosis, weight gain, easy bruising, infertility, neuropathy, fibromyalgia, ADD/ADHD, Autism spectrum, Alzheimer’s, brain fog and memory loss.

Studies have shown gluten and casein, a milk protein, to be the strong factors that drive the ADHD cycle.

Erin Cox, local resident and mother of two, who has Celiac disease (the ultimate in gluten intolerance), will present the workshop and share her experience as well as info on the difference between a gluten sensitivity, intolerance, allergy and Celiac; the range of symptoms; history of grain preparation; understanding phytates and enzymes; and how to live joyfully gluten-free.

This workshop will offer valuable information, including hidden sources of gluten, easy substitutions and remedies and will also serve as a support group.

Currently one in 133 Americans have been diagnosed with Celiac, and because of the wide range of symptoms and sometimes difficult diagnosis, and it is estimated that the true incidence is as many as one in 30.

Studies show that if a person with the disorder continues to eat gluten he or she will increase their chances of gastrointestinal cancer by 40 to 100 times.

All is Well Health and Inspirations is located at 1029 East Three Notch St.