Bi-weekly migraines, constant digestive issues and weight gain were just a few of Jasmine Jafferali’s health problems. At 26, she felt old and tired all the time. A variety of medical tests could not reveal the root of what was wrong, but a trip to a naturopathic M.D. finally did. The cause of her symptoms was gluten intolerance.

“I gave up gluten cold turkey,” said Jafferali, “within 6 weeks my migraines disappeared and my digestive issues got better, too.”

Gluten-intolerance or celiac disease is a common genetic disorder that affects people world-wide. More than two million Americans have the disease, or about 1 in 133 people. Those with celiac disease have to avoid gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Lots of favorite foods contain gluten, including pizza, pastas, breads and many processed foods. Fortunately, there are plenty gluten-free alternatives these days in the grocery store and in local restaurants and bakeries. You can be gluten-free and happy.

What it is, What it does

Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients. When people with the disease eat gluten, their immune system kicks into action and destroys villi. These little finger-like protrusions line the small intestines and enable us to absorb foods. Without healthy villi, you can become malnourished no matter how much food you eat.

It’s a tricky disease to diagnose because the symptoms can vary from person to person and those symptoms could be caused by other diseases. Many adults have the disease for a decade or more before they are diagnosed.

The longer a person goes undiagnosed and untreated, the greater the chance of developing long-term complications. Left untreated, celiac disease damages the small intestine and can cause a host of other health issues as well. Jafferali, who holds a master’s in public health, said it could also cause fertility problems in women.

Celiac disease is hereditary. According to the University of Chicago website, www.celiacdisease.net, 97 percent of the people who have the disease are undiagnosed. If one of your family members has celiac disease, you should consider being tested. Diagnosis involves blood tests and, in most cases, a biopsy of the small intestine. The University of Chicago offers free blood screenings for celiac disease every October.

The gluten-free diet

There is no cure for celiac disease. The treatment is a gluten-free diet for life. That means not eating foods that contain wheat, rye and barley. The foods and products made from those grains should also be avoided. Fortunately, there are lots of gluten-free and wheat-free products on the market today.

What else can you eat? Plenty. Potato, rice, soy, amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat or bean flour instead of wheat flour. Eat all the fruits and veggies you want. And of course there’s no gluten in meats or fish, so enjoy as you wish. There are also many restaurants around Chicagoland that cater to those with gluten-intolerance. Below are a few of the eateries Jafferali has enjoyed:

• Uno Chicago Grill has several locations throughout the Chicagoland area including the ever-popular Pizzeria Due at 619 North Wabash Avenue. Their gluten-free menu includes several varieties of pizza including pepperoni, veggie, and cheese and tomato. There’s also a wide selection of burgers, salads and chicken dishes. www.unos.com.

• Adobo Grill with several Chicago locations features delicious Mexican fare with ample choices for the wheat-challenged. There’s guacamole with jicama chips; Barbacoa-style chicken tamales steamed in a corn husk; and shrimp ceviche with classic Mexican cocktail sauce and pico de gallo. www.adobogrill.com.

• Chinese restaurants with veggie and rice dishes offer plenty of options. PF Chang’s has a special gluten-free menu that will take you from starters through desserts. www.pfchangs.com/menu.shtml.

• If you have sweet tooth, you can have your cake and eat it too at Rose’s Bakery in Evanston which is completely wheat-free. www.rosesbakery.com. You can also order items from a Homewood, Ill.-based baker online. www.glutenfreesweets.com.

As you can see, you don’t have to give up pizza or your favorite ethnic foods. For more buzz on the best places to dine wheat-free, check out Metro Celiacs, metroceliacs.blogspot.com or www.chicagoglutenfree.com, which has support group meetings, educational speakers and social outings to area restaurants.