Gluten & Allergen-Free Wellness Event

The Gluten & Allergen-Free Wellness Event of Little Rock

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LITTLE ROCK, AR: ECHO Event Solutions in collaboration with local Support Groups, are proud to present the premiere Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event of Little Rock, AR. on June 21, 2014 at Metroplex (Clear Channel Building) Colonel Glenn Rd., Little Rock, AR.

This event is sponsored by Udi’s Gluten Free Foods, Glutino, and Enjoy Life Foods, and in collaboration with ECHO Event Solutions, who have brought many local and national vendors into the spotlight in cities across the nation. This event will also have a strong emphasis on local Little Rock vendors like: Dempsey Bakery, Green Corner Store.

The goal of the event is to provide a safe environment where people can learn about gluten and allergen free foods and learn from experts on how to do so successfully. Equally important is the fundraiser for Camp Weekaneatit which has paid for several children to go to a safe summer camp.

The event also highlights local and national companies that are producing exceptional gluten-free/allergen-free products that are equivalent or superior to typical products that contain "Availability of high-quality gluten-free and allergen-free breads, baking mixes, pizzas and restaurant menus has exploded over the last few years, making it much easier and more satisfying to live gluten/allergen-free, but not all products are easy to find and are costly.

Our events give attendees a chance to try before they buy. We bring the best of allergen free to the community and connect them to the people who need more options and education." said Nikki Everett, Event Director of ECHO Event Solutions, Chapter Leader of R.O.C.K.(Raising Our Celiac Kids) Charlotte and mother of a 13-year-old daughter with celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, barley and possibly oats, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying villi—the tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine that allow nutrients from food to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much food one eats. Researchers have found that more than 3 million Americans have the disease, or about 1 in 133 people, and that the prevalence of the disease is rising. The only treatment for celiac disease is complete elimination of gluten in the diet. Other conditions that may be improved by elimination of gluten in the diet are autism and Type 1 diabetes. There are many links to celiac disease and other sensitivities to foods like dairy, casein, and soy.

The Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event will occur from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. and will include educational presentations by experts in the fields of celiac disease and illnesses which benefit from a gluten free diet. Please see event features here.

Below are the featured presentations:

Dr. Stephen Wangen - Co-founder and Medical Director of the IBS Treatment Center, and the author of two popular books, “The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Solution” and the award winning “Healthier Without Wheat: A New Understanding of Wheat Allergies, Celiac Disease, and Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance.”

Nikki Everett – First founded R.O.CK. (Raising Our Celiac Kids) Charlotte, NC Chapter 2008 and also Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Events in 2011. Travelling the country, advocating, writing the blog Allergy Free Back Roads, and doing events.

Sema Dibooglu - Missouri native and one of the first gluten free teen bloggers in the US and the world, “Eat Without Gluten”

Dr Betsy Hendricks - local Arkansas physician and author of “Zero Point” who specializes in the treatment of auto-immune disorders

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