One in every 133 Canadians have celiac disease, an autoimmune condition where the small intestine is unable to properly digest gluten. Even more people have allergies and intolerances to gluten. In addition, one of the most popular health and diet books right now is Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight and Find Your Path Back to Health, a New York Times bestseller by U.S. cardiologist Dr. William Davis.
Today, many people are working to implement a gluten-free diet to increase their health and decrease their weight. A gluten-free diet today is as popular as Atkins was in 2003, increasing the demand for gluten free products. In fact, a July 2011 report by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said that the gluten-free market was expected to achieve a growth rate of 31% from 2011 to 2014.
Given this popularity and growth, I suspected that Ed’s Gluten Free Specialty Shop at Arbutus and West 12th would have had more longevity in the neighbourhood. But after a short stint in health-food-loving Kits, the store has closed. On a side note, if low carb is still your thing, Nature Living Health (across the street from Ed’s) continues to sell low carb products to Kitsilano residents. They’ve been around for years.
Ed’s Gluten Free Speciality, 2827 Arbutus Street (closed), phone and website no longer active
Nature Living Health, 2688 Arbutus Street, 604-736-3003
Image Credit: Yelp (Rachel W)
Last modified: November 20, 2012
Um, this store closed down long ago…
And still… Celiac disease is relevant subject matter.