~Celiac Disease~

Celiac Disease is a disorder caused by an intolerance to gluten, or similar proteins in wheat, oats, barley and rye. It is estimated that celiac disease affects 20% of Americans. This digestive disease causes damage to the mucous lining of the intestine whenever food products are consumed that contain gluten. Celiac disease impairs the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, which can cause serious problems because of the loss of vitamins and minerals, resulting in malnutrition. Diarrhea makes the problem even worse. Because of inadequate absorption, food allergies may appear. Celiac disease or celiac sprue often develops in childhood and may be inherited. It may also appear in adults in their thirties and forties. Emotional stress, surgery, a viral infection or trauma may trigger the onset of this disease.

Celiac disease affects both adults and children, and can appear at any age. The first signs of this disease are usually weight-loss, diarrhea, and anemia. Other symptoms may include foul-smelling stools, fatigue, poor appetite, gas, swelling of abdominal area, irritability, cramping sensation, and even vomiting. There may also be a rash on the skin and intense itching. Wheat products have a high potential for allergies, and range from mild to severe. Because the symptoms can be associated with irritable bowel syndrome or spastic colon, it’s difficult to diagnose as gluten intolerance.

It’s very important to read labels when purchasing food, drugs, or vitamins, and checking for binders, fillers and natural flavorings. There may be hidden sources of gluten, such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein, textured vegetable protein and hydrolyzed plant protein (all derivatives of wheat, rye, barley and oats), including some soy sources, modified food starch and malt. Some of the most common food sources that may cause allergies, must be omitted and replaced with millet, amaranth, quinoa, lentils, beans, peas, fruits such as raspberries, strawberries and blackberries. Corn and rice, can be eaten by most people who suffer from celiac disease. People with celiac disease need lots of fiber and foods that are rich in iron and B-vitamins. Eating cultures foods such as yogurt or kefir, adds friendly bacteria to the digestive tract that may heal sensitive intestines. In some cases, it may be necessary to omit milk products from the diet because of a lactose deficiency, except for yogurt. Rice Dream or Soy Milk may be used instead.

About the Author

Patricia is a Nutrition Consultant in the Los Angeles area, and has written many articles on health, nutrition, herbs, and alternative healing.

Celiac Disease

 by: Andy Casasanta

Celiac Disease is a digestive disorder found in patients who are genetically susceptible, with the resulting damage to the small intestine by an interference with the absorption of nutrients. The main culprit with Celiac Disease is a protein called Gluten. These proteins are found in all forms of main stream and non-mainstream wheat products. Such as durum semolina, spelt, einkorn, kamut and related grains such as rye, barley, and oats. Damage to the mucus on the surface of the small intestine is caused by a toxic reaction to the ingestion of gluten.

Effects Of:

With Celiac Disease the villi,which are the tiny hair-like projections in the small intestine, shrink and eventually disappear. This is the destructive reaction to Celiac Disease. Damaged villi interferes with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and even possibly water and bile salts. If left untreated, damage to the small bowel can be life threatening, posing an increased risk of many disorders.

If Left Untreated:

Iron deficiency, Anemia, Vitamin K deficiency, Vitamin deficiencies such as folate, B12, B6, or an iron deficiency, and other mineral deficiencies, Other food sensitivities.

Symptoms May Include:

Abdominal cramping,gas,and bloating.Diarrhea or constipation. Fluctuation of weight(loss or gain), fatigue, weakness, lack of energy, and all thats associated with with lack of energy.

Possible Treatment:

There is no treatment or cure for Celiac Disease. Except for a lifelong adherence to a strict gluten-free diet. When gluten is removed from the diet, the small intestine will begin to heal and general health will be improved. You may want to consider supplementation for any deficiencies. Consult your doctor about this. Lifestyle changes are in order for the Celiac sufferer. Become a label reader. If you are unsure about a certian food or ingredient, stay away and learn to identify ingredients that may contain that hidden gluten. Be very diligent. Be aware that hidden gluten can be hiding in some unlikely foods such as low or non-fat products, deli meats, soups, hard candies, soy sauce, even salad dressings. If there is no label to read such as candy in a dish, stay away, again be very diligent.

Gluten may also be used as a binder in prescription medicines. Again ask youre doctor about Gluten in medications.

Alcohol that’s properly distilled shouldn’t contain any harmful gluten. Research indicates that the peptide is too large to carry over in the distillation process. Beer is a definite no-no. You might want to consider staying away from alcohol altogether (like the author of this site). This might seem drastic to some but our health is at stake. Wine from the Liquor store might bother youre stomach, like it does mine possibly because of Sulfites as a preserative to give it a longer shelf life. Home made Wine wthout any added ingredients in moderation seems to be O.K.

Sometimes Gluten products are added to alcohols and Vinegars after the distilling process and should be avoided intirely. Malt vinegars are not distilled and therefore are not gluten-free. This in a nutshell is what Celiac Disease is. I might have left out some details, I’m not a doctor. But, I am a Celiac sufferer and I know what Celiac’s go through.