Celiac Disease
Celiac disease affects nearly 2.1 million people and according to
recent news reports, many times they do not even know it.
Once thought of as a rare disease, celiac sprue is now
affecting one in every 133 Americans, up from one in every
5,000 just a few years ago.
A major contributor to this problem is Gluten. Gluten contains
a protein called apha-gliadin found in wheat, rye, and barley
that causes a reaction to the mucous lining of the intestine.
The villi lining in the small intestine becomes damaged, which
interferes with the body's ability to absorb vital nutrients.
This damage and the corresponding lack of nutrients getting
into the bloodstream, puts celiacs at risk for other health
problems such as osteoporosis, miscarriage and congenital
malformation, seizures, short stature, and cancers like
lymphoma and adenocarcinoma. The digestive process is also
impaired making food allergies more common in those with celiac disease.
How do I know if I have Celiac disease?
Common complaints would be chronic diarrhea and extreme weight loss.
Most celiacs have symptoms that are far more wide ranging such as:
- stomach pain
- bloating
- muscle cramps
- fatigue
- bone or joint pain
- seizures
- tingling numbness in legs from nerve damage
- a painful skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis
- missed menstrual periods
Some celiacs never experience any gastrointestinal problems or
symptoms, even while the lining of the small intestine (villi) is
being continually damaged with the result being malnutrition despite
an adequate diet. Doctors can do blood tests that search for four
specific antibodies. If any of the four antibodies is found, a diagnosis
of celiac is likely. However, true confirmation comes from a biopsy
taken from the small intestine. Celiac disease has no cure or medical treatment.
What do I do if I have Celiac disease or seem sensitive to gluten?
Keep gluten out of your diet. Even one microgram can cause a problem.
Avoid: Breads and all foods containing wheat, rye, tritical
(a hybrid grain of wheat and rye), barley, oats, wheat germ or
bran, graham, gluten or durum flour, wheat starch, oat bran, bulgur
farina, wheat based semolina, spelt, and kamut. Also, avoid malt
extract and malt flavorings. Hot cocoa mixes, flavored instant
coffee, herbal tea, licorice, alcohol distilled from cereals
such as gin, vodka, whiskey, and beer.
Replace with: Breads or products made with corn, rice, soy,
arrowroot, corn or potato starch, whole bean flour, tapioca,
sago, rice bran, cornmeal, buckwheat, millet, flax, teff,
sorghum, amaranth, and quinoa. Sugar, honey, jelly, jam,
plain chocolate, coconut, molasses, marshmallows, and
meringues would be okay. Pure instant or ground coffee,
tea, carbonated drinks, and wine would be okay beverages.
Most seasoning and flavoring made with allowed ingredients
would be acceptable.
Other essential nutrients for celiac disease would be a free
form amino acid complex to supply protein in a form readily
available for use by the body. Växa's powerful, pharmaceutical
grade, multiple free form amino acid formula Pro-Tec+ will supply
the body with a complete free form amino acid formula. Due to the
lack of absorption by celiacs a good multivitamin and mineral
complex is a must, such as, Växa's Daily Essentials.
Proper digestion is compromised by celiac disease making digestive
enzymes important with every meal. Växa's Digestin taken with every
meal will help to improve efficiency of digestion and help lessen
gastrointestinal discomfort.
Also needed for the villi in the
intestines are essential fatty acids. Omegacin is a complete
essential Omega 3-6-9 fatty acid complex with the essential
lipids, plus phytosterols and antioxidants that are also helpful
for celiac disease.
For more information concerning celiac disease please see the following sources...
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney diseases.
- James Balch and Phyllis Balch's book, Prescription for Nutritional Healing.
- Connie Sarros, cookbook and writer, Wheat-free, Gluten Free Cookbook for Kids and Busy Adults
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