By Eileen Renders
Celiac disease is not an allergy, it is a gluten intolerance whereby one’s body does not recognize or tolerate white, flour, barley, or rye. When ingested it can cause a high level of inflammation and damage to the intestines, such as indigestion or as serious as pancreatitis.
Individuals diagnosed with celiac disease need to follow a restricted diet that is gluten-free. However, even when a gluten-free diet is strictly adhered to, inflammation can continue to be a problem as this is a progressive disease.
Diagnosis: There are a couple of Laboratory tests that can accurately diagnose Celiac disease, and one is a blood test. Another blood test that is very accurate, and perhaps the first Lab test for diagnosing Celiac disease is the TTG-IGA Transglutaminase which checks for antibodies or immunoglobulins. This disease seems to be somewhat prominent in some European countries and can be passed down through genetics. It is known that individuals with diabetes (another autoimmune disease) are at a much higher risk of being diagnosed with Celiac disease.
Symptoms: Symptoms of Celiac disease can occur at any time, and for some people, it presents with a very itchy skin rash. In Children, symptoms might be diarrhea constipation, or nausea and vomiting.
Nutritional deficiencies: Due to ongoing intestinal levels of inflammation, various nutrients are not always properly digested and, therefore are of little benefit.
Some adult symptoms: Half of adults with celiac disease have symptoms that are not related to the digestive system, including; Anemia, usually from an iron deficiency due to decreased iron absorption.
Loss of bone density, called osteoporosis, or softening of the bones, called Osteomalacia (softening of the bones due to a probable deficiency of vitamin D).
And the itchy skin condition is known as dermatitis herpetaformis.
My recommendations: Include a digestive enzyme that includes a prebiotic and a probiotic to aid in digestion. Include an anti-inflammatory such as Turmeric every day (also beneficial for any anti-inflammatory disorder). Eat a healthy diet, and include a routine of regular exercise.
It is strongly recommended before taking any Supplements or Herbs to obtain your doctor’s approval. Any information found in a Research article is not meant to be a substitute for your doctor’s recommendations. Certain conditions and or medications could cause a negative reaction.
Eileen Renders is a retired nutrition counselor, health research writer, author, and publisher with more than a dozen published titles on www.Amazon.com She founded the First Wellness Center in Atlantic County in 1995 and was a provider for Cigna and United Healthcare.
