Celiac Disease AKA Wheat Allergy

Celiac Disease, often known simply as a wheat allergy, is a chronic disorder that affects the digestive system.  It is caused by intolerance to wheat grain (including rye, oats, barley, durum, semolina, kamut and spelt).  It is a hereditary disease whose cause is unknown.  Celiac disease is most common among white Europeans.

Gluten is the main culprit in this disease.  When someone suffering from Celiac disease consumes Gluten, their small intestines become damaged.  The body seems to respond to this substance as if it was an allergen and thus the body’s immune system responds appropriately.  The immune system attacks and the lining of the small intestines begin to swell up.  Tiny projections in the intestines are damaged by this process, a fact which results in the inability to properly absorb nutrients.  People suffering from this disease are often plagued by the loss of vital nutrients and minerals as their bodies are unable to properly absorb and utilize the nutrients they consume.  Diarrhea can further accelerate this problem, as more nutrients are lost by this side effect.

Celiac disease can appear at any age.  Often, when a child is first introduced to foods including cereals, the disorder can be detected.  For other people the disease may appear after an intense period of emotional of physical stress.  In either case the symptoms will usually begin with diarrhea, weight loss, nausea, foul-smelling stools that float, fatigue, muscle cramps, irritability and so forth.  All of these symptoms may also be accompanied by any or all of the symptom which would normally accompany malabsorption, nutritional deficiencies and undernourishment.

While when left untreated this disease can result in quite serious complications, the treatment strategy for this disease is mostly an avoidance of the allergy provoking substance.  Serious side effects of the disease include infertility, miscarriages, pancreatic disease, internal hemorrhaging and birth defects.  It has also been associated with kidney disease, thyroid disease, systematic lupus and other serious disorders.  Because of the long list of symptoms and secondary complications, the disease can be difficult to diagnose.  It is however hereditary and as such if one member of the family is diagnosed with Celiac disease, other members should also have themselves tested.

Tests for Celiac disease are fairly easy, involving an initial blood test.  Researchers have now realized that the disease is much more common than previously thought.  Approximately one in five hundred people in the US are now thought to suffer from this disease.  And while there is no known cure for Celiac disease, sticking to a Gluten free diet makes this disorder highly controllable.

Because of the malabsorption difficulties associated with this disease, initial diagnosis should be accompanied with increased nutrient intake.  A yeast and gluten free multivitamin is essential, as are Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs).  Essential Fatty Acids help maintain the health of the intestines.  Vitamin Bs, especially through injections, will be extremely helpful as injections bypass the digestive process thereby giving your body immediate access to these important vitamins.  If injections are unavailable opt for a sublingual yeast free and gluten free formula.  Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc are also all important for maintaining the body’s pH balance and increasing natural immunity.  Finally, chewing food slowly helps the absorption of nutrients as the digestive process begins in the mouth with the saliva.  With all of the products available, foregoing wheat and gluten doesn’t have to be the end of a varied and nutritious diet.   Rice breads are available as are wheat and gluten free cereals, crackers and other grain products in your local health food stores.