Coeliac Disease - sensitivity to gluten in foods :
Coeliac disease (also known as the 'allergic to pasta' disease. Can also be written as Celiac) is an intestinal disorder that results from an allergy to gluten.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and a very small amount in oats.
This allergy causes gluten to be poorly digested which then irritates the lining of the small intestinal and prevents the body from breaking down and absorbing food nutrients properly.
The constant gut lining irritation causes damage to the mucous membrane and intestine lining over time.
Many individuals are unaware they are allergic to gluten or that their digestive system has difficulty handling it.
What is Gluten ?
Gluten is a very tough, sticky substance capable of encapsulating smaller molecules such as salt, sugar and fats.
In people with an over-permeable gut (see Leaky Gut Syndrome), gluten can be absorbed intact through the gut wall into the bloodstream, to be transported and deposited in the liver, pancreas, spleen, the joints as well as other organs and body tissues.
It can become imbedded here and start to interfere with the proper functioning of the body part / area.
Due to 'Modern Life' eating habits, whereby we consume a huge amount of wheat and grain products in the form of bread, pasta, cakes etc., excessive amount of gluten can be found in our bodies and this may form part of abnormal growths such as fibroids.
Wheat is the major source of gluten in our diets and modern varieties of wheat crops have been bred to yield larger amounts of gluten than ever before.
This is because gluten assists the raising process in the making of bread, allowing the use of less flour to make the same volume of bread.
Some causes of Coeliac disease are ...
- A poor digestive system with the inability to digest gluten properly
- Food intolerance
- Food allergy
- Long term use of some medicines
- A Bacteria or Viral infection
- Poor diet
- Excessive consumption of wheat and gluten products
- Long term laxative usage
- Intestinal infections
- Protein deficiency
- Long term antibiotic use
- Lack of digestive enzymes
- Excessive stress can also cause flare ups
Some symptoms of Coeliac disease include ...
- Diarrhoea
- Gas / wind / flatulence
- Skin rashes
- Bloating in the gut
- Psoriasis
- Anaemia
- Inability to gain weight
- Abdominal swelling
- Abdominal pain & irritability
- Weight loss
- Neuritis
- Tongue & mouth ulcers
- Low energy
- Low blood pressure
- Lactase deficiency
- Joint pains
Many of these signs may come and go but normally increase after a meal.
Gluten sensitivity may be linked with a number of ailments such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and schizophrenia.
Coeliac Disease / Gluten Sensitivity Self Help:
Most people with coeliac disease become symptom-free when excluding foods containing gluten.
Probiotics, digestive enzymes & various herbs are used by many Naturopaths practitioners to help the patients to maintain an efficient digestive and intestinal system which in turn helps to reduce gut lining irritation.
Due to the poor absorption of nutrients associated with this condition, a high potency MultiVitamin & Multi Mineral supplement should be taken daily to safeguard against long term deficiencies.
* Also read the Irritable Bowel Syndrome page for further information.
COELIAC DISEASE / GLUTEN SENSITIVITY SUMMARY |
- Eliminate gluten from your diet.
- Improve the digestive process.
- Maintain correct bowel flora (favourable bacteria in the colon)
- Increase nutrient intake
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BENEFICIAL INGREDIENTS
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- Digestive Enzymes
- EPA & DHA (Omega 3 fish oils)
- Probiotics e.g. Acidophilus & Bifidophilus
- Slippery Elm herb
- Antifungals
- Alfalfa
- Garlic
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Calcium
- Aloe Vera
- Magnesium
- Zinc
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Page topics: Basics on coeliac disease, improper digestion of certain offending foods, gluten free foods, gluten allergy / gluten sensitivity.
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