Eating Gluten-Free Can Relieve Symptoms of Celiac Disease

May is Celiac Awareness Month and a great time for me to share some information on the best treatment for celiac disease. There is no pharmaceutical treatment or cure for celiac disease, but there are ways to manage the symptoms and repair intestinal damage. Possible treatment in the form of a preventative vaccine is in trials now. However, the best treatment is a lifelong commitment to eating a strict gluten-free diet plan, supplemented with vitamins and minerals.

Not all people who react negatively to gluten actually have celiac disease. But, the symptoms of gluten sensitivity are similar to those of celiac disease. I suffered from complications of gluten intolerance for almost 20 years. Although I improved my diet to include more fresh foods and a lot less processed foods, I still consumed gluten. It was only when I realized the enormous negative effects that gluten had on my body, did I began to follow a strict gluten-free diet plan. The road here was hard, to say the least, but now I have more energy and greater overall health.

I recommended these steps in your approach to following a gluten-free diet and managing symptoms of celiac disease:

Know the facts

Get tested by your Doctor

Meet with a licensed Dietitian or Nutritionist

Make a lifelong commitment to eating gluten-free

The Facts about Celiac Disease.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed individuals who consume gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, wheat germ, barley, and rye. Over time, this automatic response leads to inflammation and damage to the lining of the small intestine, preventing the absorption of some nutrients. Here are more facts about celiac disease:

May develop in genetically predisposed individuals who carry the HLA-DQ2 or the HLA-DQ8 gene

Affects 1 in 133 Americans

83% of Americans are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other diseases

6-10 years is the average time for a person to wait to be correctly diagnosed.

Symptoms of celiac disease

Celiac disease can be difficult to diagnose because it affects every person differently. There are about 300 known symptoms that may occur in the digestive system and other parts of the body. Some people with celiac disease may experience no symptoms but still, be at risk for life-long complications. Digestive symptoms are more common in infants and children.

Common digestive symptoms in children:

chronic diarrhea

abdominal bloating and pain

fatigue

constipation

vomiting

pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool

weight loss

irritability and behavioral issues

dental enamel defects of the permanent teeth

delayed growth and puberty

short stature

failure to thrive

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Adults however are less likely to have digestive symptoms. Only one-third experience diarrhea. Adults are likely to experience these symptoms:

fatigue

arthritis

bone or joint pain

bone loss or osteoporosis

depression or anxiety

unexplained iron-deficiency 

tingling; numbness in the hands and feet

seizures or migraines

missed menstrual periods

infertility or recurrent miscarriage

canker sores inside the mouth

an itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis

Get tested by your Doctor.

If you suspect you have celiac disease and need a diagnosis, you need to get tested before starting a gluten-free diet. There are many blood screening tests for celiac disease, but the most sensitive and commonly used is the tTG-IgA test. Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG-IgA), is an antibody present in the blood at higher than normal levels for someone with celiac disease.

If you are already on a gluten-free diet, the tTG-IgA test will likely be negative. This is because TTG-IgA levels fall and intestines begin to heal within only a few weeks of eating gluten-free. A doctor may recommend a "Gluten Challenge," eating gluten-containing foods for 6 weeks before getting re-screened.

There is a risk for a false positive test if a person has associated auto-immune disorders such as Type 1 diabetes, chronic liver disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis, and heart failure.

Other tests are available to confirm false positives and false negatives:

IgA Endomysial 

Total Serum IgA

Deaminated gliadin peptide 

Meet with licensed Dietician/Nutritionist.

A medical doctor is likely untrained to advise you on proper nutrition. You may find that medical professionals have little experience with the holistic approach necessary to prevent diseases like celiac. You should meet with a licensed dietician or nutritionist who has experience with gluten-free diet plans. If necessary, you could supplement your diet with a gluten-free multivitamin, calcium acetate, and folic acid.

Although I am genetically predisposed to celiac disease, I have halted it by eating and exercising for my blood type, Type O. "Eat Right For Your Type" by Dr. Peter J. Cooking from scratch is the healthiest option and Paleo Cookbooks have helped me make good gluten-free recipes. I use the knowledge I've gained from Dr. D'Amato's book, substituting ingredients in the recipes and adding spices that are beneficial for Type O's and promote intestinal healing.

Make a lifelong commitment to eating a gluten-free diet

The best approach to a healthy lifestyle is to do it slowly and gradually, learning about your body and what it needs along the way. Start by gradually eliminating gluten-containing foods and incorporating more healthy foods into your diet. Eventually, you want to be gluten-free if you are extremely sensitive to gluten. But even trace amounts of gluten can be harmful to your body even if you don't experience symptoms.

The alleviation of symptoms and your recovery varies from person to person and depend on many factors including:

the length of time you were breastfed as an infant

the age you started eating gluten

the amount of gluten you eat

the severity of intestinal damage.

Your symptoms should improve within days to weeks of going gluten-free. Intestinal healing may take several years in adults but, usually heals in three to six months in children. Once the intestine completely heals, your body will be able to absorb nutrients properly. Be sure to get fresh air, and exercise daily. Even a little walking is beneficial. Also, join support groups in person and online. With help and support from others, you will be able to make a lifelong commitment to eating gluten-free.

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