Gluten-free, gluten-free. We see it everywhere nowadays. Most people have a relative or friend who are gluten free. What is the cause? What is it all about? Could you be affected by gluten also?
Celiac disease is set-off by consuming the gluten protein and triggers an immune response in the small intestine causing first damage to the intestine and then a resulting lack of nutrient absorption. The body actually thinks the gluten is a foreign substance and produces antibodies to get remove it.
The malabsorption that occurs can cause vitamin, mineral & other nutrient deficiencies that deprive the brain, nervous system, bones and vital organs. It can also cause stunted growth and secondary illnesses.
Symptoms- Unfortunately the signs & symptoms of Celiac Disease are varied and it is a very difficult disease to diagnose.Symptoms can be varied but the common ones are:
-Diarrhoea – on and off-Abdominal Pain-Bloating These can vary in intensity from person to person and resemble other conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn's disease, parasite infections and others. Some have no gastrointestinal symptoms at all.Other symptoms are irritability or depression, anaemia, joint pains, muscle cramps, rash, mouth sores, dental and bone disorders such as osteoporosis and
tingling in the legs and feet. There is also an associated malabsorption that can occur and manifest in symptoms such as weight-loss, stunted growth, fatigue and foul-smelling or grayish stools that may be oily or fatty.
Diagnosis- There are 2 ways to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Either go on a 100% Gluten- free diet and check if symptoms disappear. Or obtain a blood test to detect the high antibody level and then an endoscopy (doctor inserts endoscope –small tube- through the mouth to take a sample of intestinal tissue to check for damage to the villi).
Note- if you start the diet before you are tested, it may throw the results as you might eliminate the antibodies and the intestine may heal. This is very interesting as some have found immense benefits from the gluten-free diet but no positive test results.
Treatment- There is no cure but fortunately once the gluten is removed from your diet, the inflammation of the small intestine will start to heal and you will start to feel better, usually within a few days.
Due to the malabsorption the nutritional deficiencies can be severe, so complete recovery can take much longer. Several months in younger people and as long as 2-3 years in older people.
Diet- Avoiding gluten is the key but it takes some re-educating as many pre- prepared foods contain gluten.Gluten Grains: wheat, barley, rye bulgur, kamut, spelt, kasha and matzo meal. The jury is still about oats but best to avoid.Naturally Gluten-Free: amaranth, buckwheat, quinoa, corn, rice, potatoes and soy-beans.Products that may contain gluten include: breads, cereals, crackers, pasta, cookies, cakes and pies, gravies, sauces (including soy sauce), pre-made mince and more.
What is the cause?
Well no-one really knows the cause yet but here are a few interesting ideas... There are some who believe we are
better off without grains altogether. Those who follow the Paleolithic or Hunter/Gatherer Diet. Dating back to the Stone Age, this diet is based on raw fruit
and vegetables, and meat and fish. The premise, as outlined by people such as Dr Ben Balzer, is that we subsisted on this diet for millions of years but the cultivation of grains and crops is
relatively new - as in 10,000 years ago. Our genes have yet to catch up and therefore our bodies are unable to breakdown and absorb cultivated crops.
This could be a reason why some people are having such difficulties. Another is that grains have been hybridised to yield better crops and withstand weather, pests and disease not necessarily
conducive to human digestion.
It takes some re-educating but the payoff definitely outweighs the initial hard work. You will get to know which products and which cafe's and restaurants that you can frequent and trust to be 100% gluten-free.
The important point here is that if you or someone in your family identifies with some of these symptoms it may be that gluten is the cause and worthwhile trying the diet to check if symptoms subside. Just be sure that you are including all nutrients in your diet and if you have any queries contact your health practitioner or write me online at http://www.tribemagazine.com.au/as k-anan-expert
Sirkka Wolke is a Mother of 4 and a Clinical Naturopath and Nutritionist at Health, Herbs & Healing in Oatley.
