Celiac Disease
By Ursula Mack, N.M.D.
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Celiac disease, is a gluten-sensitive enteropathy. It is a lifetime intolerance to gluten brought on by genetic disposition. The body interprets the gluten as being as foreign object and treats it like an allergy. The way the body responds to an allergen, is by creating antibodies which in turns creates copious amount of inflammation.
The symptoms of inflammation can be aching joints, lethargy, chronic abdominal cramping and diarrhea. The person that has Celiac disease is often afraid to go anywhere because they never know when their symptoms will reappear.
These symptoms are very similar to Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel and can often be misdiagnosed. Since it is a rare disease, it has often not diagnosed in the United States.
Most of the symptoms can be alleviated by staying on a gluten-free diet. The most popular gluten free bread is Ezekiel bread, spelt bread and oatmeal bread. Rye is a subcategory of wheat so be careful and read the labels. The website Authentic Foods.com has Gluten-Free recipes and is a great source for Gluten-Free flours.
Nutritional supplements can also help in the healing process of the gut. Natural anti-inflammatory supplements and high doses of essential fatty acids, fish oils and flax seed oils. Also Bioflavonoids having Quercetin, Boswellia, Tumeric and Cayenne Pepper
It is also important to use Lactobacillus, Bifidus in combination with other natural bacteria to build up natural digestive flora. Potent digestive enzymes are an important factor to make sure the food is properly digested, because indigestive food can cause inflammation. BlueGreen Algae, Aloe Vera and Alpha also calm down the digestive system.
Other anti-spasmatic herbs are Black Catechu, Fresh Grindells Buds, Licorice Root, Rose Hips, Chinese Skull Cap, African Devils Claw Root Fresh Yarrow Flowers, Gingko Biloba and Fresh Lobella Herb and Seed. It is not necessary to buy these herbs separately they can be found under the company Gaia Herbs under the label Hypersensitivy or Anti-inflammatory Formula.
In review, there are many resources available to those who suffer from Celiac disease. Not only is a lifetime commitment to monitoring ones diet but also a commitment to ultimate health and vitality.
|
