| Celiac Disease, celiac sprue or gluten sensitive | | | | weakness, infertility - both male and female, |
| enteropathy is an autoimmune disorder of the | | | | depression, irritability, behavioral changes, muscle |
| small intestines. In our bodies, the small intestine is | | | | cramps, seizures or digestive disorders. |
| responsible for the absorption of the foods we | | | | Although there is no cure for celiac disease there |
| eat. When someone with Celiac Disease ingests | | | | are a number of natural and alternative health |
| foods that contain gluten, the body produces | | | | remedies you can incorporate into your life to help |
| antibodies that attack the small intestines and in | | | | restore health and eliminate further damage to |
| particularly the villi. | | | | the intestinal tract. |
| The villi are tiny hair-like projections that line the | | | | Recommendations For Wellness |
| small intestine that allow nutrients to be absorbed | | | | Adhere to a gluten-free diet. Avoid foods that |
| into the blood stream. Without healthy villi, the | | | | contain grains, including wheat, spelt, kamut, |
| body is unable to absorb the proteins, | | | | einkorn, faro, rye, barley and triticale. Make it a |
| carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals we | | | | habit to read all food labels and learn to identify |
| need, regardless of how much we eat or how | | | | ingredients that may contain hidden gluten. When |
| high the quality foods we eat are. Without our | | | | adhering to a gluten-free diet, most people begin |
| ability to absorb nutrients, over time, it can lead | | | | to experience improvements in their symptoms |
| to malnutrition and/or secondary health concerns. | | | | within a few weeks. |
| The cause of celiac disease is unknown but it is | | | | Avoid milk and milk products until your symptoms |
| thought to have a genetic association. It can | | | | have started to clear. Individuals with celiac |
| appear at any time in a person's life, but has been | | | | disease often find themselves lactose intolerant as |
| known to be triggered for the first time after | | | | well. Over time, dairy products can slowly be |
| pregnancy, childbirth, surgery or severe emotional | | | | reintroduced into the diet. |
| stress. Because of it's potential genetic association, | | | | Have your bone density checked. It is very |
| it is strongly suggested that family members of | | | | common for individuals with celiac disease to |
| individuals diagnosed with celiac disease take a | | | | experience bone loss and osteoporosis. |
| simple antibody test to rule it out, even if they | | | | Take a high quality vitamin and mineral |
| have no symptoms. | | | | supplement to help restore any nutritional |
| Recognizing celiac disease can be difficult because | | | | deficiencies that may be present. Be careful to |
| many of the symptoms are similar to other | | | | ensure that the supplements you are taking don't |
| diseases and disorders. Because of this, it is | | | | contain hidden gluten. Many companies, for |
| commonly misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. Some | | | | example, use wheat starch as a binding agent in |
| common symptoms of celiac disease can include | | | | tablets and capsules. |
| abdominal cramping, intestinal gas, bloating, chronic | | | | Supplementing with colostrum and other probiotics |
| diarrhea or constipation, fatty stools, anemia, | | | | can help to heal the lining of the intestinal tract. |
| weight loss or weight gain. | | | | Add a digestive enzyme to your health routine. |
| Because of its interference with our body's ability | | | | Studies have shown that people with celiac |
| to absorb nutrition, conditions associated with | | | | disease often do not produce sufficient amounts |
| nutritional deficiencies such as anemia, | | | | of pancreatic enzymes. |
| osteoporosis, or vitamin K deficiency can occur. | | | | Fish oils, such as those found in omega 3 oil has |
| Other more varied symptoms can include dental | | | | been shown to help reduce inflammation of the |
| enamel defects, bone or joint pain, fatigue, | | | | intestinal lining. |