What is Celiac Disease (CD)?
Celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, affects up to 1 in 150 American adults and is more common in women than men. Symptoms include weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, abdominal cramping, and steatorrhea (grey stools that are foamy and float). Celiac patients have trouble absorbing food, they become very deficient in iron and minerals which then leads to malabsorption syndrome and all the ailments associated with it.
It is critical that Celiacs follow a strict gluten and legume free diet for one year or until symptoms disappear for six months before reintroducing certain non-gluten grains such as amaranth and quinoa.
What are the symptoms of Celiac Disease?
CD may appear at any time in the life of a person with a hereditary pre-disposition. Many patients are asymptomatic for years, with the disease becoming active for the first time after surgery, viral infection, severe emotional stress, pregnancy or childbirth. Symptoms of CD are extremely varied and cam mimic other bowel disorders and even psychiatric complaints. Infants, toddlers and children often exhibit growth failure, vomiting, bloated abdomen and behavioral changes.
- Classic symptoms may include:
abdominal cramping, intestinal gas, distention and bloating, chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both)steatorrhea -- oily stools, anemia - unexplained, due to folate, B12, B6, or iron deficiency (or all)
weight loss with large appetite, or weight gain
- Other symptoms:
dental enamel defects, osteopenia, osteoporosis-bone or joint pain, fatigue, weakness and lack of energy; infertility - male/female depression
aphthous ulcers
Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH), is the associated skin condition characterized by blistering, intensely itchy skin. The rash has a symmetrical distribution and is most frequently found on elbows,knees and buttocks. DH patients can have gastro-intestinal damage without perceptible symptoms.
How am I diagnosed with Celiac Disease?
A person seeking preliminary diagnosis must be consuming gluten. Specific antibody blood tests are used to identify the possibility of CD and are the initial step in screening. Recommended blood tests are: Anti-Gliadin (AGA) IgA, (AGA) IgG, Anti-Endomysial (EMA) IgA, Anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and total serum IgA. It is essential that patients with positive antibody test have a small bowel biopsy (gold standard) to confirm the diagnosis and assess the degree of mucosal damage. This procedure is done endoscopicallly, on an out-patient basis. Hospitalization is not usually required.
Complete CD Nutritional Program
Before each meal:
-Take 1-3 high potency digestive enzymes such as Bromelain Papain+ or Digest Plus
After each meal:
-1 HMF Intensive probiotic 1x3 per day for 10 days, then ½ teaspoon of HMF Super Powder after each meal.
-1 teaspoon (tsp) of Super EFA Liquid after each meal, or can be taken all at once as -1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) per day.
-1 Tbsp Colloidal Multi Mins with each meal (since Celiacs have very low mineral levels and absorption problems, this is an important supplement).
Optional: 1-3 Prancreatin 840 after each meal if you still experience post meal belching or bloating, or if you are over 60.
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