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