Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease is the inability to digest foods with the gliadin fraction of gluten, causing damage to the lining of the small intestines.  Due to this damage, the body cannot absorb nutrients well which results in malnutrition.  Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley, millet, and spelt.  Whether or not someone suffering from Celiac can consume oats varies by individual, some people show an improvement in nutritional status, feel better, and have higher fiber and nutrient intake with the addition of oats into their diet while others’ condition worsens.
Celiac is a chronic, genetic disorder that occurs twice as often in women as it does in men, especially those of a Northwestern European ancestry.  It is estimated that one in 250 or 300 people suffers from Celiac, and its development can be delayed by breast feeding.
Sometimes Celiac is misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  Its symptoms include recurring diarrhea or constipation, abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, weakness, anemia and steatorrhea.  Less typical symptoms are weight loss, arthritis, irritability, depression, fatigue, brain fog, bone pain, mouth sores, skin rash, and tingling numbness in the legs.
Traditional testing for Celiac was to perform an intestinal biopsy but today there are many more options.  New tests include anti-gliadin antibodies test, tissue transglutaminase antibodies test, and the most accurate, anti-endomysial antibodies test.  It is recommended that a second test be performed after a positive test for Celiac since none of the tests are 100 percent accurate.  Other tests are food allergy or sensitivity screening to test for wheat, rye, barley, gluten, and gliadin.  With Celiac gluten antibodies are positive.  An intestinal permeability screening tests for leaky gut syndrome of intestinal hyperpermeability.  A test for iron status or nutrient status can also be used because Celiac causes malabsorption of nutrients including iron deficiency anemia and low levels of vitamins A,D,E, and K, and poor fat absorption.  A lactose breath test can be used to rule out lactose intolerance, and finally and comprehensive digestive stool analysis with parasitology determines if there is an underlying cause of the Celiac disease.

Adapted from Elizabeth Lipski’s Digestive Wellness by Sarah Holland, intern for Real Simple Nutrition