What is celiac?
Celiac disease is a hereditary autoimmune multisystem disorder that is identified by a simple blood test, and confirmed with a simple endoscopy. It occurs on every continent, in every population.
When "gluten" is eaten, the immune system behaves abnormally, and attacks the gluten as if it was a poison or infection invading the body. Gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, and is known to be the trigger ingredient.
Hence, the treatment for celiac is... a gluten-free diet.
The immune system attack on gluten actually causes damage to the digestive system, which impairs the body's ability to absorb nutrients and properly break down and fully digest food.
This type of attack is the behavior of the autoimmune process. There are over 80 autoimmune diseases, and at least 23 million Americans have one or more.
Celiac will cause nutritional deficiency, until all gluten is eliminated and the digestive process is restored to normal. ALL food, drink, and medication must be GLUTEN-FREE, to eliminate the attacks that damage the body's ability to absorb nutritients.
ANY product or ingredient made from these grains or are in contact with these grains, in any form, must be avoided.
Meat, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, fruit & vegetables, roots, rice, corn, and other grains - are all gluten-free!
They are safe to eat, as long as they are carefully prepared, and not contaminated either by adding ingredients with gluten, or by coming into contact with equipment or food containing gluten.
Following the diet requires confirming that food ingredients and method of preparation are safely gluten-free. Depending on personal strategy, this can be easy.
Changes to a food product recipe or preparation happen all the time, by the manufacturer. Knowing the CURRENT status of a food is important.
Routine check-ups should include:
Monitoring of immune system and digestive system for healthy functioning
Restoration and replenishment of nutritional, endocrinologic and other health deficits.
After diagnosis, especially for teens and adults:
ALL previously diagnosed conditions, and particularly when medication is prescribed, must be re-evaluated and then carefully monitored for changes and adjustments.
These conditions might include: thyroid disease, depression, ADHD, osteoporosis, diabetes, chronic pain, inflammation, heartburn, acid reflux, heart disease, autoimmune disease, high cholesterol and high or low blood pressure, just to name a few.
All prior prescribed and over-the-counter medication and medical treatments should be re-evaluated, since medication ingestion and absorption will change as the body heals.
Untreated Celiac
Malnutrition and malabsorption may affect every system of the body.
The immune system reaction to gluten causes digestive malfunctioning.
It damages digestive muscles, intestinal lining, blood vessels, and other parts and functions which are supposed to move food normally through the body.
This damage causes malnutrition. Malnutrition creates further digestive and other organ difficulties. As an example, malnutrition interferes with production of the enzymes that break down proteins and other particles of foods.
Failure to break down food is dangerous. Unprocessed nutrient particles can leak into the bloodstream and cause serious health problems of their own - throughout the body.
In other words, the inability of the body to absorb and distribute nutrients causes deficiencies in digestive enzymes, interferes with the body's ability to heal and grow, and creates imbalances which cause further illnesses.
Lack of proper energy and nutrition can cause problems with staying healthy and germ resistance, vision, and fitness. Poor nutrition can lead to muscle degeneration or weakened skeletal problems - which may lead to injuries and accidents that would not occur otherwise.
Systems that support learning, memory, social behavior, activity level, and other normal mental and emotional wellbeing, are strained and nutrient-deprived, which can create imbalances.
This digestive malfunctioning can lead to cancers, lung, heart and blood diseases, orthopedic and neurological dysfunction, and other health problems.
It is important that a doctor monitors the progessive recovery of good nutrient absorption and healthy digestive function. Also, any other symptoms should be noted and monitored - such as muscle weakness, joint problems, fatigue, and so on. The gluten-free diet, and the healing and strengthening of nutritional health, and monitoring and support, are all part of the gluten-free lifestyle.
Gluten-free Lifestyle
Celiac affects 1% of the population globally.
There are other conditions that are said to be improved by this diet as well. Some medical knowledge indicates that the number of people affected by the gluten-free diet could approach 15% of the global population, as research continues.
See Related health conditions and Do the Celiac Test If...
What is Gluten Intolerance?
Gluten intolerance is a serious medical condition sharing many of the symptoms associated with celiac disease, which are alleviated with the gluten-free lifestyle as treatment. There are other conditions for which the diet is prescribed, such as arthritis and autism.
It is important to be tested for celiac BEFORE any elimination of gluten. Medical testing for celiac is less effective after a gluten-free diet is started.