Celiac Disease
My personal experience with celiac disease and what I’ve learned.
I was diagnosed with celiac 6 years ago. Before my diagnosis I was in bad shape, I remember having 10+ symptoms on a list ready to review with my doctor. I had chronic fatigue, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and body aches, to name a few. My doctor ordered blood work and an endoscopy (a procedure where they put a camera in your small intestines and take samples). It was quite a shock to me to find out that I did indeed have Celiac disease but I am so grateful that my doctor was able to connect the dots. After going gluten free (and eventually grain, dairy, and egg free, too), I felt so much relief. Symptoms that I didn’t even realize were symptoms, depression and irritability, disappeared and the ones that I did have went with them! Along with 10 lbs of inflammation!
The List
This was the list I had with me to discuss with my doctor. I didn’t realize that gluten was also effecting my mental health. Whats not listed was depression, irritability and anxiety.
Symptoms:
gastrointestinal symptoms: diarrhea, constipation, pale foul smelling fatty stools, bloating, gas, and vomiting.
Weight loss and/or failure to thrive in children
Difficulty losing weight.
Mental disorders: irritability, depression, and anxiety
Nutrient deficiencies including iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency and Folate deficiency
Bone or joint pain and/or arthritis
Osteoporosis
Peripheral neuropathy
Seizures and migraines
Infertility, multiple miscarriages, and missed menstrual periods.
Fatigue
Cankor sores
Dermatitis herpetiformis (itchy skin rash)
Dental enamel defects
I have celiac disease, now what?
The dietary approach to aid in celiac symptom relief is adhering to a strict gluten free diet; no wheat, barley, or rye products can be consumed. It is important to read labels of all processed products as many of them have hidden gluten in them and/ or they have been processed on shared equipment with gluten.
People that are newly diagnosed with celiac will have to go through their own kitchens and examine what has been shared with gluten. Replacing cutting boards, old plastic cooking utensils and tupperware, toasters/toaster ovens and scratched or damaged cookware are essential in creating a gluten free space in the kitchen. Thoroughly clean larger appliances such as mixers, food processors, and ovens. Some people keep their GF kitchenware separate from the gluten eating populations kitchenware and some people transform their homes to be all gluten free. Thats a decision to make between you and your household.
Dining out can also have its challenges. Research a restaurant beforehand about their ability to accommodate a gluten-free meal without cross-contamination. Speak with a manager and the server when seated to minimize exposure to gluten. The app, Find Me Gluten Free, is a great source for finding gluten-free friendly and celiac- friendly restaurants in your area.
Most commonly, newly diagnosed people with Celiac Disease can not consume dairy. The vili that has been destroyed is tipped with the enzyme lactase which breaks down the glucose lactose that is found in dairy products. Some people have been able to consume dairy again after a month or two of intestinal healing without the presence of gluten.
Yoga can help to reduce stress and heal the gut.
Supplement Suggestions
These are suggestions for healing. Please check with your doctor before starting any supplements.
Multi-vitamin
zinc
Vitamin D
Fish oil
Probiotics
Grape seed extract
Pine bark extract
So what is celiac disease?
Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease that is triggered by gluten. You may have a lot of questions, like what is an autoimmune disease? And what exactly is gluten? Lets dive in:
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten is what holds the crumb structure of bread and baked goods together. Have you every sliced a piece of bread and see tiny holes held together by a web like structure? Thats the gluten, it helps to make the baked light and airy but still sturdy.
What is an autoimmune disease?
An autoimmune disease happens when the immune system starts to identify normal cells or molecules (in the case of celiac disease that would be gluten) as foreign invaders and attacks them. This assault can damage the surrounding tissue and causes chronic inflammation.
How celiac disease affects the body?
Now that we know what gluten and an autoimmune disease is, let’s pull it all together. When someone with celiac disease eats as small as a pinprick of gluten the immune system sees it as an outside invader and attacks it. While it attacks the gluten it damages the tiny hair like vili that line the intestines. The vili contain vital digestive enzymes that help us to break down our food and allow us to absorb it into our systems. When the vili are stripped from the intestines it can cause dangerous vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Inflammation from the attack on gluten can damage the one cell wall thick layer of gut lining leading to Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS). LGS can allow toxins into your blood stream that can lead to other autoimmune diseases, IBD/IBS, obesity, arthritis, and even asthma.
How do you get celiac disease?
Celiac disease is complicated. Many people have the celiac gene but the disease typically does not present itself until there is a stressor to the body. This could be from surgery, child birth, viral infections, or severe emotional stress. It’s not known what exactly activates it.
A diet without gluten does not mean you have to sacrifice a full and satisfying life. Nowadays, there is a gluten free product or recipe for anything you are craving.
Healing after diagnosis:
Heal the Gut
A gluten free diet isn’t always enough to heal when first diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Healing LGS and the gut lining is paramount. Adding probiotics with fermented food or as a supplement, L-Glutamine, bone broth, removing food intolerances with an elimination diet, and digestive enzymes such as papain (found in papaya) can also be very beneficial.
Sleep
Sleep is vital to reducing inflammation, supporting the immune system, and regulating a healthy gut microbiome. Getting enough sleep every night, 7-8 hours, will help to heal the gut. We are learning that the microbiome of the gut regulates hormones and moods as well as helps digest the foods we eat.
Our bodies function on circadian rhythms and our immune system does as well. When that rhythm is disrupted our immune system can not function optimally, creating more instances of inflammation. Our bodies thrive on consistency so keeping to a sleep schedule can be very beneficial. Setting an alarm for bed and an alarm for waking can create a predictable pattern for our circadian rhythm to adhere to.
Reduce Stress
Along with sleep, reducing stress can also reduce inflammation. When we are under stress, our bodies release stress hormones, such as cortisol, that have negative effects on the microbiome population. Thus creating an environment for inflammation to occur that allows LGS to persist. Meditative practices like yoga and meditation are useful ways to help relax and repair the gut lining. There are plenty of online courses, apps, and local venues to help build a strong yoga or meditation practice. 10 minutes a day can greatly reduce stress throughout the week.