Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance)
Symptoms
Celiac disease, or sprue, is a rare disorder that causes malabsorption of nutrients due to a sensitivity or intolerance to gluten, a cereal protein found mainly in wheat, rye and barley. Corn and rice are gluten-free. Celiac disease becomes apparent in children within six months of being weaned from the breast and with the incorporation of foods containing gluten. Less severe cases may not be discovered until adulthood. Typically, diarrhea accompanies vomiting and a painfully bloated abdomen one to two hours after a meal, with large, smelly, shiny stools. When these symptoms are absent, the signs of malnutrition become apparent. These are anemia, weight loss, infertility and, in children, a failure to grow and thrive. A rash, recurring canker sores, bone pains and mood swings accompany these symptoms.
Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance) Causes
Sensitivity to gluten in celiac disease is hereditary. Gluten damages the intestinal mucous membranes which gives rise to painful diarrhea, and poor absorbtion of nutrients. Maintaining a strict, gluten-free diet usually eliminates all symptoms and restores the affected person to health. Some adults are able to reintroduce small quantities of gluten in their diet, while others suffer relapses from the minutest amounts. Since other intestinal disorders have very similar symptoms, a professional diagnosis is recommended.
Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance) Nutrition
Eliminate gluten, contained in wheat, rye and barley, from the diet. Although oats contain gluten, they do not cause diarrhea associated with gluten intolerance. Avoid hidden sources of gluten in commercially prepared foods such as soy sauce, modified food starch, ice-cream, soup or alcoholic beverages. Abstain from milk and milk products until healthy intestinal function is restored. Since completely digested gliadin (the component of gluten which activates celiac disease) does not trigger the disease, a deficiency of enzymes active in digestion may be a causal factor. Eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables which are rich in digestive enzymes. Use unrefined, cold-pressed flax seed oil to provide omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are needed to maintain many metabolic functions.
Gluten is found to varying degrees in most alcoholic products. If one is sensitive or allergic to grains, then one would also be sensitive and allergic to any foods or beverages that contained these same food substances. Doctors specializing in the treatment of allergic disorders have noticed that many patients found to be allergic to common foods like wheat, also craved or were addicted to the same foods.
Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance) Nutritional Supplements
There is an increased need for nutrients because food is poorly absorbed as a result of the intestinal inflammation. In addition to the necessary change in diet, supplementation helps to quickly rectify the malnourishment.
Digestive enzymes, which digest gluten, should be supplemented to improve overall absorption and assimilation of nutrients. In addition, a good multivitamin/mineral should be added for support. A lack of vitamin B6 is partly responsible for symptoms of celiac disease. Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P-5-P) should be supplemented. Digestive problems are often associated with absorbtion difficulties. P-5-P is the active form so no conversion is required to make vitamin B6.
A B-complex vitamin should be added. In addition, the essential fatty acids and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K are often lacking because the absorption of fats is particularly poor with this condition. While vitamins A, D and E are found in multivitamin supplements, vitamin K can be supplemented through green foods, especially alfalfa. Green food supplements contain many essential nutrients, including trace minerals. Evening primrose oil is a good source of the omega-6 essential fatty acids.
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids should be taken additionally to improve resistance to disease.
Silica soothes inflammations in the gastrointestinal tract. It is available in both capsules and gel form.
Medicinal clay is excellent in promoting healing of the walls of the colon and protecting it from irritation by toxins and abrasive matter.
Daily dosages:
Most Important
Multivitamin supplement, as directed on the label
Papain, 500 mg three times daily
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg one to three times daily
Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate, 50 mg daily
Helpful
Vitamin B complex, 50 mg twice daily
Vitamin B12, 100 mcg
Green food supplements, 1 tbsp.
Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily
Silica, 3–6 capsules; in the gel form, follow the directions on the label
Medicinal clay, dissolve 1 tsp. of clay in 1/2 cup of water at room temperature and drink twice daily.
Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance) Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies can help soothe intestinal irritation and inflammation and heal damaged mucous membranes.
Take 4 drops of agrimony tincture in water, three times daily.
Sufficient silica in the intestines will reduce inflammation, and strengthen and rebuild connective tissue. Take 3 cups of silica-rich horsetail tea or 15 drops of tincture in liquid three times daily.
A combination of burdock, slippery elm, sheep sorrel and Turkish rhubarb tea helps different types of inflammations in the gastrointestinal tract.
Use dandelion, saffron and yellow dock herbal teas to that purify and nourish the blood.
Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance) Homeopathy
Chronic conditions can be resolved by an experienced homeopath, who can achieve lasting results.
Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance) Tissue Salts
Tissue salts can help alleviate particular symptoms of this condition. See these sections for remedies: anemia, canker sore, diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome, mood swings, pain, rash, vomiting and weight loss.
Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance) External/Physical Therapies
Hydrotherapy to the abdomen is excellent for healing intestinal walls.
Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance) Available Brand Name Products
Nutrition
Inca Rice-Golden Quinoa (Artesian Acres)
Nutritional Supplements
Bentonite Clay, Hydrated (Inno-Vite)
P-5-P with magnesium
(Klaire laboratories)
Acidophilus & Bifidus (Natural Factors)
E 400 IU Mixed Tocopherol 100% Natural (Natural Factors)
Mega Acidophilus Powder (Natural Factors)
Ultra Prim Evening Primrose Oil
(Natural Factors)
Vitamin A (Natural Factors)
Other Nutritional Supplements
Bee Propolis (Natural Factors)
Herbal Remedies
FloraSil (Flora)
Horsetail Leaves (Flora)
Silica Extract 500mg (Natural Factors)
Alfalfa Leaves (Nature's Herbs)
Barley Grass (Nature's Herbs)
Burdock (Nature's Herbs)
Silica-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Slippery Elm Bark (Nature's Herbs)
Yellow Dock Root (Nature's Herbs)
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Bless each of these for the light that they has helped me to learn.
Betty