Imagine how you would react if you went to your doctor to review some test results and the doctor told you that you could never again eat anything containing the protein gluten including wheat, barley, rye spelt, kamut and oats. Realistically, this means no common types of bread, baked goods, crackers or cereal containing these grains. In addition, you would have to avoid gluten in a huge variety of everyday products like sauces, mixes, dressings and beer. Many processed and prepared foods would be off your list too, and even some body care products like hand creams and shampoos.
This is the reality of celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue.
Rate of Celiac Diagnosis
For those with this life-changing diagnosis, even a small amount of gluten is problematic, and this disease currently has no cure. Controlling this condition means a regimented diet and lifelong lifestyle change. According to the Canadian Celiac Association, this is the situation of approximately 1 in 133 people in Canada – and the rate of celiac diagnosis is increasing. A study by the Mayo Clinic found that celiac disease is four times more common now than it was in the 1950s.
Celiac Disease Explained
Celiac disease is a genetically-based auto-immune disorder in which gluten triggers the body’s immune system to attack itself, resulting in damage to the small intestine. Symptoms and their severity vary from person to person according to many factors, including the level of intestinal damage and how many nutrients the body is able to assimilate.
A carefully balanced gluten-free diet, including appropriate nutritional supplementation, is recommended by health experts in order to ensure all the body’s requirements are met. Sometimes this condition is referred to as gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity. The multitude of names can cause confusion and many people can experience adverse reactions to gluten and yet not be celiacs. These are some of the reasons that celiac testing and diagnosis is essential.
Celiac Disease Test
Many people experience digestive distress after consuming gluten, but not all of them suffer from celiac disease. Proper testing is necessary for a definitive diagnosis, and the person must be eating gluten regularly for the tests to be accurate.
The first step is a blood test and the next step is a biopsy, a tissue sample taken from the small intestine. Visit The Canadian Celiac Association website for details. Due to the genetic origin of the disease, it is recommended that all first degree relatives of a confirmed celiac undergo celiac testing. A person could have the gene for celiac disease without showing any symptoms. In other cases, symptoms may appear but be attributed to other causes. The average length of time from when a person begins displaying symptoms to their celiac diagnosis is currently eleven years. If you have concerns, you can discuss them with your doctor.
Gluten-Free Eating
With the increase in knowledge of celiac disease, and the increase in rate of diagnosis, more companies are offering gluten-free products. Consumer demand is resulting in greater variety and availability. A wide assortment of baked goods using gluten-free grains such as rice, corn, quinoa and teff are now available.
Gluten-free condiments and prepared foods are also increasing in number. Many mainstream companies are also now testing for gluten in their “regular” products so that they can safely claim gluten-free status. Groceries and supplements labeled “gluten-free” contain less than 20ppm (parts per million) of gluten. Be sure the label says “gluten-free” rather than “free of gluten” as “free of gluten” does not mean the product has actually been tested for gluten. If in doubt, contact the company directly.
Gluten-Free Living
If you or someone you know has the disease, be aware that there is help available. The Canadian Celiac Association has a comprehensive website full of helpful information. Dieticians regularly give webinars on this topic and some health food stores have support groups or gluten-free tours. Several excellent books and blogs also exist on this topic. Look for the authors' credentials and ask questions about their research.
Taking advantage of the existing resources increases knowledge and results in self-empowerment. Learning how to make the appropriate health choices will increase enjoyment and quality of life. You may be pleasantly surprised at the options available. Though you may think living with celiac disease means foregoing all of your favourite foods, there are actually a lot of delicious gluten-free alternatives on grocery store shelves.
Celiac disease is a genetically based auto-immune disorder with no known cure. The body attacks its own tissue in response to exposure to the protein gluten which is found in wheat, barley, oats, and rye as well as several processed foods. Currently, the only treatment is a gluten-free diet for life. Proper testing is important to confirm a positive diagnosis. The rate of celiac disease diagnosis is increasing. With the prevalence of the disease and increased public awareness, more gluten-free resources and products are now available. Healthy gluten-free living is possible.
Source:
Rubio-Tapia A, Kyle RA, Kaplan EL, Johnson DR, Page W, Erdtmann F, Brantner TL, Kim WR, Phelps TK, Lahr BD, Zinsmeister AR, Melton LJ 3rd, Murray JA. "Increased Prevalence and Mortality in Undiagnosed Celiac Disease." Gastroenterology. 2009 Jul;137(1): 88-93.
Kathryn Kusyszyn - Kathryn Kusyszyn is a nutritionist learning to cook and a yoga instructor learning how to be flexible. A lifelong writer, she studied ...
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