Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease is a digestive disorder.
It is caused by a lack of an enzyme that digests the protein (called gluten) that is found in wheat, rye and barley. When the undigested protein sits in the digestion tract it ferments and creates a toxic substance that damages the mucous membrane lining of the small intestine. This causes an absorption problem with the other foods you are eating.
If you have this problem you will be faced with a combination of bloating, gas or abdominal pain; chronic diarrhea or constipation; unexplained weight loss or gain; pale, foul-smelling stool; anemia; bone or joint pain; behavior changes, depression or irritability; vitamin deficiencies; fatigue, weakness or lack of energy; delayed growth or onset of puberty; failure to thrive; missed menstrual periods; infertility; spontaneous miscarriages; canker sores inside the mouth; and tooth discoloration or loss of enamel. Children with this problem can have developmental delays and learning problems.
Because of the weakened immune system caused by the malnutrition (caused by the lack of enzymes) it is not uncommon for people to develop other diseases such as a broad spectrum of liver diseases, including acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis and autoimmune hepatitis. Several reports have suggested increased risk for some malignancies, particularly non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and gastrointestinal cancers in adults with celiac disease, compared to the general population.
It sounds pretty frightening, but some researchers say it affects as many as one in every 133 people. Different ethnic groups are not exempt, though there is some evidence that the lack of enzymes is genetic.
What can you do about it?
-
First of all start reading labels. You will want to eliminate anything that has any wheat, rye or barley in it. This is going to harder than you think, because so many manufacturers use wheat as a filler in their foods. Because of the number of people with these problems more and more stores carry items that are labeled Gluten Free but many sufferers have decided that making everything from scratch is the best bet.
-
Secondly you can replace the enzymes you are missing. Plant Enzymes contain a broad spectrum of enzymes. They will enable your body to digest almost anything, plus they get into the blood stream and help clean out your blood and cells from substances that shouldn't be there. Taking the enzymes and eliminating gluten both will allow the mucous membrane of the small intestine to start healing. To speed up that process you would want to include some Aloe Ace-Max. This product is one of the most concentrated forms of Aloe you can get. Aloe is an anti-inflammatory and a cell rejuvenator so Aloe Ace-Max will calm the inflammation and encourage healing.
Dr. Kristine Stiles, N.D., a naturopathic doctor at the Complementary Medicine and Healing arts center in Vestal, New York also recommends replacing the vitamins and minerals that the body has not been able to absorb. She recommends something that contains calcium, magnesium and the vitamin B complex. Complete Vitamins Plus really fits her criteria. This is a well balanced vitamin that also includes the necessary minerals. For additional B vitamins you can try our Essential Source B-12 Complex Strips. They are absorbed through the mouth tissues, bypassing the digestive tract.
|
|
