In honour of
Celiac Awareness Month, we'd like to share with you the exciting news that you
CAN live a normal life even if you have been diagnosed with Gluten Intolerance
or Celiac Disease.
What is 'Celiac
Disease':
Most people
who have been diagnosed as Celiac's first noticed an issue when they
experienced stomach problems including, bloating, cramps and diarrhea -
especially after eating certain foods. As they search for a diagnosis they will
generally be told they are Gluten Intolerant. They will be told how Gluten
interferes with the body's ability to absorb protein, fat, carbohydrates,
vitamins and minerals thereby leading to moderate to severe digestive issues
and ultimately, compromised general health.
Diagnosis
can be a challenge as the symptoms can be vague and are very similar to many
other digestive issues; a correct diagnosis can take several years for some
people. In the meantime, you continue to suffer from cramps and diarrhea,
you're extremely fatigued, and your overall health is getting worse as more
time passes.
How to live
with Celiac Disease:
Once
diagnosed, people with Celiac Disease are directed to avoid Gluten for the rest
of their lives. In the beginning you avoid the obvious foods like Wheat, Barley
and Rye Breads; but as you soon discover, Gluten is also hidden in many other,
not so obvious food items like soup, sauces and packaged foods. It's also found
in processed meats, Ice Cream, Ketchup, Salad Dressings, French Fries, Seasoned
Chips and even Beer! You'll need to learn about Wheat products such as Bulgur,
Durum, Farina, Kamut, Semolina and Spelt.
Of course
once you have educated yourself on all the foods you cannot eat, and faithfully
follow a 'Celiac Diet', you will now likely not be getting enough nutrients in
your diet. Now you'll also have to look for supplemental sources of Iron,
Calcium, Niacin, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, and of course, Fiber.
"Gluten Free" has become big business in North America in the past
decade.
Does a
diagnosis of Celiac Disease have to be a life sentence?
The great
news is No - you can choose to do something about your body's reaction to
gluten.
Our
intestinal lining houses the majority of our immune system, which protects the
body against a host of threats that lead to disease. Diet and stress can destroy the intestinal
lining and the immune defences that guard that lining; the damaged intestine or
imbalanced immune system can result in virtually every type health concern.
A healthy intestine
starts with removing foods in the diet that may be causing damage. The most
effective strategy is to start with a two week elimination diet (avoiding the
most common allergic foods) under the care and direction of a professional
Naturopathic Doctor [ND]. Removing these
foods from the diet will allow the intestinal lining to repair and weaken
unwanted bacteria and yeast that may be living in your guts causing symptoms
such as bloating, gas and nausea.
Using a
variety of select herbs to flavour your foods will help to clear out unwanted
guests from the gut. Once you have
sufficiently taken back control of your intestines, your ND will guide you how
to safely reintroduce functional foods to regain a healthy gut. To get your
life back and take control of virtually any health condition – call Dr. Brian
Davies at Westcoast Integrative Health today.
Excerpts
from:
http://www.celiac.ca
http://www.mayoclinic.com
http://westcoastintegrativehealth.com
