In the past half of a century, there have been a growing number of people with autoimmune disorders, and the number of autoimmune diseases has increased to more than 80 at this time. Celiac disease, also known as coeliac disease, celiac sprue, or gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE), is another type of common autoimmune disorder. Usually passed on genetically, it is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients. In the US, about 1 in 130 people have, or show signs of, celiac disease, but there could be many more than that. An autoimmune disorder is from a breakdown in cellular communication. When an animal or person has an autoimmune disorder, it simply means that their own cells fail to recognize their cells as "self". Of course, this is not normal, and results in an immune response against their own cells.

What exactly is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is unique in that a specific protein, gluten, has been identified as the trigger. Gluten is the common name for the offending proteins in specific cereal grains that are harmful to persons with celiac disease. As the gluten is broken down in the intestine, gluten peptides that bind to HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 and trigger an inflammatory T cell response. These gluten proteins make up about 80% of the proteins that are found in the endosperm in all forms of wheat, rye, barley, and triticale and must be eliminated. Even though the celiac disease was first described by Aretaeus in 50 AD, it wasn't until 1950, that Dickey identified grains, wheat in particular, as the toxic factor. When people with celiac disease consume any gluten products, their immune system reacts by damaging the villi in their small intestine. With damage to the small intestine, malabsorption is common. Therefore, the level of Iron, calcium, electrolytes, and albumin should be closely monitored.

Types of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease has now been categorized into 4 main classes according to the NIH consensus conference.

Classical celiac disease includes those symptoms commonly associated with the disease in the past, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Celiac disease with atypical symptoms includes those extra intestinal symptoms of osteoporosis, neurological involvement, and little or no abdominal symptoms. Silent celiac disease includes those individuals who are asymptomatic yet have both positive serology and biopsy. Latent celiac disease includes positive serology and negative biopsy, but may later present with positive symptoms or intestinal changes. Contributors to the Disorder

The cause of celiac disease is still unknown. It seems that if your parents have it, then you will be genetically predisposed to get it. There is new research that indicates that celiac disease is strongly associated with a group of genes on Chromosome 6.These genes (HLA class II antigens) are involved in the regulation of the body's immune response to the gluten protein fractions.

Treatment of Celiac Disease

According to the medical industry, there are no treatments to control or manage this disorder, aside from just staying completely away from all gluten proteins. "It takes only a l/8th of a teaspoon of flour to cause visible damage to the intestinal mucosa." (Lee, Anne) But recently, there have been a number of people who have reported great results from glyconutrients products. Some have reported being able to eat normal diets of whatever they like, after only 4 to 6 months using the supplements. Glyconutrients are all natural, and as long as gluten is not used in the glyconutrients supplement as a binder, to bind the powder together, or as an extender, then they should be completely safe.

Foods, cheap vitamins, medications, and even things such as postal stamp adhesive, can have gluten in them. With all of the foods that contain gluten proteins, and all of the other applications of gluten proteins, it is hard to maintain a gluten-free diet. In the Columbia University "Celiac Disease Center", they have even studied the social and emotional impact that the strict gluten-free diet can have on people. Nutritional therapy for celiac disease has always been centered around food allowed and not allowed on a gluten-free diet. Due to the nature of this diet, an emphasis should also be placed on the nutritional quality of the gluten-free diet, particularly as it concerns the iron, calcium and fiber consumption.

Until recently, it was thought that there was a small number of Americans affected by this health condition. In Europe, the prevalence was thought to be 1 in 100 to 250. Since not everyone that has it, is going to know that they have it, there is no accurate way of knowing yet, how many people are affected by celiac disease. "Now the research indicates that celiac disease is as common in the United States as it is in Europe and is also found in Africa, Middle East, Asia, New Zealand, and Australia." (Lee, Anne)

Citations

Koning, Frits, Luud Gilissen, and Cisca Wijmenga. "Gluten: a Two-Edged Sword. Immunopathogenesis of Celiac Disease." Springer Seminars in Immunopathology os 27 (2005): 217-232. Academic Search Premier . EBSCO. 22 Sept. 2006.

Lee, Anne. "Celiac Disease Detection and Treatment." Topics in Clinical Nutrition os 20 (2005): 139-145. Academic Search Premier . EBSCO. 22 Sept. 2006.

"Celiac Disease." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse . Oct. 2005. National Institutes of Health. 22 Sept. 2006 .

About the Author

Spencer Hunt is an energetic, bilingual wellness coach from Oregon, who recommends a healthy, balanced diet, with high quality vitamins, minerals, and pharmaceutical grade glyconutrients . He is a Certified Phlebotomist, licensed Pharmacy technician, horse trainer, runner, author, and airplane pilot. He works with children with special needs and adults facing stress or health concerns. He has worked with Spanish and English speaking clients who deal with celiac disease, fibromyalgia, cancer, diabetes, allergies, asthma, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and weight loss. Call Spencer for a free glyconutrients consultation to see how glyconutrients can help you. He gained an interest in nutrition at a young age while growing up on a farm where they grew organic, home-grown fruits and vegetables. He also uses glyconutrients on his own animals.

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