Celiac Disease and Nutritional Deficiency

Many people with celiac disease suffer from nutritional deficiencies. This is because the illness causes damage to the small intestine, which interferes with the absorption of nutrients from the food we eat.

Below are two graphics produced by the Gluten Intolerance Group in Auburn, WA. They contain some great information about which foods contain the nutrients most needed by those with celiac disease.

 

More information about GIG can be found at gluten.net.

 

Milo says….

Homemade peanut butter snacks made with sorghum flour are VERY NUTRITIOUS!

 

Kids with Celiac Disease

Here is a fun video of kids discussing what it’s like to have celiac disease. Watching this makes me grateful for all the amazing gluten-free choices of food that are available today.

 

Milo says….

Whenever something is bothering me, I know just what to do – kick some grass over it and MOVE ON!

Celiac Disease and Iron Deficiency

One of the first symptoms I had of celiac disease was anemia. I still have to take an iron supplement daily, since my body has trouble absorbing nutrients from food even though I follow a strict gluten-free diet.

Celiac disease causes damage to the small intestine that leads to malnutrition and non-absorption of vital nutrients. Iron is one of the main mineral deficiencies seen in people with celiac disease.

According to Baylor University Medical Center research, it is not unusual for patients to continue to be a risk of developing anemia even if they are following a gluten-free diet.

Not only does anemia make you feel really bad, it can also be life-threatening. It is very important for anyone with celiac disease to have their iron levels checked on a regular basis.

The symptoms of anemia include weakness, headaches, dizziness, breathing problems and pale skin. A complete blood count (CBC) test is necessary to diagnose anemia. If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor so you can get the test.

For people with celiac disease, staying on a gluten-free diet is important because it decreases the chances of malabsorption. It may be necessary to make other dietary changes such as increasing the amount of iron from the foods you eat.

Foods that are high in iron include red meat, especially organ meats like liver, egg yolk, oysters, dried fruits, legumes and dark green leafy vegetables like spinach. Iron supplements may be another option for some patients, but it is crucial to consult a doctor first. Iron absorption is increased markedly by eating foods containing vitamin C along with foods containing iron.

So be sure to eat your spinach and get tested regularly!

Source: Iron deficiency in celiac disease is common problem, emaxhealth.com.

Milo says….

You can keep the spinach, but I’ll have some of that liver PLEASE!

 

Healthy Eating Tips for Celiacs

It is important to get enough B-vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate), iron, and fiber if you are eating a gluten-free diet. Here are some tips to help you get enough good nutrition.

• Choose whole grain, gluten-free products whenever possible. Look for products containing whole grain sorghum, whole grain rice, millet, teff, or corn.
• Choose enriched, gluten-free products instead of refined, unenriched products whenever possible. Here are a few companies providing enriched, gluten-free products:
  – Ener-G Foods: Manufactures enriched ready-to-eat, glutenfree bread products
  – Glutino: Manufactures enriched ready-to-eat, gluten-free bread products and enriched baking mixes
  – Maplegrove Food and Beverage: Manufactures enriched, gluten-free pasta
  – Enjoy Life Foods: Manufactures enriched, glutenfree breads, bagels, snack bars, and granola
  – Kinnikinnick Foods: Manufactures enriched, glutenfree bread products
  – Gluten Free Cafe: Manufactures enriched soups and entrees
• Eat more foods made with alternative plant foods, such as amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat. These plant foods are good sources of fiber and iron as well as some B-vitamins.
• Eat other enriched, gluten-free foods such as enriched rice.
• Make sure to eat plenty of non-grain sources of the nutrients your body needs. For example:
  – Lean cuts of fresh pork, legumes (dry beans, peas, lentils), nuts, and fish are good sources of thiamin.
  – Dairy products, legumes, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and mushrooms are good for riboflavin.
  – Eat poultry, fish, lean cuts of fresh pork, legumes, and seeds for niacin.
  – Choose legumes, green leafy vegetables, and fruit juices for folate.
  – You can get iron from lean cuts of beef, poultry, seafood, legumes, dried fruits, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
  – All plant foods—fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, and nuts—are good sources of fiber.
• Consider taking a gluten-free multivitamin and mineral supplement

Source: The University of North Dakota Dining Services

Milo says….

Maizy told me she needs more exercise so I have to take her for a walk EVERY DAY. We have fun walking together, so I don’t mind doing this to take care of her.

10 Facts About the FDA Gluten-Free Food Labeling Rule

The new FDA gluten-free labeling rule goes into effect today!

According to this new rule, when a manufacturer puts “gluten-free” on packaging, the item must comply with this FDA definition of the term – less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten.

Foods that are gluten-free do not have to be labeled “gluten-free”, but any food product conforming to the less than 20 parts per million standard may be labeled “gluten-free,” even if it’s naturally gluten-free (i.e., water or fresh produce).

Below is a list of facts from The Celiac Disease Foundation regarding the rule.

1. What food products are covered by this rule?

• All FDA-regulated foods
• Dietary Supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids)
• Imported food products that are subject to FDA regulation

Not Covered:

• Meat, poultry and unshelled eggs (and any other products regulated by the USDA)
• Distilled spirits and wines that contain 7% or more alcohol by volume*
• Malted beverages made with malted barley or hops*

* These alcoholic beverages are regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The FDA says it will work with the TTB to “harmonize” gluten-free labeling requirements between the two agencies.

2. What food products may be labeled gluten-free?

A food product regulated by the FDA may be labeled gluten-free if:

A. It does NOT contain wheat, rye, barley or their crossbred hybrids like triticale (a gluten-containing grain) OR

B. It contains a gluten-containing grain or an ingredient derived from a gluten-containing grain that has been processed to less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten.

3. May food products that are naturally gluten-free be labeled “gluten-free”, like bottled water or tomatoes?

Yes.

4. May oats be labeled gluten-free?

Oats that contain less than 20 ppm of gluten may be labeled “gluten-free.” Oats do not need to be certified gluten-free.

5. Will there be a symbol to identify foods that meet the FDA definition of gluten-free?

No. The FDA has determined that consumers favor the label “gluten-free” to communicate that a food is free of gluten. Manufacturers are allowed to include a symbol as long as it is truthful and not misleading.

6. Are manufacturers required to test for gluten to label a product “gluten-free”?

No. Manufacturers are not required to test for the presence of gluten in ingredients or in the finished “gluten-free” labeled food product. However, they are responsible for ensuring that the food product meets all labeling requirements. Manufacturers will need to determine how they will ensure this.

7. How will the FDA enforce gluten-free labeling requirements after August 5, 2014?

The FDA may perform food label reviews, follow-up on consumer and industry complaints, and analyze food samples. Consumers and manufacturers may report a complaint to an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in the state where the food was purchased.

8. Why did the FDA adopt < 20 ppm of gluten as the standard instead of zero ppm? Why does CDF support this?

The FDA adopted the standard based upon the recommendations of the scientific and medical communities, and because there are no analytical methods available that are scientifically validated to reliably detect gluten below 20 ppm. The CDF Medical Advisory Board supports the < 20 ppm of gluten standard for gluten-free labeling. According to Dr. Peter Green, director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, “The 20 ppm is a scientifically determined level of gluten that has been shown to be tolerated by those with celiac disease. It is in line with standards in other countries.”

9. Does this rule apply to foods served in restaurants?

The FDA suggests that restaurants and other retail food service establishments use the same definition for gluten-free. This is not a requirement.

10. What are the FDA and CDF doing about gluten-containing ingredients in medications?

The FDA’s Center for Drug Research and Evaluation (CDER) is reviewing the public comments it has received regarding options to limit gluten exposure from consumption of drug products.

Sourch: Celiac Disease Foundation

 

Milo says….

Maizy’s rule is that I CAN NOT get on her bed. I have my own bed, though, and she gives me a SNACK when she says “It’s bedtime!” and I get in it. Rules are GOOD when snacks are involved!

The History of Celiac Disease

Humans first started to cultivate grains in the Neolithic period (beginning about 9500 BCE) in the Fertile Crescent in Western Asia, and it is likely that celiac disease did not occur before this time. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the cause of celiac disease was identified.

In 250 A.D., Aretaeus of Cappadocia recorded a “malabsorptive syndrome with chronic diarrhoea.” When describing his patients he referred to them as “koiliakos,” which meant “suffering in the bowels.” The patient described in Aretaeus’ work had stomach pain and was atrophied, pale, feeble and incapable of work. The problem, Aretaeus believed, was a lack of heat in the stomach necessary to digest the food and a reduced ability to distribute the digestive products throughout the body, this incomplete digestion resulting in the diarrhea.

Francis Adams translated these observations from Greek to English for the Sydenham Society of England in 1856. Adams gave the name “celiacs” or “coeliacs” to those suffering from this illness based on his studies of Aretaeus’ writings.

In 1888, the pediatrician Samuel Gee presented clinical accounts of children and adults with celiac disease at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in the United Kingdom. Gee stated, “to regulate the food is the main part of treatment. The allowance of farinaceous foods must be small, but if the patient can be cured at all, it must be by means of diet.” September 13th is designated National Celiac Disease Awareness Day in honor of Gee’s birthday.

Christian Archibald Herter, an American physician, wrote a book in 1908 on children with celiac disease, which he called “intestinal infantilism.” He noted their growth was retarded and that fat was better tolerated than carbohydrate. The eponym Gee-Herter disease was sometimes used to acknowledge both contributions.

Sidney V. Haas, an American pediatrician, reported positive effects of a diet of bananas in 1924. This diet remained in vogue until the actual cause of celiac disease was determined.

Dutch pediatrician, Willem Karel Dicke, MD, was recognized in 1952 for linking the ingestion of wheat proteins as the cause of celiac disease. Dicke noticed that while there was a shortage of bread during the Dutch famine of 1944 there was a significant drop in the death rate among children affected by CD – from greater than 35% to essentially zero. He also reported that once wheat was again available after the famine, the mortality rate soared to previous levels.

The link with the gluten component of wheat was made in 1952 by a team from Birmingham, England. Villous atrophy was described by British physician John W. Paulley in 1954 on samples taken at surgery. This paved the way for biopsy samples taken by endoscopy.

The cause of celiac disease was eventually discovered to be an autoimmune reaction to gliadin, a gluten protein found in wheat, plus Secalin in rye and Hordein in barley. The lining of the small bowel is flattened, which interferes with the absorption of nutrients.

This gliadin molecule, found in wheat, is one of the triggers for the immune system reaction that causes celiac disease.

Originally called non-tropical sprue, terminology changed as research confirmed the adult sprue was the same thing as celiac disease diagnosed in children. The term “celiac disease” is now most commonly used. Another term for the same condition includes “gluten sensitive enteropathy.” Dermatitis herpetiformis and gluten ataxia are generally considered specific manifestations of celiac disease.

I’m very grateful to all of those who worked so hard through the years to find this disease and determine the treatment!

Sources: Celiac Support Association, www.csaceliacs.info; Wikipedia – Coeliac Disease

 

Milo says….

I LOVE my toys. I like to get them ALL out and arrange them around the den JUST RIGHT. Then Maizy puts them all BACK in the toy place again. We play this fun game nearly EVERY day. I’m such a LUCKY dog!

 

 

Dining Out Gluten-Free

It took me a little while after I was diagnosed with celiac disease to figure out what questions to ask at restaurants. I felt really self-conscious asking at first, but it got easier each time.

How do you explain to a restaurant that you’re gluten-free? Telling your server is an important first step, but it can also help to have a resource to make sure that the restaurant understands how to proceed once you make that gluten-free request.

The NFCA has a free tip sheet to help you dine out safely. The tip sheet walks you through a number of important questions that can help you determine if a restaurant is properly prepared to meet your gluten-free needs. This guide cannot guarantee a safe meal, but it can help you feel more confident and comfortable when speaking with the staff about their gluten-free options.

On the right hand side of the sheet, there is a slip you can sign, tear off and leave with the restaurant to recommend that they get gluten-free training.

Here are some of the tips from the sheet:

Tip 1: Call ahead

Questions to ask:

• Do you have a gluten-free menu?
• Can you tell me what gluten is?
• What are your gluten-free menu options?
• Have you completed a gluten-free training program, such as GREAT Kitchens?

Tip 2: Be detailed

Ask these questions once you are seated at the restaurant:

• Do you use any spice blends or mixes?
• Do you use four or soy sauce in the dressing/sauce/batter/base?
• How do you top/garnish the dish (i.e. croutons, fried onions, crackers)?
• Do you use a separate prep space for gluten-free food?
• Do you use separate cookware and utensils for gluten-free food?
• Do you clean the grill?
• Do you use a dedicated fryer?

Tip 3: Be proactive

Look closely at your plate. Be sure to ask if yours is the gluten-free plate. If you are unsure that your meal is gluten-free at any point during your experience:

• Ask to speak to the manager or chef.
• Explain that you have celiac disease and will get sick from traces of gluten.
• Relay the facts of your experience, including relevant details.
• Ask the restaurant to become a GREAT Kitchen (use cutout on guide.)

It is possible to dine out safely if you have celiac disease. But it’s important for you to be proactive about learning everything you can about your gluten-free diet and making sure those preparing your food understand, as well.

Eat well and be healthy!

Source: National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
www.celiaccentral.org

 

Milo says….

Maizy has those red things in the garden again that I LOVE! She calls them tomatoes. I call them YUMMY! When she picks them I always give her my CUTEST cute doggy look and then I get to EAT one!

 

 

Gut Bacteria and Celiac Disease

I’ve been doing a little research lately on how intestinal flora affects digestive health. This can be especially important for people with celiac disease, who already have damage to the digestive system. Studies suggest increasing the beneficial gut bacteria through the use of gluten-free probiotics and prebiotics can help reduce the inflammation caused by celiac disease.

Intestinal flora, the beneficial bacteria on the lining of your intestine and colon, play a major role in the digestion of food. Probiotics perform a significant role in re-establishing the intestinal flora and maintaining good overall health. Prebiotics are found in certain foods, are not easily digested and enhance the growth of the good bacteria in your colon. The gluten-free diet typically lacks an abundance of prebiotics. A patient with celiac disease has a deficiency of good bacteria, so probiotics and prebiotics should be an important part of treatment.

Intestinal flora fights against the inflammation developed in celiac disease, according to the “American Journal of Gastroenterology.” Therefore, restoring that flora should be a prime concern during treatment and rehabilitation.

“The…digestive system is one of the most important immune system organs in the body,” explains Dr. Ilsueung Cho assistant professor of medicine and associate program director of the division of gastroenterology at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. “If the natural balance of bacteria in the gut is disrupted, it might trigger an inflammatory cascade of immune system reactions in the body, which can result in symptoms like the painful swelling of the joints in rheumatoid arthritis.”

From CBS News – “Bacteria in the gut may hold key to many diseases”

 

“Dietary changes that include probiotics and/or prebiotics may help alleviate the severity of celiac disease for some patients. According to a research study appearing in the May 2010 print issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, differing intestinal bacteria in celiac patients could influence inflammation to varying degrees. This suggests that manipulating the intestinal microbiota with dietary strategies such as probiotics and prebiotics, could improve the quality of life for celiac patients, as well as patients with associated diseases such as type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune disorders.”

Source: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

 

There are a lot of benefits of using probiotics if you have celiac disease. Probiotics not only provide nourishment to the intestinal flora, they also furnish vitamin K and biotin, which are essential for good health. Probiotics reduce the absorption of heavy metals and give protection against toxins produced by harmful bacteria in your gut. Probiotics can help prevent bad bacteria from sticking to the walls of your intestines. They improve the absorption of essential nutrients, which is severely impaired due to celiac disease.

Together, probiotics and prebiotics restore the normal movement of the gut that gets distorted in celiac patients. If you take antibiotics, make sure to replace the probiotics with a supplement or in your diet. Be kind to your good bugs!

 

Milo says….

I ate a bug today. I CHASED it around the yard, then I CAUGHT it, then I ATE it! … then I got sick in the house and Maizy made me go back outside … It must have been a BAD BUG!

 

 

5 Things People With Celiac Disease Need You to Understand

One of the things I struggle with since being diagnosed with celiac disease is explaining my diet needs to others. Even after twelve years I hear myself apologizing for being a pain and having to request gluten-free food options. I find myself getting angry and impatient with people because I have to explain again that I can’t just eat the filling out of the pie and I can’t eat the cheese dip after someone has dipped their wheat cracker into it.

I found this article today at celiac.com and hope they don’t mind me sharing these five things that people with celiac disease need their friends and relatives to understand about this illness.

1. We are NOT on a Fad Diet — Celiac disease is not some vague, make-believe condition. Celiac disease is a potentially serious immune disorder that, if left untreated, can lead to a very deadly types of stomach, intestinal, and other cancers. Just because a bunch of people seem to think that gluten is the new high fructose corn syrup, doesn’t mean that I’m one of them. Remember, for people with celiac disease, eating a gluten-free diet is no joke and is the only way for them to stay healthy.

2. We Won’t Be Getting Over It — Currently, there is no cure for celiac disease, and the only treatment is a gluten-free diet. That’s the only way to avoid the gut damage, lower risks for other types of auto-immune conditions, and minimize the risk of various types of cancer associated with celiac disease.

3. Celiac Disease is a Serious Condition — Since the effects of untreated celiac disease unfold slowly over time, it’s tempting for some people to look at celiac disease as a minor inconvenience. However, it’s important to understand that celiac disease is a potentially serious autoimmune disorder that, if left untreated, can leave people susceptible to other autoimmune conditions, and to deadly types of stomach, intestinal, and other cancers.

4. A ‘Little Gluten’ Might Hurt Me — There’s no such thing as ‘a little gluten’ to people with celiac disease. Gut damage happens with as little as 20 parts of gluten per million. That is a microscopic amount. A ‘gluten-free’ diet means no gluten. Period.

5. When in Doubt, Ask — If you’re not sure if I can safely eat a certain ingredient, or a certain food, just ask. Figuring out what is or is not gluten-free can be tricky, even for me. So, it’s best to ask if you’re not positive.

Are there other items you would add to this list? Or just feel free to vent in the comments if you like – I get it.

 

Milo says….

I wanted Maizy to play FRISBIE with me, but she was busy looking at that computer! Then I got in her lap so she could see me better. She said a 40-lb dog is NOT a lap dog. How can I make her UNDERSTAND that I NEED to play Frisbie?

Tips for Gluten-free Road Trips

By the time you get this post I’ll be on my way to Seattle for a two-week vacation. I really love WordPress scheduled posts, don’t you?

I’ve been planning this road trip for a few months and have been working on ways to make sure I eat safely. Traveling by car will allow me to bring along a lot of my own food, so that will make things easier. Here are some tips I found for traveling gluten-free:

Plan gluten-free meals and snacks before you leave home.
I’m planning on having simple meals while I’m on the road. Things like tuna, crackers and peanut butter will travel pretty well. I’m going to make some gluten-free muffins to take, too.

Shop for your favorite gluten-free items before you leave.
I’ve stocked up on my favorite crackers and cereals, as well as some fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts. Individual-sized packages of gluten-free snacks will come in handy for hiking and site seeing excursions.

Prepare to chill foods on the road.
I’m taking a cooler so I can keep my almond milk cold. I’m also thinking about taking some hard-boiled eggs for breakfasts. They should keep for several days in a cooler.

Try to stay in places where you’ll have a kitchenette, or access to kitchen facilities.
I’ll be staying in motels part of the time and with my son in Seattle part of the time. I’m not sure if the motels have microwaves, so I’m not bringing anything that will have to be cooked. My son and his roommates understand my condition and will let me cook whatever I need while I’m there. I’ll have to be extra careful in their kitchen about clean utensils and work areas, though.

Ship ahead.
I’m not going to be doing this, but it’s not a bad idea. Items can be ordered online and delivered to a destination. This would be especially helpful if I were flying and couldn’t carry a lot of stuff with me.

Investigate the gluten-free dining opportunities at your destination.
Here is one resource I found that lists chain restaurants with gluten-free menus. Here’s another one specifically for the Seattle area. I don’t plan to eat out a whole lot, but it’s good to have resources if I want to. I’m pretty sure I’ll be heading down to Pike Place Chowder at least once!

Be flexible, and bring your sense of humor.
I’m looking forward to this adventure, but I know things don’t always go as planned. I will have to stay on the alert for gluten, and be careful to not sacrifice my health for convenience or temptation’s sake.

Gluten-free in Seattle!

 

Milo says….

Maizy is GONE! I’ve been waiting by the door but she hasn’t come home for days and days. Gregg is here and he plays Frisbee with me and puts food in my bowl, but it’s just not the SAME without Maizy here! Gregg says she will be back soon, but WHEN? Maybe she will come back if I wait by the door some more.