I asked and you delivered. I had writers block at the end of last week and have a slew of topics to discuss over the next few weeks. A few of them are quick and easy answers. Others will require more in depth research and a day or two of articles. Some I’ve written about in the past, but they might need updating. Here is the list of suggestions about the gluten free diet and my comments about the next steps with each.
Leaky Gut and Celiac
Most theories say that leaky gut comes first and celice comes after. Some say leaky gut is the root of all problems in autoimmunity and other disease processes. Others say leaky gut is a myth utilized by functional medicine and other holistic health practitioners to separate you from your money. I’ve written about Leaky Gut here before. Here is a link to the article. My attitude is changing about this one because I think there is more to discover. I’ll update the article and republish.
Weight Gain after diagnosis
This one is near and dear to my heart. I’ve gained more weight than any three people should over the course of the past five years. I’m not sure how or why, but I have theories. I’ll be honest, I do not believe the common myth that weight gain after celiac diagnosis is an indication that the gut is healed and more calories are being absorbed. In fact, I think the weight gain or loss in celiac patients on a gluten free diet is an indication of significant damage in the body. But that is just my theory. I will tell you that most of the research I’ve seen indicates that once a gluten free diet is initiated, weight normalizes – exceptionally thin people return to a normal weight or the overweight people achieve a normal weight. Look for more on this one.
Gluten free medications & COVID
It was suggested that during COVID that every celiac should have a list of medications that are gluten free or not gluten free. This one is really hard. Covid is a special thing. I wrote about this in my last Q&A. Here is the link. For those with a wheat allergy or gluten ataxia, my suggestions do not apply. The rules would be different for those diseases than what I’m about to say.
For those with celiac disease in a life threatening emergency, save my life and we will worry about the gluten later. I will recover from a glutening – it is the hospital. They can cure my symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or whatever other glutening symptom I have. If I can’t breathe or am having a heart attack, fix that and we will worry about the rest later.
If I am able to talk and communicate with the medical staff and not in a life threatening emergency, I will communicate that I have celiac. I will provide them the web site http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com and we will discuss everything going into my body.
Mast Cell Activation
I’ve done some research on this. It is a little more controversial, but a good topic to discuss. It is tangential to celiac but a common enough occurrence.
Dentist and Celiac
This one is a great topic! The dentist and orthodontist offices can be a mine field of gluten exposure. I even have a friend or two that are dental hygienist. I will ask them if they ever get this question.
SIBO and Celiac
Often times SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) are diagnosed at the same time. There are specific tests and treatments for SIBO. I’ll get you those details.
Gluten Elimination Diet
I’ve talked about this briefly. This is used in extreme cases where the gluten free diet isn’t sufficiently eliminating celiac symptoms and often before a refractory celiac diagnosis. The gluten elimination diet is designed to eliminate gluten 100% from the diet. I’ll go into greater detail about this!
Compulsory Education about Celiac for Food Service Workers
I would love to see this, but I’m not sure McDonald’s is going to invest money into training their staff when the staff may leave a week later. Now, I will say that higher end restaurants do invest in training their staff. I’ve been to a few very high end restaurants and have exactly ZERO issues with gluten contamination. My suggestion on this is to eat at the most expensive restaurants you can afford to ensure the best chance at a gluten free meal.
Also, I don’t think there are enough celiac patients out in the world to force restaurants to do this. So patronize the ones that do accommodate the gluten free diet and leave the rest in the dust. 😉
Celiac and the Liver
Another great topic suggestion. Liver disease is common in those with celiac disease even on a gluten free diet. Autoimmune hepatitis is loosely associated with celiac. This one is going to require some research to get more details. Look for updates soon.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Here’s what I’ve written and I’ll see if there is anything new.
Thoughts
That’s the list I’m going to crank through over the next few weeks. Let me know if there is more!!