Gluten Sensitivity vs. Celiac Disease
(Note — don't miss this newer post: Could THIS be the cause of the gluten sensitivity epidemic?!)
My friend, Jen, sent along this article, “Study Sheds Light on Gluten Sensitivity”. Read a few excerpts:
“”For the first time, we have scientific evidence that indeed, gluten sensitivity not only exists, but is very different from celiac disease,” says lead author Alessio Fasano, medical director of the University of Maryland's Center for Celiac Research.”
(How many of you are saying, “No kidding…”?)
“The incidence of celiac disease is rising sharply—and not just due to greater awareness. Tests comparing old blood samples to recent ones show the rate has increased four-fold in the last 50 years, to at least 1 in 133 Americans. It's also being diagnosed in people as old as 70 who have eaten gluten safely all their lives.”
It ends with a hopeless statement:
“For now, a gluten-free diet is the only treatment recommended for gluten sensitivity, though some may be able to tolerate small amounts, says Ms. Kupper.”
But I think they're wrong.
The GAPS Diet could heal MANY people with gluten sensitivities! Could everyone be healed? Probably not. But MANY can, and isn’t it worth the SHOT anyway? Especially knowing that gluten sensitivities could only be the first of many problems ahead if you don’t heal the issue itself and not just avoid what causes the symptoms?
Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride from the UK healed her son of Autism with this diet by healing his immune system and “leaky gut”.
She says, “People with food allergies and intolerances should go through the Introduction Diet in order to heal and seal their gut lining. The reason for allergies and food intolerances is a so-called ‘leaky gut,’ when the gut lining is damaged by abnormal micro flora. Foods do not get the chance to be digested properly before they get absorbed through the damaged wall and cause the immune system to react to them.”
Read Dr. Campbell-McBride’s 12-page article on this very topic, long but worth the read: The GAPS Diet and Food Allergies.
Here’s what Ann Marie says about her health history:
“When I was 25, I was very sick. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The doctors said I would end up in a wheelchair. I also suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome, adrenal exhaustion, and chronic respiratory allergies and sinus infections. I was young, but I felt like an 90-year-old woman. Getting out of bed was a challenge; I was constantly getting sick. I was exhausted and miserable.
I was on nasal inhalers for my allergies and sinus infections and taking pain medication daily for my arthritis. By covering up my symptoms with drugs, I went on eating gluten and sugar, which were damaging my gut even more.
By changing my diet, I was able to reverse all my symptoms. Instead of ending up in a wheelchair, I get to enjoy my life.”
More info:
- Gut Health 101 – Six Q & A about a strong immune system
- Apprehension over the GAPS Diet
- GAPS for Rookies
photo, Creative Commons 2.0
gluten free food says
As a result, the acidity of the undigested protein did a number on her intestines.
Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are serious health concerns and need
to be addressed in a holistic manner. If someone in your household
has been diagnosed with Celiac, it’s time for a kitchen “spring” cleaning.
damaged justice says
Why would I want to heal the holes in my intestinal lining just so I can go back to eating the stuff that poked holes in it in the first place?
KitchenKop says
Good question. It’s so that you can FEEL better, and then make choices in your diet from then on that won’t make you sick again. But wouldn’t it be nice to have a little of whatever it was you were allergic to now and then (at a friend’s house for example if they’re serving you a meal) and not have it make you ill? Especially if your symptoms are severe.
Those are my thoughts anyway.
Kelly
Becky says
To bad the article says the only treatment for gluten sensitivity is a gluten-free diet. So many people have no idea they can be healed completely :/
Gluten free brought be some relief, but Gaps has given me my life back 🙂
Amy K says
I have not looked into the GAPS diet fully( I know that I need to do that still) , but I have my son on digestive enzymes – one that specifically helps break down the gluten. The enzymes have been very beneficial for us. The enzymes we use are Houston Enzymes (over the internet) – I have heard the scientist that started this company speak at an Autism conference – he is brilliant.
melody says
Interesting! Having my daughter tested for Celiac today, but suspect is just a gluten intolerance or wheat allergy. If this is true, is gluten in small doses harmful?
Thanks, Melody
KitchenKop says
I would say yes, and you really should treat the underlying gut problem so that more issues don’t come up later.
Kelly
Erica says
I wonder if you can reverse anything with a traditional diet like multiple schlerosis or lung cancer.
Nancy says
Erica, I have been having astounding success with repairing my health on a Paleo diet. I keep seeing a lot of info on MS concerning the link with diet. Here are 2 pages that you might find helpful-
https://paleodiet.com/ms/
https://robbwolf.com/2008/06/04/the-paleo-diet-vs-multiple-sclerosis/