Download What is Celiac Disease

What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease with no known cause; it is triggered by
consumption of the protein called gluten which is found in wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten
ingestion triggers the white blood cells to attack the lining (villi) of the small intestine,
damaging the villi and thus hindering the absorption of nutrients from food.
About 1% of Americans have celiac disease and it can affect men and women of all ages
and races. Five to 22 percent of patients have family members with the disease. Celiac
disease is also linked or can lead to the following disorders:
• Infertility
• Malnutrition
• Reduced bone density
• Cancers
• Neurological disorders
• Other autoimmune diseases
• Anemia
Symptoms of celiac disease
In adults
• Bloating
• Gas
• Diarrhea
• Itchy skin rash
• Tingling/numbness
• Paleness
• Mouth sores
• Joint pain
• Delayed growth
• Headaches
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Thin bones
• Discolored teeth
• Infertility
In children
Some symptoms of celiac disease in children differ from those in adults.
• Irritability (most common)
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Vomiting
• Bloating and gas
• Fatigue
• Damaged or discolored teeth
•
•
Skin rashes (known as dermatitis herpetiformis)
Iron deficiency anemia
Diagnosis of celiac disease
• Diagnosis rate may reach 50 - 60% by 2019 as a result of raising public awareness
• Only 5 - 10% of celiac cases are diagnosed
• Only way to be diagnosed is to be tested
o Blood test is done; if positive, then a biopsy of small intestine is performed
(checks for inflammation)
• Bone density test
• Cholesterol (may be low)
• Complete blood count (CBC) to test for anemia
• Comprehensive metabolic panel
• Folate level (serum)
• Iron level (serum)
• Prothrombin time
• Vitamin B12 level (serum)
• Vitamin D level
Treatment of celiac disease
There is no cure for celiac disease, but it can be managed through a strict, life-long,
gluten-free diet and the careful reading of food labels. This diet heals intestines within 3 6 months in children and 2 - 3 years in adults.
A gluten-free diet
• Naturally gluten-free foods such as :
o Plain meat
o Fish
o Fruits
o Vegetables
• No food containing wheat, rye, or barley
• Use of common gluten-free alternatives such as:
o Brown rice
o Quinoa
o Corn flour
o Corn starch
o Guar gum
o Amaranth
o Tapioca starch
o Potato flour
o Potato starch
o Almond flour
o Soy flour
o Sweet rice
o Buckwheat
o Teff
o Xanthan gum
o Lentils
Healthy diet
It can be difficult to adapt to a gluten-free diet, as American diets typically contain high
amounts of gluten. Some gluten-free foods are high in calories, saturated fat, or
cholesterol and may contain little nutrition. Remember, gluten-free junk food and sweets
are not healthy just because they do not contain gluten!
Also keep in mind that when not properly treated with a gluten-free diet, celiac disease
leads to damage of the villi in the small intestine which are responsible for the absorption
of nutrients such as iron and folic acid into the bloodstream. That is why it is important
for people with celiac disease to eat a diet rich in iron and folate found in the following
foods:
High iron foods
• Red meat
• Chicken or turkey
• Beans
• Shrimp
• Lentils
• Tofu
• Cashews
• Baked potatoes
• Chia seeds
• Gluten-free oatmeal
High folate foods
• Beans
• Lentils
• Edamame
• Peanut butter
• Sunflower seed butter
• Avocado
• Oranges
• Strawberries
• Beets
• Green leaves
Doctors may prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements to treat any possible
malnutrition as a result of celiac disease.
Support for celiac disease
It is recommended that people with celiac disease enlist the help of a registered
dietitian for help with meal plans, recipe ideas, and help in reading food labels.
Joining a support group is also recommended as it may help to cope with the disease
and help to stay informed with the many aspects of celiac disease.
Resources for patients with celiac disease
Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University:
http://www.celiacdiseasecenter.columbia.edu/CF-HOME.htm
Celiac Disease Foundation: http://celiac.org/
Celiac Support Association: http://www.csaceliacs.org/
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness: http://www.celiaccentral.org/
The Mayo Clinic has a good section on celiac disease on their site:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/celiac-disease/index.html
The University of Chicago Hospitals Celiac Disease Program:
http://www.uchospitals.edu/specialties/celiac/index.html
University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research Center for Celiac Research:
http://www.celiaccenter.org/
William K. Warren Medical Research - Center for Celiac Disease:
https://health.ucsd.edu/SPECIALTIES/GASTRO/AREAS-EXPERTISE/Pages/celiacdisease-clinic.aspx
References and recommended readings
Celiac disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website.
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/celiacdisease/Pages/facts.aspx. Updated January 27, 2012. Available March 24, 2015.
Celiac disease (gluten intolerance). A National Center for Biotechnology Information
website. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0024528/?report=printable.
Available March 24, 2015.
Jaret P. The truth about gluten. WebMD website. http://www.webmd.com/diet/truthabout-gluten? Reviewed March 02, 2011. Available March 24, 2015.
Review Date: 3/24/15
Contributed by: Laure Stasik, MS, RD, LDN, BSN, RN