Celiac Disease: What you can do to heal your gut. This is part 2 of a 2-part article on Celiac Disease. Click here to read part 1.
Gluten-Free
The first thing to do is remove ALL gluten and gluten-containing products, supplements and medications from your diet. This commonly means NO gluten in the household because of easy cross-contamination, i.e. someone spreads peanut butter on bread dipping the butter knife in the peanut butter jar two or three time leaving behind a few crumbs of bread in the peanut butter or a sandwich is made on the same cutting board or counter top surface you latter use to prepare some food.
Numerous products contain hidden sources of gluten such as lip balms and lipsticks, seasonings and spices, gravies and sauces, flavorings, and more. The rule of thumb is: It contains gluten unless proven otherwise. I always recommend calling or emailing a product’s manufacturer if there is a question.
There are a number of helpful web sites and blogs to visit for more information about celiac disease, gluten-free products and medications, and gluten-free recipes and cooking. Here are some of my favorites:
Nutritional repair
Based on scientific studies, it can take up to 18 months to heal the gut on a fully gluten-free diet alone. But, there are nutrients you can take to further support and encourage faster healing of your gastrointestinal tract. These nutrients have been researched and shown effective in the published medical literature to be quite regenerative to the gut. They include such nutrients as the amino acid L-Glutamine, zinc, probiotics (healthy bacteria) and fish oils. L-glutamine is the oxidative fuel or “food” for the small intestinal mucosa and stimulates regeneration and repair of the absorptive surface of the small intestine as does zinc. Probiotics produce short chain fatty acids and other immunologic products that further stimulate gut health and healing as do fish oils.
Correcting Nutritional Deficiencies
As the malabsorption associated with celiac disease is slowly corrected, the repletion of essential micro and macronutrients is essential to establishing wellness and optimal health as soon as possible. To achieve this, I suggest supplementing with a gluten-free, high quality, pure, pharmaceutical-grade multivitamin and multi mineral formula offering the most absorbable forms of nutrients in optimal doses. Basic Nutrients from Thorne Research is an excellent example of what I mean.
To resolve the anemia commonly occurring with celiac disease, an organic form of iron (iron glycinate, iron fumerate, or iron citrate) may be needed along with other supportive nutrients such as folic acid, B12, copper, and vitamin B6. Supplementation of calcium is also commonly needed in children and adult women with celiac disease because poor bone development and osteoporosis is a risk. The best form of supplemental calcium is calcium citrate and/or microcrystalline hydroxyapatite calcium. Calcium supplementation should always be given with other supportive factors such as vitamins D3 and K2, boron, magnesium, water-soluble silica, and others to assure optimal absorption and utilization.
Take-aways...diagnosis, diet, and education
If celiac disease is the suspect in your health problems, build your case well with the appropriate information and testing. If it “looks like a duck,” call it so. Then begin treating it as such using an aggressive dietary and nutritional approach as described above. Also, educate yourself using the resources and links provided. The more you know about this disease and hidden sources of gluten, the better you will do.
Supplements for Celiac-related Conditions - The Dispensary Online
BCQ
Powerful botanical antioxidants and anti-inflammatories for your gut and joints.
Powerful botanical antioxidants and anti-inflammatories for your gut and joints.
Finest Pure Fish Oil - Liquid Orange
Great tasting, pure omega-3 fish oil from sardines and anchovies. Orange flavored.
Great tasting, pure omega-3 fish oil from sardines and anchovies. Orange flavored.
Finest Pure Fish Oil - Liquid Orange Great tasting, pure omega-3 fish oil from sardines and anchovies. Orange flavored.
HLC high-potency
HLC Maintenance is advised in all circumstances where maintenance of an already balanced G.I. tract flora is appropriate. As such, HLC Maintenance often follows the use of HLC High Potency.
HLC Maintenance is advised in all circumstances where maintenance of an already balanced G.I. tract flora is appropriate. As such, HLC Maintenance often follows the use of HLC High Potency.
Glutamine Capsules
Major amino acid for gut repair and health.
Major amino acid for gut repair and health.
Intestinal Repair Complex
Intestinal Repair Complex is a comprehensive nutritional formula desgined to assist in the repair and restoration of a normal, healthy gastrointestinal lining. It contains a combination of plant enzymes, mucilaginous herbs and amino acids.
Intestinal Repair Complex is a comprehensive nutritional formula desgined to assist in the repair and restoration of a normal, healthy gastrointestinal lining. It contains a combination of plant enzymes, mucilaginous herbs and amino acids.
Glutenzyme
Digestive enzyme for the gluten intolerant.
Digestive enzyme for the gluten intolerant.
Ultra Pure Fish Oil - Liquid
High-potency in a single teaspoon, no more Tablespoons!!
High-potency in a single teaspoon, no more Tablespoons!!
Ultra Pure Fish Oil - Softgel Capsules
High-potency capsules, no more handfuls of capsules to get the therapeutic doses of fish oil!
High-potency capsules, no more handfuls of capsules to get the therapeutic doses of fish oil!
There's More to Learn About Celiac
Dr. Peter Greeen Explains Celiac Disease | Mao Clinic on Celiac |
Dr. Donovan is a Naturopathic Physician, author, educator, and a professor of clinical medicine at Bastyr University's Natural Health Clinic. In 2010 he was voted by his professional peers as one of Seattle’s Top Doctors in the Seattle Metropolitan Magazine. Dr. Donovan writes and lectures on the transformational process of healing and believes a person’s healing journey is ultimately a quest for his/her identity, purpose and meaning. He has more than 35 years of patient care experience as a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Naturopathic Physician (ND), representing a wide range of clinical settings from hospital-based surgical and intensive care as a registered nurse to outpatient primary care as a physician.