Thrive Nutrition & Wellness

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity

Thu, 31 May 2018 14:35:44 GMT

Yes, you can be sensitive to gluten and not have celiac disease.

My goal for Celiac Disease Awareness Month is primarily to inform and educate people on celiac disease specifically, hence the name. However, any talk of celiac disease is not complete without discussion of non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Outside of the varying extremes of a gluten free diet undertaken for celiac disease and those following it in hopes of losing weight or because their favorite celebrity is doing it, there are people who are sensitive to gluten but do not test positive for celiac disease. The name for this is non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), more often referred to as "gluten sensitivity," and becoming more accepted as a true health issue in the medical world.

People with NCGS do not test positive for antibodies or have the same villous atrophy that those with celiac disease do, yet they experience true negative impacts from ingesting gluten, including gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, brain fog and headaches. They are not experiencing an autoimmune condition, but that does not mean that gluten's impact on their symptoms and quality of life is not real.

In fact, studies have shown that gluten can increase intestinal permeability in anyone. So although the damage to the gut may not be as extreme as in those with celiac disease, there are people without celiac disease who can truly benefit from a gluten free diet. There have been documented improvements in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, MS, migraines, and even autism when people stop eating gluten. For anyone beginning a gluten free diet, especially someone hoping to use it therapeutically to help with a health condition, it is important to make sure you are meeting all of your nutrient needs, which is where an experienced nutrition professional can be a huge help.

There is no diagnostic test for NCGS, it is more a condition of exclusion. If all testing has been completed and celiac disease is ruled out, (as well as wheat allergy) but avoiding gluten improves the symptoms, you are said to have NCGS or be gluten sensitive. At this point it does not seem that NCGS brings any increased health risks, however, someone experiencing it likely has compromised gut health which can lead to a wide array of other health concerns. Depending on the underlying cause of the gluten sensitivity, there is a chance that healing the gut through nutrition and lifestyle changes could allow tolerance of gluten again, or at least reduce or eliminate symptoms and reduce the risks of additional health concerns in the future.

Feel free to contact me for more information.

Other Considerations for Those with Celiac Disease

Wed, 30 May 2018 13:12:47 GMT

Sometimes more than a gluten free diet is necessary

Many people, after going gluten free, feel much better very quickly. Other people take more time. Everyone's body is unique and the length of time you've been dealing with symptoms and damage to you gastrointestinal tract varies, therefore the time it takes to repair the damage will vary as well. Children and younger people tend to bounce back more quickly, while older adults may take longer simply because our bodies regenerate and repair themselves more slowly as we get older.

If you've been on a gluten free diet for some time and are not experiencing improvements, it can be helpful to consult with an expert. It is possible that you are still being exposed to gluten in your foods or environment. It is also possible that there are additional food intolerances at play. These are often not long-term sensitivities, but are an issue until your body has been able to repair the damage to the small intestines.

Common culprits are dairy products, oats (even certified gluten free ones), other whole grains, and a category of foods that are high in specific types of compounds, commonly known as FODMAPS.

Additionally, giving your body the nutrients it needs to repair itself, correcting deficiencies, and healing a damaged gut are all vital for helping you feel your best quickly and completely. People with celiac disease are more likely to be suffering from other conditions such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, candida and other autoimmune conditions. Understanding these and working with them also ensures better results.

If you just aren't feeling as good as you know you should, or are struggling with the gluten free diet in general, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. There's so much to know about being gluten free and having celiac disease and it's valuable to work with someone who truly understands it.

Contact me for more information.

5 Places Gluten Can Lurk When Eating Out

Fri, 25 May 2018 14:12:19 GMT

Eating out with celiac disease is hard. Ask the right questions to reduce your risk of gluten exposure through cross contamination.

Gluten Free Buffalo Quinoa Bites

Thu, 24 May 2018 14:20:59 GMT

Love the flavor of Buffalo wings? This appetizer has it in a bite-sized package without the meat. Plus it's simple and quick!

Gluten Cross Contamination in the Home

Wed, 23 May 2018 13:07:14 GMT

There are sneaky places gluten can hide, even in your own home.

Gluten, Gluten Everywhere

Mon, 21 May 2018 14:21:10 GMT

Checking Personal Care Products

Did you know that many personal care products, including lotions, shampoos, conditioners, makeup, toothpaste and lip balm can contain gluten?

Experts agree that gluten on the skin does not get absorbed in a way that can harm the digestive system of someone with celiac disease, even in the case of dermatitis herpetiformis (a skin manifestation of celiac disease). However, certain products should be purchased gluten free.

Any product that goes in your mouth or on your lips is likely to be ingested and could therefore cause symptoms and damage just like gluten in food. It is important to make sure these items are gluten free.

For most people, this includes lip balm, lipstick, toothpaste, and mouthwash at a minimum.

I am also careful with any personal care products that I may inadvertently ingest, including lotion, hand sanitizer and most makeup. Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are other items to consider purchasing gluten free. This is especially important to think about as the parent of a child with celiac disease, as kids are quite likely to accidentally get these products in their mouths. Your level of strictness in purchasing your personal products is up to you, but if you are at all concerned about the possibility of getting certain products getting into your mouth, I would purchase them gluten free. Many people figure, why risk the possibility if they can find products that they like?

Check your personal products, some may be labeled gluten free. If they aren’t, you may need to do a little digging to find out if they contain gluten or not. You can check online or call the company directly.

To give you a head start, here are some recently updated articles with information about gluten free products:

Snack Attack!

Fri, 18 May 2018 13:05:49 GMT

Ten healthy, easy gluten free snack ideas

Just a Crumb

Thu, 17 May 2018 15:53:29 GMT

Why do people with celiac disease have to avoid gluten completely and worry about cross-contamination?

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own (or paste your own from a different source).
To control the color or size of this text, please change the global colors or text size under the Design section from the left menu of the editor.

Could Sneaky Gluten Be Making You Sick?

Wed, 16 May 2018 12:56:51 GMT

Gluten Exposure Through Cross Contamination and Hidden Ingredients

If you have celiac disease, it's important to be aware of places that hidden and trace gluten can hide. Small amounts of gluten can be enough to cause damage to your small intestines, antibodies to be produced, and symptoms to be experienced.
Gluten can be found in unexpected places, often as a result of processing and packaging, but also as ingredients that are not clearly identified on labels. In the US, wheat must be called out on foods, but barley and rye (and oats which may be cross contaminated unless certified GF) do not.

Quinoa Mac 'n "Cheese"

Mon, 14 May 2018 15:18:12 GMT

A Healthier Gluten Free, Dairy Free Recipe that is Quick & Easy

Does Where You Live Impact Your Disease Risk?

Thu, 10 May 2018 15:40:53 GMT

A study published in February found that people living north of certain latitudes in the US were more likely to have celiac disease.

Breaking it down:

· The study included over 22,000 people across the United States

· A total of 0.7 percent of those interviewed had been diagnosed with celiac disease

· In the lowest latitudes, (35 degrees latitude and below) only 0.2 percent of the participants had CD. (For reference, this is south of Memphis, Charlotte, and Santa Fe)

· The prevalence rose to 0.6 percent in those living at latitudes between 35 and 40.

· In latitudes 40 degrees and further north, 1.2 percent of people interviewed had CD. (40 degrees latitude includes cities such as New York City, Boulder, Colorado, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Interestingly, another study published the same month estimated the rate of celiac disease to be 3.1 percent in adolescents in Denver, CO. Denver is located just above 39 degrees latitude.

Some other notes:

· The first study also found a higher prevalence of CD in those with more than twelve years of education. (My assumption would be that this link may correlate with an increased ability and likelihood to go to the doctor regularly and have the means to get tested for various conditions.)

· An increased prevalence of CD was also found in those who were overweight or obese. This is quite interesting considering that in the past, people with celiac disease were thought to be underweight and malnourished (although you can absolutely be overweight or obese and malnourished as well).

Although these are just two studies and we can’t really make sweeping conclusions based on them, it brings additional questions to mind, such as:

· Is an increased prevalence of CD in higher latitudes consistent around the world or only in the US?

· Could the risk of CD be related to vitamin D levels, as those north of 40 degrees are likely exposed to less natural sunlight throughout the year?

· Could the higher incidence be, at least in part, due to higher diagnosis, not necessarily higher susceptibility? (Maybe doctors in the northern latitudes are more likely to suspect and test for CD than those in the south for various reasons?)

· If 1.2 percent of people in northern latitudes had CD, what percentage of people are still undiagnosed?

· Does the study showing an increased prevalence of CD in adolescents in Denver indicate a link to higher risk of CD due to location, and/or age? Could the younger generations have a higher rate of diagnosis due to new risk factors?

Of course, these are all questions that require more research. Although we do not have the answers to many of the questions regarding celiac disease, research in this area continues to expand, and more and more clues are being uncovered that have the potential to help with understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and maybe even prevention of celiac disease down the road.

Here are links to the two articles referenced above:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28238771

https://celiac.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/gastro-liu.pdf

The Many Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Wed, 09 May 2018 13:40:18 GMT

Not everyone with celiac disease experiences the same effects. Some people may even think they don't have any symptoms of celiac disease, but they may simply be unaware that their complaints are related to their diagnosis!

This is a great list of the many symptoms people with celiac disease can experience. Many people, including doctors and other health professionals, think that someone must have gastrointestinal complaints in order to have CD, but that is not true. Many people do, but many do not. Oftentimes people do not even realize all of the symptoms they are experiencing that are related to celiac disease until long after diagnosis when they begin to piece clues together.

If you think you might have celiac disease, talk to your doctor. They can send you for a simple blood test to find out if it is a possibility.

Get Tested Before Going Gluten Free

Sat, 05 May 2018 14:54:42 GMT

Current studies estimate that celiac disease (CD) affects anywhere from one to two percent of the US population, and as many as 85 percent of those who have it are undiagnosed.

Although there are some with celiac disease who appear to have no symptoms, many people who have CD will realize effects of the gluten free diet quite quickly after eliminating this protein from their diet.

Some people try out a gluten free diet on their own to see if it makes them feel any different, and that is not a bad approach to take. HOWEVER, it is very important to understand that in order to receive accurate test results for celiac disease (including serological (blood testing) as well as endoscopy and biopsy) you MUST be consuming gluten at the time of the test. (If you are not eating gluten, your body will not be producing antibodies to it which is what the tests detect.)

If you suspect you have CD and have not yet begun a GF diet, please get tested before doing so! It can be very difficult to go back to eating gluten after you understand how much better you feel on a gluten free diet.

If you eliminated gluten from your diet long ago and have never been tested but know it impacts you, you have a decision to make. Do you need to have a definitive diagnosis or are you comfortable not knowing for sure whether you have celiac disease or a sensitivity?

Some people may need a diagnosis in order to help them stick with the diet, feel comfortable that it is in their medical records should anything happen to them, etc. If this is you, and you really want that diagnosis, you are going to have to undergo a “gluten challenge” where you consume gluten again for several weeks before testing to see if your body is producing antibodies to gluten and if it is damaging your small intestine. Many people feel that this would debilitate them so badly that they could not go through it. It is a personal decision and may depend on how long you have been gluten free. Often the longer someone is strictly gluten free, the more sensitive they feel they are to even trace amounts of gluten.

You can also undergo genetic testing which is usually done with a simple blood test. If you have the HLA DQ2 or HLA DQ8 genes, you are more susceptible to CD. It does NOT mean you have active celiac disease. However, a negative test excludes your possibility of developing CD and can be valuable information. If you find out that you do not have the genes for CD, but you know that gluten bothers you, you know that you are dealing with non-celiac gluten sensitivity which is finally being recognized as a real disorder. Gluten is still a problem for you, but you are not dealing with an autoimmune disease.

One more note – you can be negative for celiac disease at one point in time and develop it later. The Celiac Disease Foundation recommends that anyone who has a first-degree relative with CD and has one or both of the genetic markers be tested every 3-5 years.

Potential Treatments for Celiac Disease?

Sat, 05 May 2018 14:38:38 GMT

The increased prevalence of celiac disease has captured the attention of researchers and pharmaceutical companies. Could there be a treatment other than diet soon?

What's new in the world of celiac disease research and treatments?

Check out my article on page 19 of the May 2018 issue of Buffalo Healthy Living to find out the latest news.

Chia Oat Pudding

Thu, 03 May 2018 19:08:04 GMT

A simple and tasty make-ahead breakfast option that will keep you full until lunch!

6 Tips for Going Gluten Free Healthily!

Thu, 03 May 2018 13:50:02 GMT

Some people think that eating gluten free makes you healthy. This can be true or it can be quite the opposite. Here are some tips for transitioning to a gluten free diet in a healthy way.

Do You Love Someone with Celiac Disease?

Wed, 02 May 2018 14:27:18 GMT

If so, you may be at an increased risk of developing it.

If you or someone in your family has celiac disease, it's important for everyone in the family to get tested.

Celiac disease is genetic and according to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, first-degree relatives (that's a parent, child or sibling) have a 1 in 22 chance of developing it in their lifetimes, while second-degree relatives (cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents) have a 1 in 39 risk.

The other important thing to note is that celiac disease can "turn on" at any time . You may be tested now and be negative, but something can trigger it's activation down the road. Regular screenings can improve the rate of diagnosis, reducing damage to the body and potential for serious long term impacts. Screening involves a simple blood test.

You can also check to see if you carry one of the genes that is responsible for celiac disease (HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8). If you are at-risk because a family member has celiac disease and find out you do not carry either of these genes, continued testing would not be necessary because research has shown that only people with one of these genes is at risk of developing celiac disease. Testing for these genes is also done with a blood test.

On the flip side, having one of these genes does not mean you have active celiac disease, it simply means you are "at-risk" of developing it. That does NOT mean you are destined to develop it. Researchers believe that only 1 to 4% of people who have the genes will actually develop celiac disease, which is good news, considering that 35% of the American population carries one of these genes.

Remember, if someone in your family has celiac disease, your risk for this autoimmune condition is increased. However, that does not mean you will develop it. It's simply important to be aware and get tested regularly.

If you have celiac disease, please talk to your family about getting tested. Because celiac disease can manifest itself as completely different symptoms in different people, and some people experience no symptoms at all while still incurring damage to their bodies, this conversation can greatly impact the health of those you love.

Do your part and spread the word!

Fast Facts About Celiac Disease

Tue, 01 May 2018 19:04:41 GMT