The Importance of a Gluten Free Diet for Celiac Disease
By: John R. Daly
Celiac disorder, also identified as gluten protein intolerance, is a genetic disease. Celiac patients must follow a gluten free diet or display numerous debilitating physical conditions.
The Importance of a Gluten Free Diet for Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a condition where a person‘s body cannot digest gluten, which is a protein that is found in wheat, barley and oats. Currently, a gluten-free diet is the only treatment for this condition. Below are some of the reasons that celiac disease patients should eliminate gluten from their diet:
Unpleasant symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation are extremely common in people who have celiac disease. These symptoms will only continue to get worse as long as a person is eating gluten. In fact, these symptoms can become so annoying that they interfere with a person's daily life.
Malnourishment
Celiac disease interferes with the body's ability to absorb nutrients. Eating food gluten can make it even more difficult for the body to get the nutrients that it needs. Over time, a person will become malnourished.
Loss of bone density
Again, people with celiac disease often lack many of the essential nutrients, and that includes vitamin D and calcium. Vitamin D and calcium are two of the essential nutrients that support the bones strong. Patients will begin to lose bone mass if they do not get enough of those nutrients.
Lactose intolerance
Doctors have found that people who have celiac disease are also more likely to become lactose intolerant.
Lactose intolerance is a condition where the body cannot digest milk and other dairy products. Experts believe that since gluten damages the intestines, it can interfere with the body's ability to tolerate other types of food.
Complications
Celiac disease can lead to a number of complications if it is left untreated. People who have this condition are more likely to be infertile, and women are more likely to suffer a miscarriage. Additionally, intestinal cancer, bone cancer and liver disease are more common in people with celiac disease. All of those conditions can potentially be fatal.
Unpleasant symptoms, malnourishment, bone density loss, lactose intolerance and serious complications are just a few of the many reasons that people with celiac disease should avoid gluten.
The best way to avoid gluten is to look for products that are labeled "gluten-free." When dining out, people also need to make sure that they ask whether any item on the menu has gluten in it. Additionally, one may also want to consider consulting with a nutritionist.
Celiac disorder, also identified as gluten protein intolerance, is a genetic disease. Celiac patients must follow a gluten free diet or display numerous debilitating physical conditions.
The Importance of a Gluten Free Diet for Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a condition where a person‘s body cannot digest gluten, which is a protein that is found in wheat, barley and oats. Currently, a gluten-free diet is the only treatment for this condition. Below are some of the reasons that celiac disease patients should eliminate gluten from their diet:
Unpleasant symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation are extremely common in people who have celiac disease. These symptoms will only continue to get worse as long as a person is eating gluten. In fact, these symptoms can become so annoying that they interfere with a person's daily life.
Malnourishment
Celiac disease interferes with the body's ability to absorb nutrients. Eating food gluten can make it even more difficult for the body to get the nutrients that it needs. Over time, a person will become malnourished.
Loss of bone density
Again, people with celiac disease often lack many of the essential nutrients, and that includes vitamin D and calcium. Vitamin D and calcium are two of the essential nutrients that support the bones strong. Patients will begin to lose bone mass if they do not get enough of those nutrients.
Lactose intolerance
Doctors have found that people who have celiac disease are also more likely to become lactose intolerant.
Lactose intolerance is a condition where the body cannot digest milk and other dairy products. Experts believe that since gluten damages the intestines, it can interfere with the body's ability to tolerate other types of food.
Complications
Celiac disease can lead to a number of complications if it is left untreated. People who have this condition are more likely to be infertile, and women are more likely to suffer a miscarriage. Additionally, intestinal cancer, bone cancer and liver disease are more common in people with celiac disease. All of those conditions can potentially be fatal.
Unpleasant symptoms, malnourishment, bone density loss, lactose intolerance and serious complications are just a few of the many reasons that people with celiac disease should avoid gluten.
The best way to avoid gluten is to look for products that are labeled "gluten-free." When dining out, people also need to make sure that they ask whether any item on the menu has gluten in it. Additionally, one may also want to consider consulting with a nutritionist.
