Holistic celiac disease treatment at BionwoRx

Celiac disease

A functional medicine approach to celiac disease.

Seeking a natural way to support your health after being diagnosed with celiac disease? Our friendly BionwoRx provider can assist you. This page covers:

Understanding your condition

What is celiac disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes the body to react abnormally to gluten, a protein found in wheat, spelt, rye, barley, and oats. This abnormal reaction damages the villi, the small finger-like projections lining the intestines. This damage, known as villous atrophy, can lead to reduced nutrient absorption, increased inflammation, and intestinal permeability, potentially causing a wide range of complications even after gluten consumption has stopped.

While adopting a gluten-free diet may help alleviate digestive symptoms, there is no cure for celiac disease. Instead, a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment.

Celiac disease

Holistic treatment for celiac disease.

Beyond going gluten-free, people with celiac disease can take several measures to improve their gut health, digestion, and overall wellbeing, reducing the risk factors and complications associated with the condition.

At BionwoRx, our practitioner uses a natural functional medicine treatment approach to support these individuals, providing information and protocols for a healthier, happier gluten-free life.

Functional medicine approach to treating celiac disease.

Celiac disease symptoms.

Unlike a food allergy, coeliac disease occurs in genetically susceptible individuals and is a gluten-triggered, T-cell mediated autoimmune condition affecting the gut. It is more severe than gluten intolerance or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, with more serious and ongoing health consequences.

Unfortunately, up to 50% of people with coeliac disease experience no obvious symptoms, meaning the condition is vastly underdiagnosed. Symptoms can also vary greatly between individuals, making it very challenging for those affected to know when they’ve been exposed to gluten. In fact, around 80% of Americans with celiac disease remain undiagnosed, and some wait over a decade before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

Some common signs and symptoms experienced by those with undiagnosed or unmanaged coeliac disease include:

Digestive

Skin

  • ‍Dermatitis

Brain/cognitive

  • ‍Brain fog
  • Headache or migraine

Other

  • Bone and joint pain
  • Fatigue
  • Menstrual irregularity
  • Weight loss
  • Mouth ulcers

Other health complications.

People with coeliac disease often face a wide range of potential health complications, even after removing gluten from their diet. These can include:

  • Impaired growth, dental enamel abnormalities, and nutritional deficiencies (particularly iron, folate, and B12)
  • Amenorrhea (missed menstrual periods), infertility, and recurrent miscarriage
  • Polyarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, rickets, and sarcoidosis
  • Chronic thrombocytopenic purpura and pernicious anemia
  • Premature osteoporosis and low-trauma fractures
  • Sjögren’s syndrome, multiple sclerosis, alopecia, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, and Addison’s disease
  • Autoimmune hepatitis, blocked bile ducts, pancreatic insufficiency, and elevated liver enzymes
  • Neuropathy and depression
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Bowel cancer

Although there is no cure for coeliac disease, taking a proactive approach with holistic support can help people with the condition improve their overall health and prevent further health complications.

Celiac disease causes and contributing factors.

Researchers are still investigating the root causes and contributing factors of celiac disease. While they have found a growing number of proven links, evidence is mounting for other potential causes as well. So it’s likely that celiac disease doesn’t have a single root cause, but rather develops due to a combination of factors, including:

Genetics: Genetics play a major role in whether someone develops coeliac disease.

The prevalence of celiac disease is significantly higher among first-degree relatives, who are five times more likely to develop it compared to the general population. Additionally, identical twins have a 70% concordance rate for the condition. Celiac disease can emerge at any stage of life, and it affects women twice as frequently as men.

Viral infections: Research suggests that gastrointestinal viral infections, like rotavirus, may trigger a higher risk of developing celiac disease.

Intestinal dysbiosis: Research suggests that people with intestinal dysbiosis have a higher risk of developing coeliac disease. This includes children who were exposed to systemic antibiotics in their first year, those born via C-section, and those who were not breastfed when gluten was first introduced into their diet.

Other contributing factors to celiac disease.

Early exposure to gluten: Early studies have suggested that exposing infants to gluten at a young age could lower their risk of developing celiac disease. However, more recent research has failed to support this hypothesis.

Food additives: Many common food additives and preservatives can inflame and aggravate the gut. Additionally, food additives have been linked to triggering the development of celiac disease, especially in people genetically predisposed to it. Furthermore, the hybridization of wheat species and the use of pesticides like glyphosate on grain crops have also been found to contribute to the development of celiac disease and other abnormal autoimmune responses.

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Conventional treatment of celiac disease.

The current recommended approach for diagnosing celiac disease involves two main tests. First, an intestinal biopsy can identify villous atrophy, which is a key indicator of the condition. Additionally, blood tests are commonly used to check for the presence of IgA and IgG antibodies.

It’s important to note that both the biopsy and blood tests require the person to be consuming gluten at the time of testing in order to obtain accurate results. This is why traditional practitioners advise people to continue eating gluten until their diagnosis is confirmed.

Another option is gene testing for the GLA gene, which doesn’t necessitate ongoing gluten consumption. However, the presence of this gene only indicates a genetic predisposition, and does not definitively confirm celiac disease or guarantee that the condition will develop.

In summary, the recommended diagnostic pathway combines intestinal biopsy and blood antibody testing, with the caveat that gluten must be consumed during the testing process. Gene testing can also provide useful information, but has limitations in terms of conclusively diagnosing coeliac disease.

Once a doctor diagnoses you with celiac disease, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist for further testing to see if there is any damage to your intestinal lining. Unfortunately, there is no cure for celiac disease, so those who receive this diagnosis are advised to avoid gluten for the rest of their lives.

Functional testing for celiac disease.

How to test for celiac disease.

In addition to standard testing, there are various functional tests that can help identify the root causes and triggers of celiac disease. These tests can also prevent the development of other related symptoms. Some of these tests may include:

Celiac disease support using the functional medicine approach.

Using the functional medicine approach, our coeliac disease specialist regularly supports people with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or those who suspect they may have it. They take a deeper look at your overall health and wellbeing, helping you recover from the damage caused by celiac disease. Coeliac disease support commonly includes:

Investigating other reactive foods.

Individuals with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity often experience higher rates of allergies, sensitivities, and other autoimmune conditions, including lactose intolerance. Our practitioner can use allergy testing to identify any additional foods you may need to avoid in your diet.

A tailored gut repair protocol is often a key part of a natural treatment approach. This protocol typically includes a mix of soothing herbal medicines and targeted probiotic strains. For example, a 2019 study found that the probiotic strains Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9 and L. paracasei 8700:2 positively influenced the levels of specific immune cells involved in celiac disease.

Restoring the gut.

Additionally, nutrients and herbs like glutamine, slippery elm, goldenseal, licorice, and aloe vera can all actively promote gut repair and protect the intestinal lining. Meanwhile, herbs such as echinacea, baical skullcap, alfalfa, and nettles can aid immune support and improve overall nutritional status.

Addressing nutritional deficiencies.

People with celiac disease often struggle with poor nutrient absorption, leading to deficiencies in key vitamins and minerals like iron, vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients. Our knowledgeable practitioner will guide you on which foods to avoid if you have coeliac disease, and may recommend regular pathology testing to assess your nutrient levels. Based on your individual dietary needs, they can then create personalized nutritional protocols to help you maintain optimal health.

Personalized support.

Celiac disease is a lifelong autoimmune condition, but with the right support, people with celiac can live long, healthy lives. Autoimmune disorders can flare up at any time, causing a resurgence of symptoms – especially after stressful events, pregnancy or childbirth. Our practitioner will continue working closely with you through every stage of your coeliac journey, providing the guidance and resources you and your family need to thrive on a gluten-free lifestyle.

FAQs.

Is celiac disease an autoimmune disease?

Yes, the immune system of people with coeliac disease mistakenly reacts to gluten in the small intestines, causing the tiny, finger-like projections called villi to flatten and become inflamed. This condition, known as villous atrophy, reduces the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, leading to malnutrition and digestive symptoms. If left undiagnosed and untreated, several serious health conditions can develop.

Is celiac disease genetic?

The genes linked to a predisposition for celiac disease are HLA DQ2 and HLA DQ8, which can be detected through a simple blood test. However, having these genes does not necessarily mean you will develop coeliac disease. In fact, around 50% of the population carries one or both of these genes, but only about 2.5% of these individuals will actually be diagnosed with coeliac disease.

Does celiac disease cause weight gain or weight loss?

Celiac disease can affect the small intestines, where most nutrients are absorbed. As a result, many people with coeliac experience weight loss. However, a small percentage may actually have the opposite reaction – they can experience metabolic disturbances and weight gain instead. Additionally, other metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are often associated with coeliac disease.

What is the difference between gluten intolerance and celiac disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the lining of the small intestines. It’s caused by the immune system’s reaction to gluten. In contrast, gluten intolerance (also called non-celiac gluten sensitivity or non-coeliac wheat sensitivity) can trigger similar gastrointestinal symptoms, but without the intestinal damage seen in celiac disease. While the symptoms of gluten intolerance subside once gluten is removed from the diet, the consequences of the intestinal damage in coeliac disease can persist long after eliminating gluten.

Can you have celiac disease without symptoms?

Around 80% of people with celiac disease remain undiagnosed, some without any noticeable symptoms. This autoimmune condition can develop at any stage of life. While most people with celiac disease feel unwell after consuming gluten-containing foods, some may not experience any symptoms at all.

Common symptoms of coeliac disease include:

  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Recurring mouth ulcers
  • Fertility problems
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss

For those with coeliac disease, accidental exposure to gluten is often referred to as being “glutened.” This can trigger a painful acute episode, with symptoms like extensive bloating, abdominal pain and cramping, brain fog, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. Symptoms typically appear within 1-2 hours of consumption and can last for hours, days or even weeks. However, the intestinal damage caused by gluten exposure is an ongoing issue, even if you don’t have noticeable symptoms.

Whether you have a confirmed diagnosis or just suspect celiac disease, our functional medicine practitioner can help you identify which foods to eat and avoid, so you can live a long, healthy gluten-free life. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

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