Information gathered from one of my favorite books Prescription for Nutritional Healing (5th edition).
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Along with diet change I believe that herbs, supplements and vitamins are a necessary part of healing from illness and disease. Celiac symptoms can be controlled by eliminating gluten. However, there are additional elements to healing that will create a happier, healthier you. Here I have provided some of the most beneficial holistic healing recommendations for Celiac disease from one of my favorite and trusted resources.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease (also called celiac sprue) is a chronic digestive disorder that is caused by a hereditary intolerance to gluten. Gluten is a protein component of wheat (including durum, semolina, and spelt) rye, oats, barley and related grain hybrids such as triticale and kamut. When a person with this disease consumes gluten it causes damage to the small intestines. It is believed the body responds to gluten as if it was an antigen, and launches an immune system attack when it is absorbed by the intestine. This, in turn, causes the lining of the small intestine to swell. As a result, tiny hairlike projections called villi suffer damage and destruction, which impairs the body's ability to absorb vital nutrients.
Symptoms: The first signs of celiac disease (CD) are usually bloating, chronic diarrhea, pain, weight loss, and nutritional deficits. Other symptoms can include: nausea, abdominal swelling, large, pale yellow colored stools that float, depression fatigue, irritability, muscle cramps, wasting and joint and bone pain. Infants and chidlren may exhibit stunted growth, vomiting, and intense burning senstion in the skin, and a red, itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis. A baby with CD may gain weight more slowly than typical or may lose weight. The infant may have a poor appetite, gas, and offensive-smelling bowel movements. The child is likely to have an anemic, undernourished appearance. Ulcers may develop in the mouth.
This disease is much more prevalent in the population than was once believed, affecting at least 3 million Americans. Studies by the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program indicate that as many as 1 in 133 apparently health people is affected. There is no known cure for CD but it can be controlled by lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet.
*If you believe you have CD, talk with you doctor or holistic healer. If you want to pursue a blood test panel, continue eating gluten.
Unless otherwise specified, the dosages recommended here are for adults. For a child between the ages of 12 - 17, reduce the dose to three-quarters of the recommended amount. For a child between 6-12, use one-half of the recommended dose, and for a child under the age of 6, use one-quarter of the recommended amount.
Nutrients ~ Essential
1. Essential Fatty Acids (dosage: as directed on label)
Needed for the villi in the intestines.
2. Free form Amino Acid (dosage: as directed on label)
To supply protein in a form ready available for use by the body.
3. Glutathione (500 mg 3x daily)
As amino acid needed for repair of the intestinal tract.
4. Kyo-Dophilus from Wakunaga (dosage: as directed on label)
A dairy-free and yeast free probiotic formula to replace the friendly bacteria.
5. Multi-Vitamin: (dosage: as directed on label)
All nutrients are necessary in balance: use a wheat-free, yeast-free product only.
6. Vitamin B complex (dosage: as directed on label)
Malabsorption of vit B12 results from celiac.
Nutrients ~ Important
1. L-carnitine: (2 grams per day)
Shown to increase energy levels because it is involved with muscle energy production.
2. N-A-G: (dosage: as directed on label)
Forms the basis of complex molecular structures of the mucous membranes of the intestinal lining.
3. Vitamin K: (dosage: as directed on label)
Fat-soluble vitamins are not absorbed well in this disorder
4. Zinc Lozenges: (1 15 mg lozenge 5x daily...do not exceed a total of 100 mg daily for all supplements).
Nutrients ~ Helpful
1. Magnesium: (750 mg daily) with...
2. Calcium: (1,500 mg daily) works with magnesium
3. Vitamin C: (2,000 - 5,000 mg daily in divided doses)
4. Vitamin D3: (dosage: as directed on label)
5. Proteolytic Enzymes: (dosage: as directed on label)
Recommendations
1. Eat fresh vegetables, legumes (such as lentils, beans, and peas), rice bran, nuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, figs, and "seedy" fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
2. Be sure to chew your foods thoroughly before swallowing. This improves the intake of nutrients.
3. Read all labels carefully and watch for hidden sources of gluten such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein, textured vegetable protein, hydrolyzed plant protein and all derivatives of wheat, rye, oats and barely including malt, modified food starch, some soy sauces, grain vinegars binders, fillers, inert substances, and "natural flavorings."
Considerations
1. Do not eat sugary products, processed foods, or dairy products. It may be necessary to remove milk and milk products from the diet because of a secondary lactase deficiency.
Conclusions
1. Listen to your body - understand when your body is telling you STOP, I DON'T LIKE THIS.
2. Keep a record of foods that make you feel good and foods that make you feel bad.
3. Drink lots of filtered water.
4. Check all the fabulous blogs available for gluten-free support and recipes.
5. Get tested for Celiac disease. Or listen to our body and refrain from eating gluten if it makes you feel ill. Often, this is test enough for some.
6. Check out The celiac disease foundation for more information.
7. Love your body - cherish yourself and treat your body and health as you would if you were taking care of another. Respect your body and provide nurturing, healing foods, be empathetic and refrain from directing anger and negative energy within. Seek therapeutic outlets such as hobbies, yoga, meditation, anything cathartic and healing. Stress, anxiety and negative energy will only break down your body, destroy your healing and damage your immune system. Work with your body, love your body...it's the only one you've got!
Shared on: Fat Tuesdays
