Relevant information about the five most popular restrictive diets: Gluten-free, Lactose-intolerant, Pescetarianism, Vegan and Vegetarian.
Celiac disease, also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is an autoimmune and digestive disorder that causes the small intestine’s lining to be damaged when foods that contain gluten are eaten. Gluten is found in some grains and is a form of protein. When the intestine is damaged, the body is unable to absorb important nutrients like folate, iron, calcium, and fat. Typically, the immune system is supposed to protect against foreign invaders. When people with celiac disease eat gluten, their immune system forms antibodies to gluten which attacks the intestinal lining. This damages the villi and causes inflammation in the intestines, preventing the person from absorbing nutrients properly.
There are many different symptoms that come with celiac disease. The biggest one is a problem digesting. This can include weight loss, pale stools, diarrhea, gas, pain, and abdominal bloating, and can make you feel very uncomfortable. Celiac disease can also cause dermatitis herpetiformis which is a severe skin rash. Other symptoms include aphthous ulcers (sores in the mouth), tingling sensation in the legs (caused by low calcium and nerve damage), seizures, growth problems, musculoskeletal problems (bone and joint pain and muscle cramps), and iron deficiency anemia. Celiac disease can also lead to further health problems, such as osteoporosis, which is a disease that weakens the bones and leads to fractures. It can also lead to cancer of the intestine, although this is very rare, and birth defects caused by poor absorption of nutrients. It can also lead to other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, type 1 diabetes, and thyroid disease.
The main treatment for celiac disease is pretty simple – removal of all gluten from the diet. This includes oats, barley, rye, and wheat. Removing all gluten from your diet not only improves the condition of your disease, it should also eliminate any and all symptoms. The damaged villi can typically be healed in less than 2 months. You will have to remain on a gluten-free diet for the rest of your life, however, as eating gluten can cause the problem to return. If your intestines are significantly damaged, you may need to receive nutritional supplements through an IV. Living with a gluten-free diet can seem overwhelming at first, and it will be a big change in your life, but luckily it is possible and actually good for your health. You will need to rethink your eating habits, however, which includes where you go out to eat and what food you buy at the grocery store. Get used to reading the ingredients of packaged foods, and always ask for a gluten free option at any restaurant before ordering. Bread and pasta made from other types of flour are available, and you can also eat fresh foods that have not been artificially processed. Ideally, you should talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about your gluten-free diet, and together you can come up with a meal plan that you can follow. This will not only ensure that you do not eat gluten, it will ensure that you are getting enough nutrients and eating from all of the food groups.
