14 | Greenstone health august 2017 What is Celiac disease ?
14 | Greenstone health august 2017 What is Celiac disease ?
TCeliac disease is a serious genetic autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine . It affects 1 in 100 people . Are you one of them ?
he inspiration for this article was a quote I read some time ago by E . A . Bucchianeri : “ Food is not simply organic fuel to keep body and soul together , it is a perishable art that must be savoured at the peak of perfection .” It seems to me that food plays an integral role when it
comes to optimal health . We all should consider gluten-free …
Celiac disease ( Nontropical sprue , Celiac sprue , Glutensensitive enteropathy ) is characterised by diarrhoea and an abnormal small intestine structure caused by the immune system ’ s response to a protein known as gluten . Gluten ( its smaller derivative , alpha-gliadin ) is found in barley , wheat , oats and rye grains .
Only the gliadin portion has been demonstrated to activate celiac disease and corn and rice do not appear to activate celiac disease and are farther removed from wheat .
Symptoms appear during the first three years of life , after cereals are introduced into the diet . The infant may have a poor appetite ( weight loss ), offensive smelling bowel movement ( large pale or light yellow stool that floats ), anaemia , irritability , nausea , abdominal swelling and gas . A child is likely to have an anaemic , undernourished appearance . They may exhibit dermatitis herpetiformis , and even stunted growth . Ulcers in the mouth may develop . The early introduction of cow ’ s milk is also believed to be a major causative factor . Celiac disease often leads to a lactose deficiency , causing lactose intolerance , and the increased intestinal permeability usually results in multiple food allergies . Breast-feeding and delayed administration of cow ’ s milk and cereal grains are the primary preventive measures .
A second peak occurs during the third decade of life . Autoimmune disorders that can be associated with Celiac Disease may include Sarcoidosis , Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus , Thyroid disease , SLE and RA to name but a few . Celiac disease is often misdiagnosed as Spastic Colon or IBS . Factors that may trigger the onset are emotional stress , viral infections , surgery , pregnancy and physical trauma .
It is interesting to note that gluten is a pathogenic factor in the development of schizophrenia . It is substantiated by clinical , epidemiological and experimental studies .
There is an increased frequency of celiac disease in people with some specific genetic markers known as HLA-B8 and DRw3 that appear on the surface of cells
similar to the genetic markers of blood type . An abnormality in the immune response rather than some ‘ toxic ’ property of gliadin causes the damage to the intestinal tract in celiac disease : The damage is the result of the immune system trying to neutralize gliadin and in the process , destroying surrounding intestinal tissue .
The treatment of celiac disease is clear :
• Eliminate all sources of gliadin ;
• Eliminate dairy products initially ;
• Identify and eliminate all food allergens ( celiac disease impairs digestion );
• Maintenance of a strict gluten-free diet is difficult : read labels carefully in order to avoid hidden sources of gliadin ( soy sauce , modified food starch , ice cream , soup , beer , wine , vodka , whisky , malt and other foods );
• Celiac disease will often not clear up if there is an underlying nutrient ( e . g . zinc ) deficiency ;
• Correct underlying nutritional deficiencies by taking a high-potency multiple-vitamin and mineral formula ;
• Pancreatic enzymes such as 5,000 IU of lipase , 2,900 IU of amylase and 330 IU of protease can be beneficial in the treatment of celiac disease . In the first two months after diagnosis , pancreatic enzymes at dosages described , should be used to speed up the healing process . If you do not
respond within two months , consult with your doctor again to reconsider the diagnosis .
• Alfalfa supplies Vit K , which is often deficient in celiac disease . Do not take large doses of synthetic Vit K ( toxic in the newborn and causes sweating and flushing );
• Consume foods such as leafy greens , tomatoes , strawberries , whole grains , yoghurt , raisins , figs , nuts , legumes , sunflower seeds and blackstrap molasses ;
• Malabsorption of Vit B12 results from celiac disease . Supplement as directed on label ;
• N-acetylglucosamine forms the basis of complex molecular structures of the mucous membranes of the intestinal lining . Supplement as directed on label .
• A good probiotic goes a long way . Acidophilus can help to restore the intestinal flora ;
• Gluten free products are available at good health shops .
• Consult resources and information on gluten-free recipes .
Spring is in the air – some 30 days awaiting us . Here is one of my favourite smoothies : Gluten-free , dairy-free and oh , so yummy !
Ingredients : 1 fresh banana , ½ cup blueberries , ¼ cup walnuts or 2 tablespoons of protein powder ( hemp or rice ). Add pineapple juice , orange juice and some coconut milk ( or coconut water ). Blend and voilà … jam-packed bullet in a glass . Avocado can be added for a creamy texture and remember : ice transforms a smoothie into soft-serve-style frozen dessert that can be enjoyed with a spoon .
Let ’ s look after our bodies and one day our bodies will look after us . Some food for thought …
Dr . Pierce van Tonder ( D . Herb )( SA ) is a Board Certified Medical Herbalist ( AHG : USA ) and Phytotherapist . He is in private practice with a special interest in Chronic disease and General-Well Being of Society . He is a qualified Iridologist , Nutritionist , La Stone Masseur , Reiki Master & Dance Movement Therapist . Visit us at Life Roseacres Hospital , Cnr Castor Rd & St . Josephs St , Symhurst , Primrose . Call 011-842-7651 for appointments or 079-346-0001 . Email : drvantonder @ gmail . com or read the blog : http :// drvantonder . wordpress . com
Beer battered fish and onion rings
Our resident ‘ foodie ’, Anél Potgieter , explains how to make good old-fashioned fried fish .
here is little in our culinary world that comes close to a ‘ just out of the pan ’ fried fish . I recently made my own beer-battered version ; it is a simple recipe . Take one cup of self-raising flour , 1 cup of beer and a large pinch of salt and voilà ! There you have it .
Just so you know , I did not place the onion rings in ice before tossing them in the batter – as the batter tends not to stick properly … the trick with the batter is to ensure that all your ingredients are dry before dipping it in the batter .
Fish and onion rings in beer batter ( Serves 4 )
• 250ml self-raising flour
• 250ml beer
• 2,5ml salt
• 4 hake pieces , patted dry with a paper towel
• 2 big onions , peeled and sliced into rings ( not washed nor placed in ice )
• Oil for deep-frying
• Maldon salt
• 1 lemon
• 4 bread rolls
Mix the flour , beer and salt . Dip both the fish and the onion rings in the beer batter to ensure they are well coated in batter , fry until brown and crisp . Sprinkle with Maldon salt and add a squeeze of lemon juice . Serve on a freshly baked bread roll with an ice-cold beer . Enjoy ! about Anél
Food writer Anél Potgieter ’ s blog was announced the winner of the 2014 and 2013 Eat Out Food Blog of the Year Award – the first time that someone has won twice in a row . She won SABC2 ’ s first season of Dinner Divas in January 2013 . She also writes a weekly food column for Rapport and is a regular face on SABC3 ’ s breakfast show , Expresso . For recipes , visit www . lifeisazoobiscuit . com