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Celiac is characterized by an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat and other cereal grains. When challenged with gluten, the body's immune system attacks the cells lining the small intestine causing digestive chaos and nutrient malabsorption. It's treated by strict avoidance of gluten-containing products. This gastrointestinal disease is different from another common disease called gastroesophageal reflux disease that affects the esophageal and stomach areas of the digestive system.

With regards to the increase in numbers of Celiac disease cases, scientists are stumped. But it strikes me that we might consume a lot more gluten today then they did in the 50s. As anyone trying to avoid gluten can tell you, gluten is in virtually every type of processed food and our diet has become increasingly dominated by processed foods. Perhaps over-exposure to this protein increases the chance of developing an intolerance?

Other possible explanations include environmental and lifestyle changes. As people spend more time indoors (and slather themselves with sunscreen when they go out), vitamin D deficiency has been on the rise, and has been linked with other auto-immune conditions, particularly multiple sclerosis.

Perhaps widespread use of over-the-counter and prescription acid-blockers (unavailable in the 50s) plays a role in this digestive disorder. All that stomach acid we're suppressing normally helps break down proteins. Incompletely digested proteins could be more likely to provoke an immune reaction, especially if they "leak" into the blood stream from the large intestine.

Perhaps a decrease in our consumption of naturally-fermented foods with beneficial bacteria plays a role? Beneficial bacteria help maintain the integrity of the intestinal lining and prevent large molecules (such as intact proteins) from being absorbed into the bloodstream.

It doesn't seem like a stretch to imagine that the increase in refined sugar consumption could be related. A high sugar diet can affect the intestinal flora and function as well as determine whether or not an individual develops colon polyps. There are a lot of paths for future inquiry.

The good news is that manufacturers are responding to the growing demand for gluten free products. Avoiding gluten has become fashionable among people without celiac disease as well. A return to unprocessed, whole foods can also make gluten avoidance easier--no mysterious ingredients, no hidden gluten. For more information on Celiac disease and colon cancer prevention contact your local Gastroenterology and Hepatology specialists.

Celiac disease is unrelated to other possible gastrointestinal conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease. For most people suffering from celiac disease, following this diet will stop symptoms, heal existing intestinal damage, and prevent further damage. Improvements begin within days of starting the diet. The small intestine is usually completely healed in 3 to 6 months in children and younger adults and within 2 years for older adults. Completely healed means a person now has villi that can absorb nutrients from food into the bloodstream. In order to stay well, people with celiac disease must avoid gluten for the rest of their lives. Eating any gluten, no matter how small an amount, can damage the small intestine. The damage will occur in anyone with the disease, including people without noticeable symptoms. Depending on a person's age at diagnosis, some problems will not improve, such as delayed growth, tooth discoloration, and the presence of colon polyps, if any.

Some people with celiac disease show no improvement on the gluten-free diet. The condition is called unresponsive celiac disease. The most common reason for poor response is that small amounts of gluten are still present in the diet. Advice from a dietitian who is skilled in educating patients about the gluten-free diet is essential to achieve best results.

Rarely, the intestinal injury will continue despite a strictly gluten-free diet. People in this situation have severely damaged intestines that cannot heal. Because their intestines are not absorbing enough nutrients, they may need to directly receive nutrients into their bloodstream through a vein (intravenously). People with this condition may need to be evaluated for complications of the disease. Researchers are now evaluating drug treatments for unresponsive celiac disease. For additional information on treating celiac disease and colon cancer prevention, please contact your local gastrointestinal specialists.

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