Its no Joke Glutten Free is the Way to go for Diabetics. Why?

When I was about 27 years old I became very sick and didn't understand why.  I was losing weight despite that I was pregnant with my daughter.  I couldn't keep food down and of course I was having some intestinal issues as well.  I ended up in the hospital prior to her birth and they began doing some checking when they discove red I had Celiac Disease.  Doctor says to me that I can no longer have things made with wheat, rye, barley.  My heart sunk.  I was trying to figure out what was next for me to eat.

I wasn't really sure about what it is that causes Celiac Disease and how it worked in my body.  I will give you an explanation on what it is exactly and show you how it works in your body.  I will also be writing about the links between Celiac Disease and Diabetes.   

Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food.




When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying villi—the tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine. Villi normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much food one eats.

Source:  http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/#what

Celiac disease is genetic, meaning it runs in families. Sometimes the disease is triggered—or becomes active for the first time—after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or severe emotional stress. 

It is considered a Malabsorption problem.  Nutrients are not able to be absorbed by the intestines through the villi so our bodies can be healthy. 


Adults are less likely to have digestive symptoms and may instead have one or more of the following:

• unexplained iron-deficiency anemia
• fatigue
• bone or joint pain
• arthritis
• bone loss or osteoporosis
• depression or anxiety
• tingling numbness in the hands and feet
• seizures
• missed menstrual periods
• infertility or recurrent miscarriage
• canker sores inside the mouth
• an itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis

You may develope these other types of Disease or have one or more of these other Diseases:

• type 1 diabetes
• autoimmune thyroid disease
• autoimmune liver disease
• rheumatoid arthritis
• Addison's disease, a condition in which the glands that produce critical hormones are damaged
• Sjögren's syndrome, a condition in which the glands that produce tears and saliva are destroyed

These diseases often go hand in hand and are usually related to not having good or healthy nutrition from Celiac Disease and its Malabsorption problems.
 http://www.eatright.org  use this link for a complete guide to eat a healthy gluten free diet.

Now that we have a better understanding of what the cause and symptoms are how does it relate to you and me as Diabetics.  It seems it is more apt to be a disease that can often go hand in hand with type 1 Diabetes.  It is often diagnosed in children with Diabetes.  Here is what one article states about that.

Evidence of Celiac disease is present in a high percentage of children at the time of diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, and these individuals typically develop Celiac disease within 4 years of their diabetes diagnosis. In contrast, autoimmune thyroid disease typically follows the diagnosis of diabetes by an average of 10 years. Thus, screening for Celiac disease should be considered early in young individuals with diabetes, whereas screening for thyroid disease should be considered for decades after diabetes diagnosis.

Source:  http://clinical.diabetesjournals.org/content/26/2/85.full

There is no real answer at this time if it is a precursor to Type 2 Diabetes, but the studies are still continued in answers about Celiac Disease and the affects on the body.  I am wondering at this point if I was not a Diabetic possibly  type 1 When I was a young girl told that I was Borderline Diabetic at the age of  11.  I suggest that if you have been told this at a young age you should follow up with your physician as an Adult and let them know of all your juvenile health issues. 

There are things that if you are being diagnosed with them as adults can loop back to a possible diagnosis as a juvenile that may have been missed.  It really hasn't been until recently that they have got better tests to diagnose Celiac Disease and Diabetes has come along way from 20 or 30 years ago. 

Always consult with your health care professional if you notice things that become different to you.  Make notes and keep track of issues. 

I hope this article has helped you in understanding Celiac Disease.  There are many products out there now that are Gluten Free.  There are many recipe sites for those who will be cooking Gluten free.  Type Gluten Free Recipes into your browser and go from there the possibilities are endless.

Here is to you all and your quest to be healthier better informed Diabetics.  If you have any questions or idea's for a blog and if you just want to communicate with me connect at diabetic.day2013@gmail.com