Celiac disease is now recognized as being far more common than previously thought. It is estimated that there are about 300 symptoms or conditions that could be celiac in disguise. Symptomatic patients often see numerous doctors and suffer some 9 or more years before they are properly diagnosed.
Gluten sensitivity is gaining recognition as a clinical condition distinct from celiac, with many of the same symptoms but there may be no enteropathy.
Symptoms related to gluten often extend far beyond the gut. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1471490604002479)
The only treatment for gluten-related illness at this time is a gluten-free diet for life.
Learning which foods are safe, how to avoid hidden sources of gluten, and how to achieve nutrient adequacy within the gluten-free diet is a process that usually takes several months.
The earlier one starts working with a knowledgeable dietitian the better, to start feeling well in the short-term and avoid the serious complications that can occur over time. Use this acronym from the National Institutes of Health to optimize the treatment of gluten-related illness:
- Consultation with a skilled dietitian
- Education about the disease
- Lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet
- Identification and treatment of nutritional deficiencies
- Access to an advocacy group
- Continuous long-term follow-up by a multi-disciplinary team
In addition, MRT-LEAP can improve patient results from the gluten-free diet since gluten-intolerant patients often have concurrent food sensitivities.
Learn more about celiac disease in this recent newsprint supplement, where MRT-LEAP gets a plug on page 4:
It is important to note that the MRT test does NOT test for celiac or gluten sensitivity – that is a different pathway and requires a different test.
For more information on MRT see the links to the right. For help with celiac disease, gluten intolerance and/or the MRT-LEAP protocol, contact Andrea Nero, RD at gourmetRD@gmail.com.
