1

Celiac Disease
Aaron Crane
Foundations of Nutrition
Vernon, Ronald
4-19-16

Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder. This means the immune system inside of
our body attacks healthy cells. This happens to people who have celiac when they eat gluten.
Gluten is a protein that is found inside of wheat, barley, and Rye. When nutrients are being
absorbed into the body the immune system attacks villi inside of

our intestines which

reduces the ability to absorb the nutrients our body needs

such as: iron, folate, vitamin b12, calcium, proteins, fats

and

fat-soluble vitamins. This can also lead to future cancers,

painful ulcers, osteoporosis, and much more. (McGill, 2005)
Celiac is a hereditary disease meaning it derives from the gene build up from our
ancestors. Most cases of CD seem to relate back to those who came from England and those who
are white. Those who have ancestors that have had CD have a five percent chance of acquiring it
as well. (Celiac Disease 2015) Celiac may be dormant for many years and activate at any time.
Researchers thought that it used to be acquired during childhood but recent studies have found
that it can occur at any age. Many dont even know that they have CD. The reason for this, is the
generic symptoms that can be associated with many things. Some symptoms are: anemia, fatigue,
weight loss, diarrhea, osteoporosis, and lactose intolerance. (McGill, 2005) Not all symptoms are
prevalent in every case of CD making it difficult to associate the symptoms with the disease.
Even with the advancements in technology people are still left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the main causes for misdiagnosis. IBS and CD have

very similar triggers and

symptoms. Twenty to thirtyseven percent of people with
CD fulfill the symptom based
ROME criteria for IBS making
it very difficult to get a correct diagnosis. (El-Salhy, 2015)
One percent of the population of the United states has celiac disease and the numbers are
rising quickly. (Presutti, 2007) New tests have been created to be very specific and very sensitive
in order to rule out IBS. Initial testing begins with testing for Serum Immunoglobulin A (IgA) as
well as Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies. These tests are very specific and sensitive in
order to give

the best diagnosis but are also reasonably priced. (Presutti,

2007) If found positive a biopsy on the small intestine will
be done with four separate samples in order to ensure

Normal

correct diagnosis. Whitney Crane was recently diagnosed

with CD and went through many of these test and also
problems in the previous paragraph. After suffering for ten

Abnormal

years doctors and specialists were able to confirm her

biopsies positive for celiac disease.

After receiving her diagnosis, she is now taking action to ensure the symptoms go away.
Whitney is now on a gluten-free diet that prevents her from consuming any gluten. The effects of
gluten in her intestines has been devastating after being classified as a three on a scale from one
to four. Her ability to absorb the nutrients she needs is minimal making it difficult to stay
energized through the day and fulfill her motherly duties. Even though she has been diagnosed

with CD it will still take months for her to feel normal again. Her symptoms may last up to
twelve months after going on a gluten-free diet. (McGill, 2005)
CD is not treatable with pills or surgery, but study and research have come far to
introduce pills that counteract the effects of gluten in CD patients. The genetic build-up of barley
when it is sprouting has enzymes that counteract the building of gluten. EP-B2 have been used to
experiment with suppressing the effects of gluten on the body. Researchers have found that it
slows the process of attack and allows CD patients to eat foods with gluten in it with minimal
consequences. (Brownlee, 2016) This will never replace eating carefully but can definitely
provide the ability to indulge in favorite gluten foods.

Works Cited

Brownlee, C. (2006). Getting Back at Celiac. Science News, 170(1), 45. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org/stable/4017290 16 April 2016
Crane. Whitney, 2016, interview 14 April 2016
Celiac Disease. (2015). Digestive Disorders, 54-56. EBESCO host 16 April 2016
El-Salhy, M., Gunnar Hatlebakk, J., Helge Gilja, O., & Hausken, T. (2015). The relation between
celiac disease, nonceliac gluten sensitivity and irritable bowel syndrome. Nutrition
Journal, 14(1), 1-8. doi:10.1186/s12937-015-0080-6. 18 April 2016
McGill, M. (2005). What causes celiac disease? Nursing, 35(7), 29. 18 April 2016
Presutti, R. J., Cangemi, J. R., Cassidy, H. D., & Hill, D. A. (2007). Celiac disease. American
Family Physician, 76(12), 1795-1802. 16 April 2016