By Schuyler Corrigan

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June 23, 2023

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Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune digestive disorder where the ingestion of gluten damages the small intestines. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide, but approximately only about 30% are properly diagnosed (1). Most people with Celiac disease have lived with this condition for years – often undiagnosed and unaware of their specific dietary (gluten) triggers. Although Celiac symptoms are primarily in the small intestine, this is considered a “multisystem disorder”, meaning numerous organ systems can be affected by this over time. People with Celiac may experience severe pain, diarrhea, bloating, and gas that may feel debilitating, along with fatigue, headaches, anemia, osteoporosis, or malnutrition. 

What is the treatment?

Currently, the primary therapy for Celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet. Nowadays this is much easier to recognize, and “gluten-free” labels can be easily spotted on packaged foods and menu items. Paying attention to your food labels and familiarizing yourself with all the different forms of wheat and where it is commonly hidden is hugely beneficial. It is important to remember that not all grains contain gluten, and familiarizing yourself with several types of grains is helpful when transitioning to a gluten-free diet. 

 

Examples of gluten-containing grains include: 

• Wheat
• Barley
• Rye
• Couscous
• Spelt
• Semolina
• Durum
• Malt
• Brewer’s yeast
• Farro
• Wheat bran
• Wheat germ

 

For a complete list of all gluten-containing grains and wheat derivatives, visit the Celiac.org reference page. Keep in mind common food ingredients such as soy sauce, gravies, sauces, seasoning mixes, and frozen meals will often contain sources of gluten. Always check your labels!

 

Read more: Transitioning to a Gluten-Free Diet

What is the Naturopathic Approach to Celiac Disease?

If you have been diagnosed with Celiac, your doctor will likely have taken a thorough health history, assessed your symptoms, inquired into your diet, and your family medical history. They may recommend blood tests to assess for antibodies to gluten – as people with Celiac disease will have a higher number of these antibodies in their blood. You may also have lab testing for anemia, or biopsy a small section of the small intestine to look for damage to the villi. It is vital to get a diagnosis as a lack of a diagnosis can lead to severe health consequences. Additionally, your Naturopathic Doctor will dive deeper into your lifestyle, diet, and overall health. Certain supplements or foods may be recommended to speed up the healing process or assist with the assimilation and digestion of nutrients and vitamins. Identifying if there is a lack or deficiency of nutrients or vitamins may also be important after a diagnosis of Celiac. Many nutrients and vitamins serve as key contributors to repairing tissues and assisting with health and growth after damage has occurred.

 

They will often request that you keep a food and symptoms journal to review in follow-up appointments. If you have been suffering from digestive imbalance for several years, it is likely your ability to digest other foods has become compromised as well, with many people sharing a very long list of foods they can not consume. The Naturopathic approach for working with Celiac disease takes time as the goal is to replenish the body after exposure to gluten, meaning,  long-term goals of digestive balance may take 1-3 years which again is dependent upon reparative mechanisms. Gluten will be removed from your diet, and your naturopathic doctor will work with you to provide a nutrition plan with plenty of substitutions and gut-healing foods while also focusing on repair. Diet, along with lifestyle shifts and supplements when appropriate, are all part of the long-term approach to Celiac disease through a Naturopathic lens.