Celiac disease

Celiac disease, or sprue, is a rare disorder that causes malabsorption of nutrients due to a sensitivity or intolerance to gluten, a cereal protein found mainly in wheat, rye and barley. Corn and rice are gluten-free. Celiac disease becomes apparent in children within six months of being weaned from the breast and with the incorporation of foods containing gluten. Less severe cases may not be discovered until adulthood. Typically, diarrhea accompanies vomiting and a painfully bloated abdomen one to two hours after a meal, with large, smelly, shiny stools. When these symptoms are absent, the signs of malnutrition become apparent. These are anemia, weight loss, infertility and, in children, a failure to grow and thrive. A rash, recurring canker sores, bone pains and mood swings accompany these symptoms.

Sensitivity to gluten in celiac disease is hereditary. Gluten damages the intestinal mucous membranes which gives rise to painful diarrhea, and poor absorption of nutrients. Maintaining a strict, gluten-free diet usually eliminates all symptoms and restores the affected person to health. Some adults are able to reintroduce small quantities of gluten in their diet, while others suffer relapses from the minutest amounts. Since other intestinal disorders have very similar symptoms, a professional diagnosis is recommended.

Supplements and herbs

There is an increased need for nutrients because food is poorly absorbed as a result of the intestinal inflammation. In addition to the necessary change in diet, supplementation helps to quickly rectify the malnourishment.
Digestive enzymes, which digest gluten, should be supplemented to improve overall absorption and assimilation of nutrients. In addition, a good multivitamin/mineral should be added for support. A lack of vitamin B6 is partly responsible for symptoms of celiac disease. Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P-5-P) should be supplemented. Digestive problems are often associated with absorption difficulties. P-5-P is the active form so no conversion is required to make vitamin B6.
A B complex vitamin should be added. In addition, the essential fatty acids and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K are often lacking because the absorption of fats is particularly poor with this condition. While vitamins A, D and E are found in multivitamin supplements, vitamin K can be supplemented through green foods, especially alfalfa. Green food supplements contain many essential nutrients, including trace minerals. Evening primrose oil is a good source of the omega-6 essential fatty acids.
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids should be taken additionally to improve resistance to disease.
Silica soothes inflammations in the gastrointestinal tract. It is available in both capsules and gel form.
Medicinal clay is excellent in promoting healing of the walls of the colon and protecting it from irritation by toxins and abrasive matter.

Herbal remedies can help soothe intestinal irritation and inflammation and heal damaged mucous membranes.

• Take 4 drops of agrimony tincture in water, three times daily.
• Sufficient silica in the intestines will reduce inflammation, and strengthen and rebuild connective tissue. Take 3 cups of silica-rich horsetail tea or 15 drops of tincture in liquid three times daily.
• A combination of burdock, slippery elm, sheep sorrel and Turkish rhubarb tea helps different types of inflammations in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Use dandelion, saffron and yellow dock herbal teas to that purify and nourish the blood.

What else you can do

• Hydrotherapy to the abdomen is excellent for healing intestinal walls.

How much to take

• Multivitamin supplement, as directed on the label
• Papain, 500 mg three times daily
• Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg one to three times daily
• Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate, 50 mg daily
• Vitamin B complex, 50 mg twice daily
• Vitamin B12, 100 mcg
• Green food supplements, 1 tbsp
• Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily
• Silica, 3-6 capsules; in the gel form, follow the directions on the label
• Medicinal clay, dissolve 1 tsp. of clay in 1/2 cup of water at room temperature and drink twice daily

For kids

Celiac disease is usually diagnosed before a child is two years of age, and a diet free of gluten is the primary treatment. Your child may need a lot of support, however, in sticking to this diet. She won't be able to eat what her friends are eating, which poses a great challenge to a child. Celiac disease is a chronic problem and so must be cared for throughout your child's lifetime. Deviating from the restricted diet at any time can cause a relapse. Counseling and support groups can help parents and children deal with the emotional issues that arise with a chronic illness.

See age-appropriate dosages of herbal remedies

• Aloe vera, taken in small amounts, can help decrease inflammation in the intestines. Be sure to buy the edible (food-grade) form of this plant. Give your child 1/2 teaspoon, twice a day, as needed.
• Slippery elm is soothing to the digestive tract. It can be taken in capsule or tea form, or made into a paste with water and added to food. Slippery elm has a mild taste. Give your child one dose, once or twice a day, as needed.

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