Celiac disease, sometimes referred to as sprue, is a disorder characterized by problems in your small intestine that stop you from absorbing some of the nutrients in your diet. Eating a low-carb diet will not cure the disorder. However, you can control the effects of celiac disease by strictly limiting your intake of a protein called gluten, which is in certain carbohydrate-based foods.
Celiac Disease Basics
Doctors don't know exactly what triggers the onset of celiac disease. When people with this disorder consume gluten-containing foods, their immune systems activate mistakenly and damage or completely destroy structures in the small intestine called villi, which normally allow the body to absorb the nutrient content of food into the bloodstream. When the villi don't function properly, the body enters a state of malnourishment. Potential triggers for the onset of celiac disease include severe emotional stress, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infections and surgical procedures. There is no cure for the disease.
Sources of Gluten
Gluten is in a variety of grains and grain products, including wheat, rye, barley, durum, spelt, kamut, semolina, triticale, graham flour, farina and matzo meal. Oats commonly come into contact with wheat during growing and/or processing, and therefore may also contain some gluten. Additional products that commonly contain gluten include cereals, pastas, cookies, pies, cakes, croutons, crackers, and a variety of sauces, gravies and soups. Certain other products may also contain some gluten, including toothpaste, lipstick or lip balm, modified food starch and other food additives, and some vitamins and medications.
Gluten vs. Carbohydrates
The grains and grain products that contain gluten are classified as carbohydrates. Despite this, not all carbohydrates are grains, or contain gluten. Additional types of carbohydrate-containing foods include fruits, vegetables, dry beans and peas, nuts, seeds, milk and other dairy products. Limiting the amount of these gluten-free foods in your diet will not diminish the effects of celiac disease. Rather, the key point in dealing with the disorder is the strict avoidance of gluten and gluten-containing foods and substances.
Considerations
Technically, you cannot cure celiac disease, but if you stick to a gluten-free diet, you are likely to stop disease-related symptoms. This also helps to heal intestinal damage and avoid future damage. In some cases, people with celiac disease don't respond to a seemingly gluten-free diet. Typically, people in this category are still consuming gluten in some form despite their best efforts. If you have celiac disease, consult your doctor and a registered nutritionist. They can help you identify potential hidden sources of gluten and plan a diet that still fulfills all of your basic nutritional needs.
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