Gluten-free diets are commonly connected to celiac disease where you are unable to tolerate gluten products. More than 2 million Americans have been diagnosed with celiac disease, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Lactose-free diets are necessary when people suffer with lactose intolerance, or the inability to digest lactose. However, a case report presented in 1987 and published in "Gut" looked at patients with celiac disease who started a gluten-free diet and developed psuedopolycythaemia, which is a benign condition that resembles polycythemia.
Gluten-Free Diet
When people with celiac eat gluten, it destroys the tiny protrusions lining the small intestines and stops nutrients from being absorbed. Gluten is found in foods containing wheat, rye and barley. A gluten-free diet requires complete elimination of all foods containing gluten including breads and pastas made with wheat, rye or barley flour, cereals and a variety of sauces, soups and dressings. Gluten products are used as thickening agents for many products such as soups and sauces. If you are on a gluten-free diet, it is important to look at food labels and learn to identify hidden gluten. Many product manufacturers now are coming out with gluten-free alternatives.
Lactose-Free Diet
Lactose-free diets require the removal of dairy products and other products containing lactose. Dairy products such as cheese, cream, milk, ice cream and yogurt should be avoided. Other sources of lactose include pancakes or waffles made with milk products; cakes, muffins and breads made with milk products; instant mashed potato mixes; butter; creamed vegetables; breaded meats; processed meats and mixed dishes such as pizza or casseroles unless you know they are lactose-free.
Polycythemia
Polycythemia is a bone marrow disease that increases the number of blood cells in the body, particularly the red blood cells. This increase causes blood thickening and an increased risk of clotting. Symptoms can include breathing difficulty, dizziness, headache, itchiness, red coloring of the face, a bluish skin color, fatigue and vision problems. Treatment is designed to reduce the thickness of the blood and prevent bleeding and clotting. Phlebotomy, or the removal of blood, is often used on a regular basis to decrease blood thickness. Your physician may advise you to take aspirin to thin the blood.
Considerations
If you have been diagnosed with polycythemia or psuedopolycythemia as a result of celiac disease, talk with your physician regarding the best possible diets to follow. In patients with pseudopolycythemia, their red cell mass is within normal range despite a high hemoglobin count. The researchers from the study published in "Gut" believe that the predisposition for polycythemia may be in celiac patients, but the malnutrition caused by celiac blocks the development of high hemoglobin. Once a gluten-free diet is introduced and absorption returns to normal, the hemoglobin rises. It is important to discuss dietary needs with your physician and have your blood levels monitored regularly.
References
- "Gut"; Pseudopolycythaemia and Coeliac Disease; JR Crampton, et al.; August 1987
- MedlinePlus; Polycythemia Vera; February 28, 2011
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC); Celiac Disease; September 2008
- MedlinePlus; Lactose Intolerance; July 7, 2010
- Drugs.com: Lactose Free Diet
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