A Note from Miguel: Papo secos are not celiac approved

Last night I received a text from a female in her late 50's who's being worked up for Celiac Disease, which prompted this newsletter topic today.

Why? Because bloating is one of the most common things people, specifically females, bring up in my practice. It's also one of the most commonly dismissed. Some have been told "just eat less dairy" or "take a probiotic."

When someone tells me they're dealing with persistent bloating, there's a list of things I want to rule out. One of them is celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where your body reacts to gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye). When you eat it, your immune system attacks your small intestine, and over time, this can damage your gut, making it harder to absorb nutrients.

Symptoms can vary pretty significantly from person to person.

Some people might experience digestive issues like bloating, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.

Others might feel very tired and fatigued and bloodwork may discover an anemia.

Testing starts with having lab work done to determine if there are specific antibodies related to celiac disease.

Of note, celiac disease is commonly underdiagnosed because the symptoms can overlap with so many other conditions (food sensitivities, SIBO, motility issues, hormonal influences).

Celiac Disease requires a strict, life-long gluten-free diet. This means completely avoiding foods that contain wheat, barley, and rye. When gluten is removed, the intestine can heal and symptoms usually improve.

Even small amounts of gluten can cause damage, so avoiding cross-contamination is important. This includes things like shared toasters or cooking surfaces.

Learning how to read labels and ask the right questions when eating out makes a big difference.

With the right approach, most people live completely normal, healthy lives.

Celiac disease is not the same as a gluten sensitivity - it's an autoimmune condition. You can't "cheat" occasionally, even if you don't feel symptoms, because the damage can still happen silently.

Recommendation for today

Papo secos are not celiac approved.

If you have celiac disease and will be watching the first Portugal game of the FIFA World Cup at 1:00pm EST, opt for the sardinhas. They're a great source of omega-3's.

Cuidado com o sal.

FORCA PORTUGAL!

Be well,

Miguel

Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for specific medical decisions.

Thumbnail Image Credit: GeneFood via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)