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Medical Edge Newspaper Column from Mayo Clinic
CELIAC DISEASE SUFFERER SHOULD EMBRACE GLUTEN-FREE DIET
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My husband was just diagnosed with celiac sprue
disease. He has been trying to follow the gluten-free diet, and finds
it really difficult. So far, he only seems to get worse in the energy
category and finds this really discouraging. Is there anything that can
be done to improve his health? We’re at the end of our rope. We are about
to lose everything if he doesn’t get back to somewhat of a normal life.
— Texas.
ANSWER: Celiac disease (once known as “sprue”) is a disorder of
the small intestine. In it, the protein portion of grains (gluten) causes
inflammation to intestinal tissue, impairing its ability to break down
and absorb food and causing pain. An estimated one in 133 people in the
United States now has celiac disease — a tenfold increase in the past
10 years.
A person who has celiac disease must stop eating wheat, barley and rye
because they contain gluten. While developing new eating habits may seem
daunting, it can be done. Over time, your husband may see that a gluten-free
diet presents delicious and healthful meal possibilities — meats, fruits,
vegetables and potatoes can be eaten as before, for the most part. Then
he’ll add new and tasty gluten-free products that will leave him feeling
better than he has in years.
Beyond the immediate goal of feeling better and recovering his energy,
your husband also should make these dietary changes to avoid further long-term
injury to his small intestine.
Sticking to a gluten-free diet can be challenging. Gluten is in an astonishing
array of products — many of which are staples of American food. For example,
gluten is in most cakes, crackers, cookies and breads — and sometimes
in products as diverse as soy sauce, processed chocolate milk and bottled
salad dressing. Satisfying substitutes are available — mostly sold at
the larger grocery store chains around the country, or at health food
stores and co-ops.
Some foods our registered dietitians recommend to patients who have celiac
disease include healthful meats, fruits, vegetables, rice and potatoes
combined with gluten-free products such as pizza crust mix, pretzels,
brownie mix, cakes and muffins. Even a gluten-free beer is now available.
Gluten-free bread recipes are delicious and plentiful. Celiac disease
support groups improve them by recommending which bread makers perform
best on gluten-free recipes.
If you and your husband need help devising new recipes that suit your
family, I encourage you to seek out celiac disease support groups. And
even in you don’t need help, the fellowship and support may open new possibilities
for living better on the gluten-free diet. Your family physician or a
registered dietitian can help you locate a support group.
In regard to your husband’s energy level: Sometimes energy can be low
due to a lack of some essential nutrients. Malnutrition is a common consequence
of celiac disease. His doctor may be able to detect deficiencies that
could worsen the fatigue. An expert registered dietitian can help identify
foods to correct the deficiencies.
If your husband fears that his new food lifestyle is limited, please help
him focus on the fact that he will feel much better soon. Given the distress
and discomfort he now endures, the transition to a new way of eating will
seem like a small price to pay for relief.
Joseph A. Murray, M.D., Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, Minn.
Additional Resources:
Treatment
of Celiac Disease
Appointment Information
More
Information on Celiac Disease
—
READERS: Super-sized food portions are one reason Americans have
a super-sized obesity problem. “Studies show that people eat more when
they are served more,” says Rose Prissel, Mayo Clinic registered dietitian.
Another finding: The more people eat in restaurants, the more body fat
they have.
Being aware of portion size can help you avoid a bulging belly. Think
of a woman’s hand to visualize portions. A closed fist is about the size
of a single portion of vegetables or fruit. The palm is about the size
of a single portion of meat.
Consider using a smaller plate in order to serve yourself a more reasonable
portion and avoid that temptation of just one (or two or three) more bites.
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Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t
replace regular medical care. To e-mail a question, go to www.mayoclinic.org,
or write: Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite
114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com.
© 2004 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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