Aaltrude
11-28-10, 08:23 PM
by Dr Vikki Petersen
I know that I frequently talk about the importance of having a healthy gut, but until we regularly achieve that goal then I suppose it’s important to continue talking about it!
In the advance online issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology last February 2010, the results of a study performed at Mayo Clinic were reported. Dr Murray, a long-time researcher in the field of gluten intolerance, reported that in 57 percent of adult celiacs, tissue damage persists after 5 years of adherence to a gluten-free diet. In an effort to evaluate the effect of persistent intestinal damage on long-term health he concluded that regardless of age or sex, adults with celiac disease whose intestinal tissues experienced recovery were less likely to die from all causes than were men and women with persistent damage.
So now you see why I persevere on this topic – it’s actually a matter of life and death. The study was conducted on 241 adults, 176 of whom were women with an average age of 47. The participants were confirmed as having celiac via intestinal biopsy. The group had follow-up biopsies 2 and 5 years post-diagnosis. Dieticians who met with the participants deemed that 66 percent had good adherence to a gluten-free diet, which is common compared to other similar studies. Yet only 43 percent of those patients who were diligent on their diet achieved mucosal recovery. In summary, 34 percent of the celiac population does not follow their diet, and thus we can assume have poor intestinal healing. And of the remaining “good” gluten-free followers, 57 percent still do not achieve the goal of intestinal healing and recovery.
We have a problem. Taken as a whole, 72 percent of our celiacs do not achieve intestinal healing and therefore are, according to this study, more likely to die from all causes as compared to those who have achieved healing. I underlined “all causes” above because I think it speaks to the fact that gluten affects so many systems of the body that those who suffer from an intolerance are subject to feeling it’s effect in a multitude of ways. While the researchers noted that perhaps gluten was “sneaking” into the diets of those who appeared compliant, I personally don’t believe that answers the problem of healing.
Certainly the first place to begin with any patient whose healing is not occurring is to meticulously examine what they’re eating for hidden sources of gluten. But it’s important to not stop there. Other steps must also be taken:
Eliminate dairy products. They are a known inflammatory agent and I see much better results when patients exclude it from their diet
Get evaluated for any infectious organisms such as parasites, bacteria, amoeba and yeast.
Also evaluate the health and diversity of the microbiota or probiotics of the intestine. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of having a strong gut immune system.
Discover any nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B12, D, etc.
Consume more organic fruits and vegetables. The average American requires 7 servings and sometimes I question whether they achieve 2. This is definitely an area that universally needs improving.
Stay hydrated. I find many patients are dehydrated and can’t adequately eliminate toxins due to this state.
Strive to eliminate as many medications as you possibly can from your system. Many are known to create a leaky gut, exactly what you are striving to prevent.I hope that you find this helpful. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
To your good health,
Dr Vikki Petersen
Founder of HealthNOW Medical Center
Co-author of “The Gluten Effect”
http://glutendoctors.blogspot.com/2010/10/why-do-some-celiacs-never-heal.html
I know that I frequently talk about the importance of having a healthy gut, but until we regularly achieve that goal then I suppose it’s important to continue talking about it!
In the advance online issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology last February 2010, the results of a study performed at Mayo Clinic were reported. Dr Murray, a long-time researcher in the field of gluten intolerance, reported that in 57 percent of adult celiacs, tissue damage persists after 5 years of adherence to a gluten-free diet. In an effort to evaluate the effect of persistent intestinal damage on long-term health he concluded that regardless of age or sex, adults with celiac disease whose intestinal tissues experienced recovery were less likely to die from all causes than were men and women with persistent damage.
So now you see why I persevere on this topic – it’s actually a matter of life and death. The study was conducted on 241 adults, 176 of whom were women with an average age of 47. The participants were confirmed as having celiac via intestinal biopsy. The group had follow-up biopsies 2 and 5 years post-diagnosis. Dieticians who met with the participants deemed that 66 percent had good adherence to a gluten-free diet, which is common compared to other similar studies. Yet only 43 percent of those patients who were diligent on their diet achieved mucosal recovery. In summary, 34 percent of the celiac population does not follow their diet, and thus we can assume have poor intestinal healing. And of the remaining “good” gluten-free followers, 57 percent still do not achieve the goal of intestinal healing and recovery.
We have a problem. Taken as a whole, 72 percent of our celiacs do not achieve intestinal healing and therefore are, according to this study, more likely to die from all causes as compared to those who have achieved healing. I underlined “all causes” above because I think it speaks to the fact that gluten affects so many systems of the body that those who suffer from an intolerance are subject to feeling it’s effect in a multitude of ways. While the researchers noted that perhaps gluten was “sneaking” into the diets of those who appeared compliant, I personally don’t believe that answers the problem of healing.
Certainly the first place to begin with any patient whose healing is not occurring is to meticulously examine what they’re eating for hidden sources of gluten. But it’s important to not stop there. Other steps must also be taken:
Eliminate dairy products. They are a known inflammatory agent and I see much better results when patients exclude it from their diet
Get evaluated for any infectious organisms such as parasites, bacteria, amoeba and yeast.
Also evaluate the health and diversity of the microbiota or probiotics of the intestine. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of having a strong gut immune system.
Discover any nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B12, D, etc.
Consume more organic fruits and vegetables. The average American requires 7 servings and sometimes I question whether they achieve 2. This is definitely an area that universally needs improving.
Stay hydrated. I find many patients are dehydrated and can’t adequately eliminate toxins due to this state.
Strive to eliminate as many medications as you possibly can from your system. Many are known to create a leaky gut, exactly what you are striving to prevent.I hope that you find this helpful. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
To your good health,
Dr Vikki Petersen
Founder of HealthNOW Medical Center
Co-author of “The Gluten Effect”
http://glutendoctors.blogspot.com/2010/10/why-do-some-celiacs-never-heal.html