Just How Common are Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity?

The focus should be on gluten syndrome! Please investigate the brilliant and progressive work of Dr. Rodney Ford from New Zealand. Concentrating on celiac disease is like missing the forest for the trees or only paying attention to the tip of the iceberg. Everyone under the huge umbrella of gluten syndrome must follow a zero gluten lifestyle... no exceptions. Proactive prevention is the key to optimal health and well being!

Denise's comment is 'right on target!' My mother and sister have celiac genes. I, however, have 2 genes pre-disposing to gluten sensitivity. They are 'non-reactive' so far. On the other hand, I projectile vomited within 20 minutes of eating - for over 11 years! I had the usual tests - which all came up 'negative.' If I place a bucket in the ocean, and when I pull it out it contains no fish - am I to ascertain that there are 'no fish in the ocean?' Additionally, I cleaned the family toaster last Christmas, after being gluten-free for 7 months, didn't think anything of it, and promptly projectile vomited - without 'consuming' anything! "They" need to be studying ALL people who react to gluten - not just the ones identified as having the celiac disease genes! Maybe they would actually learn something to benefit the good of the group! Additionally, I had 5 colonoscopies with biopsy and 5 endoscopies with biopsy - which were all negative! It was the DNA test that identified the REAL problem! And, it was inexpensive, non-invasive, convenient and as far as I am concerned the REAL GOLD STANDARD for identifying both celiac disease as well as gluten sensitive genes.

I agree. Once the endoscopic biopsy came back negative I was told I have irritable bowel syndrome and need to eat more fiber. My family doctor actually said that's the usual diagnosis when they can't figure out what the real issue is... An Applied Kinesiologist was the one who told me that my stomach issues and vertigo were caused by wheat. I went gluten-free and the stomach issues and vertigo were gone. A couple of months later, I thought, what the heck, I really miss pizza. So I ate pizza and regretted it. I have not deliberately put another gluten-free item in my mouth! Though I have been glutened while eating out so I'm rather paranoid about eating anything I didn't prepare.

I am one of those who has not been officially diagnosed (had an endoscopy, which came up negative but have not had the DNA testing) but whenever I eat gluten I have a myriad of symptoms such as brain fog, lack of concentration and no energy, joint pain and digestive irritability. Why do that to myself? Just because a doctor doesn't know how to diagnose something doesn't mean there isn't something there. I liked Eloise's comment above "If I place a bucket in the ocean, and when I pull it out it contains no fish - am I to ascertain that there are no fish in the ocean?" Of course not! Good analogy.

Denise's comment is 'right on target!' My mother and sister have celiac genes. I, however, have 2 genes pre-disposing to gluten sensitivity. They are 'non-reactive' so far. On the other hand, I projectile vomited within 20 minutes of eating - for over 11 years! I had the usual tests - which all came up 'negative.' If I place a bucket in the ocean, and when I pull it out it contains no fish - am I to ascertain that there are 'no fish in the ocean?' Additionally, I cleaned the family toaster last Christmas, after being gluten-free for 7 months, didn't think anything of it, and promptly projectile vomited - without 'consuming' anything! "They" need to be studying ALL people who react to gluten - not just the ones identified as having the celiac disease genes! Maybe they would actually learn something to benefit the good of the group! Additionally, I had 5 colonoscopies with biopsy and 5 endoscopies with biopsy - which were all negative! It was the DNA test that identified the REAL problem! And, it was inexpensive, non-invasive, convenient and as far as I am concerned the REAL GOLD STANDARD for identifying both celiac disease as well as gluten sensitive genes.

If it took me 7 months to clean my toaster, I may projectile vomit, as well. I'm not dismissing anyone's sensitivities, just be careful how you come off.

Gluten intolerance is much more likely to be an effected symptom of some deeper underlying dietary concern. The most likely candidates I would hypothesize are the ones that cause inflammation. They also happen to be extremely pervasive in the American diet. These are refined sugars, processed cooking oils, trans fats, dairy products, feedlot meat (red meat in general), alcohol, and processed grains (probably your main source of gluten anyways). Inflammation causes the white blood cells in your body to attack things they are not supposed to - gluten being one of those things.

The problem I see here is that we have a lot of people putting the cart before the horse on this one. People have been digesting vital wheat gluten (seitan) for over 2,000 years and its not until recently that all of a sudden people are getting sick. All of these other culprit foods are more likely to be the cause of most peoples discomfort and pain and yet the research seems to fall short on this. Reduce the gluten - especially you're highly refined and processed grains - but also check your food for sugars and processed oils. Go vegetarian, or at least 80%. Critically look at your WHOLE diet and not just one small part of it.

I myself am vegan and I read every label and cook most of my own food. I haven't had the common cold or a flu since I left meat behind and started being aware of what I ate. Its not easy but I promise that the effort you spend now is equal to the effort you spend later at the doctor.