Holistic Doctors

[Nic]

My son has Celiac and a friend at work was telling me that her grandson was "gluten sensitive" and diagnosed by a holistic doctor who basically diagnosed by eliminating gluten from diet. I don't believe the child was ever tested for Celiac. Now, a year later, the child is being reintroduced to gluten but is being given a tablet that supposedly counteracts with the gluten sensitivity. Is this really possible? I know it would not be for Celiacs but doesn't this sound dangerous since it hasn't been ruled out?

[shayesmom]

My son has Celiac and a friend at work was telling me that her grandson was "gluten sensitive" and diagnosed by a holistic doctor who basically diagnosed by eliminating gluten from diet. I don't believe the child was ever tested for Celiac. Now, a year later, the child is being reintroduced to gluten but is being given a tablet that supposedly counteracts with the gluten sensitivity. Is this really possible? I know it would not be for Celiacs but doesn't this sound dangerous since it hasn't been ruled out?

I've heard mention of some sort of "tablet" being given by holistic doctors or others in alternative fields. I do take my dd to a homeopath (who is also an M.D. and has a strong background in nutrition) and NEVER has he mentioned taking a supplement to counteract the sensitivity. He has suggested acupressure treatments to deal with the other food allergies, probiotics to keep the gut healthy and DMSA to counter her high heavy metal tests.....but he also told me point blank that gluten had to be avoided and at best, the acupressure treatments MAY be able to help as far as reactions to occasional, accidental trace exposures. So far, he has been correct.

I am not aware of anything that could counter the gluten sensitivity unless the holistic doctor you have heard of has an inside track on a new drug scheduled for release for Celiac's this year. The drug suppresses the production of zonulin and is to be taken 20 minutes before eating a meal with gluten. Supposedly, it will block gluten from penetrating the gut wall and in turn prevent the autoimmune response. This drug was supposed to be released in 2006. I have not heard of it already being released, so it is doubtful that is what was prescribed.

I am really into natural forms of healing but have yet to hear of something that could actually prevent a reaction to gluten. I have however, heard stories of bogus supplements being given that have offered temporary relief....but being detrimental in the long run. I'd be interested to know what is in that tablet for my own research. Not to try, but to figure out how it masks the symptoms of a gluten intolerance. I am sure that you'll hear from someone on here who has been "treated" with this tablet, but I believe that I had read it was all bogus. Not 100% sure on that, but that's just what I recall. HTH

[Nic]

Thanks for responding. This is very interesting. I know you are not a doctor but I haven't heard of this drug that is to be released this year. From what you do know, will it allow Celiac's to add gluten back into the diet or is it just as a precaution for the accidental ingestion? I think it is harder on me than on my 5 year old son when he can't eat what everyone else is eating.

Nicole

[shayesmom]

Thanks for responding. This is very interesting. I know you are not a doctor but I haven't heard of this drug that is to be released this year. From what you do know, will it allow Celiac's to add gluten back into the diet or is it just as a precaution for the accidental ingestion? I think it is harder on me than on my 5 year old son when he can't eat what everyone else is eating.

Nicole

Unfortunatley, I do not know what the name of this pill is going to be. However, here is the article I read that indicated it's imminent release. Open Original Shared Link

The pill is meant to allow Celiac's to add gluten back into their diets. They just take a pill 20 minutes before they eat and the autoimmune response is prevented. To be quite honest though....there is NO WAY that I will put my dd on a pill for this. The research is relatively new and who knows what the side effects will be.

I hear you on this being harder on you than on your son. I feel the same way and my dd is only turning 3! If I tell her a certain food has gluten in it and may make her tummy hurt, she immediately loses interest and moves on. I nearly cried one day at a restaurant when we'd warned her off the pasta and she ended up assisting another child in eating theirs. Such a selfless act, with no further objections...just acceptance. She got extra hugs and kisses before bed that night.

It is shocking how kids will adjust to this more quickly than we do. But I will say that I did start doing the diet myself and have noticed such positive results that I now am gluten/casein/soy-free also. So now, when dd and I out and not having what everyone else is eating, I tell her "Gluten free for you AND me!". She laughs at that. It also helps to make her aware that others have limitations too that are different from hers. So she sees that she can have some things that others can't....sort of evens out at times.

[Nic]

Hi, I actually researched the drug on my own while I was waiting for your response. If it is the same drug, it is being made by Alba Therapeutics in Baltimore. The article I read said that the FDA is putting it on an "accelerated track" due to the fact that it is the first drug being made to treat not only Celiac but also type 1 diabetes. The drug is called AT-1001 I believe. As you said, they are claiming that it blocks the gut from zonulin and therefore, blocks the autoimmune reaction. I also could not imagine just reintorducing gluten into my son's diet. What if years down the line they determine that the drug was not as effective as they thought? On the companies web site, they say that Celiac's are 40-100 fold more likely to develop cancer if they go untreated. My son is well adjusted to his diet too. Luckily, the gluten-free food companies work hard to make a lot of comparable foods. Being so young, they will remember what "real" pasta or bread tastes like. Their food is all they will ever know. My father was diagnosed at 50. Well, thanks for the info.

Nicole