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Other Causes For Flattened/blunting Of Villi?

Lisa

By Lisa
in Food Intolerance & Leaky Gut

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Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

I have thought of this often. With a possitive dx with endoscope, I am curious about other possible causes of flatten/blunting of villi. There MUST be other causes other than a gluten intollerance. I have tried to do some research, but found nothing.

I have had a very acid stomach for as long as I can remember. During stress periods, it does get worse. Is it possible that severe stomach acid entering into the small intestine could cause the blunting and flattening of the villi. Perhaps it's not Celiac? :huh:

This makes sense to me. Excess acid burning it's way throught my system.

I have been without my Aciphex for several days and I'd dying here, can't breath, can't eat and look like I'm about to give birth. :huh:

Any thoughts here.

Lisa

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Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
  • Author

mm

Shalia Apprentice
Shalia
Posted
I have thought of this often. With a possitive dx with endoscope, I am curious about other possible causes of flatten/blunting of villi. There MUST be other causes other than a gluten intollerance. I have tried to do some research, but found nothing.

I have had a very acid stomach for as long as I can remember. During stress periods, it does get worse. Is it possible that severe stomach acid entering into the small intestine could cause the blunting and flattening of the villi. Perhaps it's not Celiac? :huh:

This makes sense to me. Excess acid burning it's way throught my system.

I have been without my Aciphex for several days and I'd dying here, can't breath, can't eat and look like I'm about to give birth. :huh:

Any thoughts here.

Lisa

Someone around here, I think it's Andrea, has an article about how soy intolerance can blunt villi like Celiac can.

Other than that, I know nothing.

evie Rookie
evie
Posted
Someone around here, I think it's Andrea, has an article about how soy intolerance can blunt villi like Celiac can.

Other than that, I know nothing.

I believe milk products can also do that. I have been finding that the hard way so am staying away for awhile. Luck to you!! evie

Green12 Enthusiast
Green12
Posted
I believe milk products can also do that. I have been finding that the hard way so am staying away for awhile. Luck to you!! evie

Hi evie :)

I was going to post the same thing, that somewhere at sometime on the board, I thought, there was a post about dairy/casein's ability to permanently damge the intestinal lining. Not sure about details though?

Am interested to hear others thoughts/info.

Guest Robbin
Guest Robbin
Posted
:) Hi! So sorry you are suffering. I agree with evie, there was some thread some time ago with the links to studies regarding casein intolerance causing blunting as well. I get the same symptoms from all three-gluten, soy, & dairy.
LKelly8 Rookie
LKelly8
Posted

Here's the Open Original Shared Link on malabsorbtion syndromes.

Notice this is the old edition - under celiac it lists prelavence in the US to be 1 in 5000! (The updated version should be online Oct 14.)

I have a Merck Manual from the 1950s, it's so bad it's funny.

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Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
  • Author
Here's the Open Original Shared Link on malabsorbtion syndromes.

Kelly, thanks, going to bumpt it up. so I can read it n the am.

Simply-V Newbie
Simply-V
Posted

I did a google search for "intestinal villi damage cause" and found several sites talking about paracites, viral infections, and bacterial infections.

However, the most interesting was this

Open Original Shared Link

Which states "Gluten triggers an abnormal immune response and causes the villi of the small intestine to become flattened and altered."

Along that lines, it is possible that anything someone is allergic to.. can cause an abnormal immune response which would cause intestinal damage. Which honestly helps explain a theory I've had about corn for a while now. Anyway.. hope that helps.

Carriefaith Enthusiast
Carriefaith
Posted

According to the book, "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" by Elaine Gottschall, "The flattened or blunted intestinal surface has been reported in innumerable disease states: infectious heptitis, ulcerative colitis, parasitic infections of the intestine including various types of worms and one-celled parasites, kwashiorkor, soy protein intolerance, intolerance to cow's milk protein, intractable diarrhea of infancy, Chron's disease, and bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine".

lindalee Enthusiast
lindalee
Posted

Lisa, have you tried eating more alkaline foods? Yogurt? These types fight the beasts. They adore sugar.

:)

Green12 Enthusiast
Green12
Posted
According to the book, "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" by Elaine Gottschall, "The flattened ot blunted intestinal surface has been reported in innumerable disease states: infectious heptitis, ulcerative colitis, parasitic infections of the intestine including various types of worms and one-celled parasites, kwashiorkor, soy protein intolerance, intolerance to cow's milk protein, intractable diarrhea of infancy, Chron's disease, and bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine".

Thanks for posting this CarrieFaith, very informative quote.

chrissy Collaborator
chrissy
Posted

if all this is true----then doesn't this mean that an intestinal biopsy isn't really the "gold standard" for diagnosing celiac?

nikki-uk Enthusiast
nikki-uk
Posted
if all this is true----then doesn't this mean that an intestinal biopsy isn't really the "gold standard" for diagnosing celiac?

Good point!!

I knew that casein intolerance could blunt the villi,but I thought only in very young children.

Very interesting!!

Carriefaith Enthusiast
Carriefaith
Posted

I think that an intestinal biopsy should be complemented by a celiac disease blood test or tests. There are also other tests that could be done such as the celiac disease gene test and the fecal fat test.

My above quote is on page 41 of the book.

lindalee Enthusiast
lindalee
Posted
I think that an intestinal biopsy should be complemented by a celiac disease blood test or tests. There are also other tests that could be done such as the celiac disease gene test and the fecal fat test.

My above quote is on page 41 of the book.

I am trying to figure out if I need these or other tests. Was diagnosed celiac as baby and just 6 months ago realized I did not outgrow celiac. I am much better on the diet. Do you experts think I still need these tests or what would you reccomend?

Once I find a good? doctor - thought I'd get a physical and cbc.

My energy levels have been improving. Thanks :)

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

Linda,

Just so you know, I would NOT recommend Dr. Dandalides in Chesapeake/Norfolk, if you are looking for a GI. I have had my share of horrible doctors, and he takes the cake.

(I started seeing Dr. Jacqueline Salcedo in Virginia Beach, right before I left. I didn't see her long enough to work through my problems before I moved, but I was impressed that she seemed willing to try to help. She would even call me personally, because she knew I was in such distress.)

Laura

lindalee Enthusiast
lindalee
Posted

Thanks Laura- is she a gp or specialist? I would like someone who keeps up with things.

I've been to some experts in the past that recommended hormones and other meds that stress or damage the system and made me feel terrible for not agreeing to take these.

Some know about the vitamins and naturals and others don't. B)

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

She is a GI. By no means is she a Celiac specialist....but seemed willing to work with me. Just thought I'd throw it out there :)

lindalee Enthusiast
lindalee
Posted
She is a GI. By no means is she a Celiac specialist....but seemed willing to work with me. Just thought I'd throw it out there :)

Thanks, That celiac specialist ( can't remember her name) is going to be at the Nov. meeting - It is a big deal getting her. Come on down if you can. B)

My thinking is to go to a good? doctor and get checked. If levels are low - like minerals, vitamins, etc. they would KNOW what the proper (UPDATED) levels should be and let me know.

For instance, I have friends that are on cholesterol meds and some of their doctors have them take COQ10 because those drugs deplete that. That is the kind I want-they keep up. :)

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

Hey Linda,

Yeah, I think its Dr. Raymond. She is supposed to be good and is hard to get into. Unfortunately, Celiac is the least of my concerns at this point.

Hopefully you'll find her-or someone else!!!

Laura

lindalee Enthusiast
lindalee
Posted

Laura, I'll keep you in my prayers. Hope everything works out for your good. :wub:

  • 5 years later...
hosette Newbie
hosette
Posted

Villous atrophy is caused by deseases such as Cliac or Crohn's, a severe cow's milk intolerance, bacteria, or severe protein deficiency. Kwashiokor (protein malnutrition) is rarely mentioned on forums that ask about other causes of villi damage probably because it is not common in developed countries like US and Canada. However people who follow a poor diet, or those who are on crash diets for extended periods of time to loose weight, can develop this illness and have blunted villi commonly associated with Celiac.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
  • Author

However people who follow a poor diet, or those who are on crash diets for extended periods of time to loose weight, can develop this illness and have blunted villi commonly associated with Celiac.

This tread is very old. After almost seven years, I have resolved my issues. But, not my question..

I totally agree, as does my doctor. But, here is the million dollar question...does malnutrition cause Celiac Disease, or with a proper diet, could one eat gluten again successfully after recovery from the malnutrition?

burdee Enthusiast
burdee
Posted

I have thought of this often. With a possitive dx with endoscope, I am curious about other possible causes of flatten/blunting of villi. There MUST be other causes other than a gluten intollerance. I have tried to do some research, but found nothing.

I have had a very acid stomach for as long as I can remember. During stress periods, it does get worse. Is it possible that severe stomach acid entering into the small intestine could cause the blunting and flattening of the villi. Perhaps it's not Celiac? :huh:

This makes sense to me. Excess acid burning it's way throught my system.

I have been without my Aciphex for several days and I'd dying here, can't breath, can't eat and look like I'm about to give birth. :huh:

Any thoughts here.

Lisa

Excess stomach acid is rare. Most people have too little stomach acid. Reflux is caused by the lower esophageal sphincter relaxing (opening) at inappropriate times (not by excess stomach acid). Foods and beverages that cause the LES to relax include: caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, peppermint, onions and sugar. Also OTC drugs like NSAIDs and other drugs can cause the LES to relax. Also overeating, tight waistbands and going to bed too soon after a meal can cause reflux. Unfortunately docs are too quick to write scrips for acid blocking drugs, rather than talking to patients about the cause of and cures for reflux. Unfortunately, once someone starts taking acid blocking drugs, they must stay on those drugs, because reflux gets worse after someone quits taking the drugs.

By the way, by the time the stomach contents (chyme) reach the lower reaches of the stomach, the pH begins to rise (toward alkaline) so that absorption and digestion can occur in the small intestine, which is alkaline. Blocking or neutralizing stomach acid interrupts the normal digestive process at a crucial point. Many vitamins, minerals, proteins and amino acids are absorbed within a narrow pH range. So disrupting the gastric digestive environment by reducing acidity (raising pH) adversely affects the processing and absorption of many nutrient. So nutritioinal deficiencies commonly occur in people who take certain acid suppressing drugs.

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