What Happens To Your Body When You Do Eat Gluten

[SandyStPeteFL]

Let's just say you goofed and ate something with gluten in it. Aside from the fact that you have been doctor diagnosed with Celiac Disease and you KNOW the gastro problems, I am curious about the damage that is done to the villi? I know it begins to heal as soon as you stop eating gluten, but how long does it take to completely heal and if you should get glutenized, what does that do to the healing process??? Wipe it out completely????

[RiceGuy]

As I understand it, the longer you ingest gluten, the worse the damage can get. So I don't think one accidental glutening would necessarily put you back to square one, though everyone is different. Healing time seems to vary from person to person. However, it's not just what happens to the villi, but the rest of the body. Between the malabsorption, toxins from leaky gut, etc, every glutening puts you at additional risk of developing other health problems, some of which can be permanent, even fatal. Hypothyroid, diabetes, and cancer are just a few examples of what can happen.

Here is a list of disorders and diseases which have been linked to Celiac Disease:

https://www.celiac.com/categories/Celiac-Di...-and-Disorders/

[SandyStPeteFL]

Thank you for the information. I was diagosed with Celiac Disease by two different doctors. One was a surgeon who was fixing to take my gall bladder out but wanted to do the upper GI/Endoscopy to verify and the other was my GP who did the blood work. (No gall bladder surgery) They in turn sent me to a nutrionist. After they successfully scared the beejesus out of me, I have stopped eating gluten but am almost to the point of being terrified if I do eat it. I was curious if anyone knew the ramifications of ingesting gluten after you have been off it. A lot of ailments I was having, have seemed to let up a lot. Especially the gastro issues.

My mother was diagnosed with IBS years ago and can not leave her home in the morning until around noon. Even then she has issues throughout the day. I was diagnosed with ulcers, ulceric stomach, IBS, Diverticulitus, all within the past few years. And most recently lactose intolerant.

But I was really curious that if I get glutened, what damage was I doing to the repairs I had made. Make sense????

Thanks for the response. I really appreciate it.

[ang1e0251]

Wow, your mom sounds like she's miserable. In light of your dx, is she going to be tested? Seems like her problems could be lightened by the gluten-free diet. How great would it be to help her heal?

[SandyStPeteFL]

Wow, your mom sounds like she's miserable. In light of your dx, is she going to be tested? Seems like her problems could be lightened by the gluten-free diet. How great would it be to help her heal?

I know, I have tried but she won't hear of it. She says she is too old to worry about that stuff. Sounds like a typical Mom, huh? She is in her eighties, but very fit and very healthy (except for her IBS issues). I keep telling her to try to go a week with no gluten but she still says no.

My daughter will be tested soon though. She has the same gastro issues as my mother and I do.

[JRyan]

Even after I started the gluten-free diet, I used to have to stay in the house until a certain point in the day also mostly because of extreme discomfort. It was frustrating because I did not think that I was making any progress...but of course, only time can help. My lower abdomen was always distended, even if it were empty. I never felt hunger because of this. Since, I have been leading a rather comfortable lifestyle. Two weeks ago I had my first accidental gluten ingestion, then proceeded to eat Chinese food because I knew I had already had gluten in my system. This I will never do again! The following days I was constipated, my abdomen looked like I was pregnant, and I did not feel hunger for about a week. I know my body is having great trouble breaking down the food still.

After I felt familiar with the diet and as I started feeling better, I guess I stopped being as careful about what I was putting in me. I sure have learned my lesson. I drink an antioxidant juice, Amla Rush that helps with digestion amongst many other things and I believe it saved me after this incident. I wonder if your mom could benefit from this...and a gluten-free lifestlye!

[SandyStPeteFL]

My biggest problem with my mother is her stubborness. As we speak she is home afraid to leave the house again. She has had another flare up. She takes Immodium one day and a softner the next. She insists she is not a Celiac. I keep telling her she could just be gluten sensitive. I also tell her to try to go about a week with no gluten. She won't hear of it. She has been diagnosed with IBS, Diverticulitis (sp), and all kinds of problems.

I went to a holiday party this weekend, did good. Checked with the hostess about what was in the dips etc. and if it didn't sound safe, I did not eat it.

I know what you mean about looking pregnant. There was a point a couple of years ago when I was Christmas shopping with my daughter and the clerk said, "OH, isn't that cute, mother and daughter both pregnant!!" Needless to say, she was embarrased, I was upset and my daughter thought it was funny. I felt like if I was going anywhere I did not want to eat first. But now......no distention in the stomach area and IT FEELS GOOD!!!!!

[ang1e0251]

I hear you about Mom's being stubborn. Is it their age or just their generation? She never wants to hear she could do something different to help her health. I don't have a way to get through to her. I just backed off on some things. I don't care to have an argument she won't listen to and at her age, I never know when I say good bye, it could be our last.