My son began experiencing severe stomach pains during his preteen years, little did I know that it would be the start of a journey that would forever change our lives.
What began as seemingly innocuous discomfort soon escalated into a relentless cycle of doctor’s visits, emergency room stays, and ultimately, a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis—a daunting reality for any parent to face.
After traditional Western medicine began to fail him, watching my son struggle with excruciating pain and debilitating symptoms was heart-wrenching. I felt a deep sense of responsibility to find answers and solutions for him. It was during this time of uncertainty and fear that I made a pivotal decision to explore alternative approaches to his health—a decision that would ultimately lead me down a path of profound discovery and transformation.
With my son’s wellbeing as my guiding forces, I immersed myself in the realm of holistic and naturopathic medicine. I sought out practitioners who could offer a fresh perspective on my son’s conditions, hoping to find relief where conventional treatments had fallen short.
Unraveling Gluten: What You Need to Know
In recent years, gluten has become a buzzword in health and nutrition circles, often accompanied by polarizing opinions and a multitude of products labeled as “gluten-free.” But what exactly is gluten, and why does it seem to be such a hot topic? Let’s delve into the science behind gluten, its effects on the human body, and how to navigate a gluten-conscious lifestyle.
Understanding Gluten:
Gluten is a composite of storage proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and triticale (a hybrid of wheat and rye). It acts as a glue, providing elasticity and structure to dough, which gives bread its chewy texture and pastries their fluffiness. Gluten comprises two main proteins: glutenin and gliadin, with gliadin being the component most commonly associated with adverse reactions in certain individuals.
How It Affects the Human Body:
Naturopathic doctors approach health and wellness from a holistic perspective, considering the interconnectedness of various bodily systems and the importance of addressing underlying imbalances to promote overall well-being. When it comes to gluten, naturopathic doctors may have varying perspectives and recommendations based on individual patient needs, health goals, and specific conditions.
Celiac Disease: This autoimmune disorder affects about 1% of the global population. When individuals with celiac disease consume gluten, their immune system mounts an attack on the lining of the small intestine, leading to inflammation, villous atrophy (damage to the small finger-like projections lining the intestine), and malabsorption of nutrients.
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS): Unlike celiac disease, NCGS does not involve an autoimmune response or intestinal damage. Nevertheless, individuals with NCGS experience symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue, and headaches after consuming gluten-containing foods. The exact mechanisms behind NCGS are still not fully understood.
Wheat Allergy: This condition, characterized by an allergic reaction to proteins found in wheat (including but not limited to gluten), can manifest as skin rashes, hives, difficulty breathing, and even anaphylaxis in severe cases.
Navigating Ulcerative Colitis: Understanding Gluten, Treatment Options, and Dietary Considerations
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the colon and rectum. Managing UC involves a multifaceted approach, including medication, lifestyle modifications, and dietary adjustments. For some individuals with UC, gluten may play a role in symptom management, while others may face additional challenges such as steroid use, surgical interventions like removal of the small intestine, or managing UC in children who cannot tolerate gluten.
Gluten and Ulcerative Colitis:
- Gluten Sensitivity and Intolerance: Naturopathic doctors recognize that gluten sensitivity and intolerance are legitimate conditions that can cause a range of symptoms, including digestive issues, joint pain, fatigue, and neurological symptoms. They may recommend testing for gluten sensitivity and encourage patients to eliminate gluten from their diet if they experience symptoms after consuming gluten-containing foods.
- Celiac Disease: Naturopathic doctors understand the seriousness of celiac disease, an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten consumption. They may support patients with celiac disease by recommending a strict gluten-free diet to prevent further damage to the intestines and alleviate symptoms.
- Inflammation and Autoimmune Conditions: Naturopathic doctors acknowledge the role of gluten in contributing to inflammation and autoimmune conditions. They may advise patients with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, to consider adopting a gluten-free diet as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms.
- Gut Health: Naturopathic doctors emphasize the importance of gut health in overall wellness. They may recommend a gluten-free diet for patients with gastrointestinal issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut syndrome, or inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, to support gut healing and restore balance in the microbiome.
- Individualized Approach: Naturopathic doctors recognize that each person is unique and may respond differently to gluten. They emphasize the importance of personalized care and may recommend dietary modifications, including gluten elimination, based on individual health assessments, symptoms, and laboratory testing results.
- Nutritional Support: Naturopathic doctors provide nutritional guidance and support to help patients transition to a gluten-free diet successfully. They may recommend nutrient-rich, whole foods to ensure patients receive adequate vitamins, minerals, and fiber while avoiding gluten-containing grains.
- Lifestyle Factors: Naturopathic doctors consider lifestyle factors, such as stress, sleep, exercise, and environmental influences, in their approach to managing health conditions. They may encourage patients to adopt a holistic lifestyle that supports overall wellness in conjunction with dietary changes, including gluten avoidance.
Steroids in Ulcerative Colitis Treatment:
Steroids, such as prednisone, are commonly used in the treatment of UC to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms during flare-ups. While steroids can be effective in providing short-term relief, they are not a long-term solution due to their potential for significant side effects, including weight gain, mood swings, increased risk of infection, osteoporosis, and adrenal suppression.
Physicians typically prescribe steroids for short-term use to induce remission during flare-ups, after which they may recommend transitioning to other medications with fewer side effects for maintenance therapy.
Surgical Intervention: Removing the Small Intestine:
In severe cases of UC that are unresponsive to medication or associated with complications such as toxic megacolon or colorectal cancer, surgical intervention may be necessary. One surgical option for UC is a total proctocolectomy with ilea pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), commonly referred to as “J-pouch” surgery.
During this procedure, the colon and rectum are removed, and a pouch is created from the end of the small intestine to serve as a reservoir for stool storage. While this surgery effectively eliminates UC, it may also impact dietary choices and nutrient absorption, particularly in the early postoperative period. Patients may need to work closely with a dietitian to optimize their diet and manage any dietary restrictions or challenges.
Children with Ulcerative Colitis Who Cannot Have Gluten:
Children with UC who cannot tolerate gluten face unique challenges in managing their condition and dietary needs. As with adults, gluten elimination may be considered if gluten sensitivity is suspected or if it exacerbates UC symptoms in pediatric patients.
Naturopathic doctors offer holistic and individualized advice when it comes to eliminating gluten from children’s diets. Here are some common recommendations they may provide:
- Assessment and Testing: Naturopathic doctors may recommend comprehensive testing to determine if a child has gluten sensitivity, intolerance, or celiac disease. This can include blood tests for antibodies related to gluten intolerance or celiac disease, as well as stool tests to assess gut health and inflammation.
- Symptom Monitoring: Naturopathic doctors pay close attention to children’s symptoms and health history to assess whether gluten elimination may be beneficial. Symptoms such as digestive issues, skin rashes, behavioral changes, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating may indicate gluten sensitivity or intolerance.
- Elimination Diet: If gluten sensitivity or intolerance is suspected, naturopathic doctors may recommend an elimination diet to remove gluten-containing foods from the child’s diet for a period of time. This allows for observation of symptom improvement and helps determine if gluten is a contributing factor to the child’s health issues.
- Whole Foods Approach: Naturopathic doctors emphasize the importance of nourishing children with whole, nutrient-dense foods, regardless of whether they are gluten-free or not. They may encourage parents to focus on incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and gluten-free grains into their child’s diet to support optimal growth and development.
- Gluten-Free Substitutes: Naturopathic doctors provide guidance on choosing gluten-free alternatives to common gluten-containing foods, such as bread, pasta, cereals, and snacks. They may recommend whole grains like quinoa, rice, millet, and buckwheat as gluten-free alternatives, as well as gluten-free baking ingredients like almond flour, coconut flour, and tapioca flour.
- Label Reading: Naturopathic doctors educate parents on how to read food labels to identify hidden sources of gluten in packaged foods. They may recommend avoiding processed foods with ambiguous ingredients and focusing on whole, unprocessed foods to minimize the risk of gluten contamination.
- Support and Education: Naturopathic doctors provide ongoing support and education to parents navigating a gluten-free diet for their children. They may offer resources, recipe ideas, meal planning tips, and strategies for dining out safely to ensure a positive and sustainable experience with gluten elimination.
- Collaboration with Healthcare Team: Naturopathic doctors collaborate with other members of the child’s healthcare team, including pediatricians, gastroenterologists, dietitians, and mental health professionals, to ensure comprehensive care and support for the child’s overall health and well-being.
Overall, naturopathic advice about eliminating gluten from children’s diets focuses on personalized assessment, symptom management, whole foods nutrition, gluten-free substitutes, label reading, ongoing support, and collaboration with healthcare professionals to promote optimal health and wellness.
Navigate a Gluten-Free Diet
Avoiding foods containing gluten can be challenging but manageable with careful planning and awareness. Here are some tips on how to navigate a gluten-free diet:
1. Educate Yourself:
Familiarize yourself with common sources of gluten, including wheat, barley, rye, and their derivatives. Be aware that gluten can hide in unexpected places, such as sauces, condiments, and processed foods.
2. Read Labels:
Always read food labels carefully to identify gluten-containing ingredients. Look for terms like wheat, barley, rye, malt, and their derivatives (e.g., wheat flour, barley malt extract). Additionally, watch out for hidden gluten in ingredients like modified food starch, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and caramel coloring.
3. Choose Naturally Gluten-Free Foods:
Opt for whole, unprocessed foods that are naturally free of gluten, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, dairy products, legumes, nuts, seeds, and gluten-free grains like quinoa, rice, corn, millet, and buckwheat.
4. Stock Up on Gluten-Free Alternatives:
Explore the wide variety of gluten-free alternatives available in grocery stores, including gluten-free bread, pasta, cereals, flour blends, and baking mixes. Many specialty stores and online retailers offer dedicated gluten-free products to suit various dietary preferences and needs.
5. Be Cautious When Dining Out:
When eating out, communicate your dietary restrictions clearly to restaurant staff and ask about gluten-free options. Be aware of potential cross-contamination in restaurant kitchens and inquire about their protocols for preventing gluten contamination in gluten-free dishes.
6. Cook at Home:
Preparing meals at home allows you to have full control over ingredients and cooking methods, minimizing the risk of gluten exposure. Experiment with gluten-free recipes and cooking techniques to create delicious and nutritious meals that suit your taste preferences.
7. Use Gluten-Free Substitutes:
Explore gluten-free alternatives for baking and cooking, such as almond flour, coconut flour, tapioca flour, and gluten-free oats. These substitutes can help recreate your favorite recipes without compromising flavor or texture.
8. Be Mindful of Cross-Contamination:
Take precautions to prevent cross-contamination in your kitchen by using separate cooking utensils, cutting boards, and kitchen appliances for gluten-free foods. Clean surfaces thoroughly before preparing gluten-free meals to avoid inadvertent exposure to gluten.
9. Stay Informed:
Stay updated on gluten-free labeling regulations and product certifications to ensure the products you choose are safe and reliable. Joining online communities or support groups for individuals following a gluten-free diet can also provide valuable tips, resources, and encouragement.
10. Consult a Healthcare Professional:
If you suspect gluten intolerance or have been diagnosed with a gluten-related disorder, consult a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian or gastroenterologist, for personalized guidance and support. They can help you develop a tailored eating plan and address any nutritional concerns associated with gluten avoidance.
The start of our holistic journey began here
