OPTIMIZE YOUR HEALTH
Living With Celiac Disease

OCTOBER 2007

October is Celiac awareness month! Celiac disease is much more than just a gastrointestinal problem. Iron deficiency, chronic fatigue, osteoporosis, depression can all be manifestations of Celiac disease. This month’s newsletter provides you and your family with useful information about Celiac disease – Who should be tested? What are the signs and symptoms? What are the associated autoimmune conditions? We will even discuss the nutritional deficiencies (particularly folate deficiency) that are associated with mood disorders.

MEDICAL NEWS
What Does Celiac Disease Have to Do With Me? The Importance of Identifying Subclinical Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is more common than many people realize. Even individuals without gastrointestinal complaints can be affected by celiac disease. Establishing the diagnosis of subclinical celiac disease is of potential importance for four reasons: the danger of malignancy, the presence of unsuspected nutritional deficiencies, the association with low-birth weight infants in affected mothers, and the occurrence of autoimmune disorders.

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BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEWS
The Importance of Folate for Your Mood

Celiac disease may have as its manifestation neuropsychiatric symptoms such as ataxia, depression, anxiety, headache or epilepsy. The frequency of this association appears to be underappreciated. Folate deficiency is often a nutritional consequence of Celiac disease, but even in those without Celiac disease, folate deficiency in the brain can contribute to mood disorders. In this issue of Behavioral Health News, we are going to explore the importance of folate for your mood.

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NUTRITIONAL NEWS
Eating Gluten Free

Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disorder that is more common than previously thought. It is characterized by an inability to digest the protein found in wheat, rye and barley. The treatment for celiac disease is life-long adherence to a gluten-free diet. With some planning, the diet can be tasty and nutritious.

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SUPPLEMENT CABINET
Acidophilus: The Friendly Bacteria for Gastrointestinal Health

Lactobacilli are symbiotic and make up some of the 400 normal flora in the human gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Lactobacilli are used therapeutically as probiotics, the opposite of antibiotics. They are considered "friendly" bacteria and are taken for the purpose of re-colonizing areas of the body where they normally would occur. The human body relies on the normal flora for several functions including metabolizing foods and certain drugs, absorbing nutrients, and preventing colonization by pathogenic bacteria. Lactobacilli seem to provide nutritional benefits including inducing growth factors and increasing the bioavailability of minerals. Lactobacilli also stabilize the mucosal barrier and decrease intestinal permeability. Read more...