Victoria Newbury Kin 110 Human Performance and Nutrition Barry Braun Due November 17th 2013 Title Are gluten free diets beneficial to people who do not have celiac disease Introduction include thesis Gluten free diets are a viable option for people who do not have celiac disease because of the health issues associated with gluten consumption the increasing availability and convenience of gluten free food products and the high number of undiagnosed people who have celiac disease Discussion Results Celiac disease what it is prevalence requirements of a gluten free diet Celiac disease CD is a genetic autoimmune disorder that causes an adverse reaction in the body after the consumption of gluten The immune system attacks itself and can cause longterm damage to the lining of the small intestine if not treated within a certain amount of time Green et al 2001 A healthy intestinal lining is necessary for the body to absorb the nutrients it needs which is why many people with CD have delayed growth nutrient deficiencies and other physical health problems Wierdsma van Bokhorst de van der Schueren Berkenpas Mulder van Bodegraven 2013 The prevalence of CD in the United States in average healthy people is 75 The prevalence increases in people who have related symptoms and in people with first degree and second degree relatives who are celiac to 1 8 4 5 and 2 6 respectively AfricanAmericans Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans have a lower chance of CD with 42 Fasano et al 2003 This amounts to nearly 3 million Americans being affected by CD Green et al 2001 However it is estimated that CD is more prevalent than thought as there are many people who are undiagnosed This is due to people being asymptomatic refusal of physicians to perform procedures refusal of insurance companies to pay for procedures and the length of time it takes to be diagnosed with the average being four years Green 2001 Fasano 2003 In order to improve the diagnostic rate in North America it is recommended that an active case finding strategy be implemented during primary care visits Catassi et al 2007 This strategy would allow physicians to detect CD in people who don t present common symptoms such as diarrhea Rampertab Pooran Brar Singh Green 2006 A gluten free diet excludes all foods containing wheat including einkorn emmer spelt and kamut rye barley and any combination of these such as triticale which is a cross between wheat and rye The FDA made it easier to detect wheat and other common allergens in foods by passing the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act in 2006 This required food labels to list all wheat and common allergens in the ingredients It is very important for people with CD to pay attention to what they eat so that they make sure they are receiving the proper nutrients that their body needs It is becoming easier to find gluten free foods as they becoming more available at mainstream stores National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse 2008 However gluten free diets still presents many challenges such as when socializing dining in restaurants and travelling and is considered a fad diet by some Pietzak 2012 Is gluten the cause of health problems How is health defined Early diagnosis of CD is especially important as undiagnosed cases can lead to physical health problems Because it is often genetic it is especially important to actively test in people with relatives who have the disease Catassi 2007 It takes an average of four years for someone to be diagnosed which is often because people are asymptomatic or show varied symptoms Fasano 2003 National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse 2008 Pietzak 2012 Some common symptoms in older patients are irritable bowel syndrome lactose malabsorption inflammatory bowel disease chronic diarrhea vomiting weight loss irregular stool constipation and abdominal bloating and pain National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse 2008 Pietzak 2012 There are many more less likely symptoms that occur in adults and children This variety often makes it difficult for physicians to diagnose the disease National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse 2008 This can be detrimental for patients as consuming gluten can lead to greater risk of developing autoimmune disorders neurological problems osteoporosis anemia and possibly cancer Green 2001 Pietzak 2012 There have also been studies indicating that gluten consumption may be related to autism and cardiovascular disease Buie 2013 Norsa 2013 This broad range of physical health problems associated with gluten consumption makes it questionable whether it is wise for anyone to consume gluten Potential benefits of gluten free diet on health Gluten free diets can have many physical health benefits for both celiac and non celiac patients Many people who are newly diagnosed with CD have vitamin and mineral deficiencies which are often resolved once starting a gluten free diet and keeping careful track of what the body consumes In a study that researched the level of health of newly diagnosed celiac patients it was found that 17 were malnourished 22 of the women were underweight and 29 of the patients were overweight This was reversed after nutritional advices and CD treatment Wierdsma 2013 Potential problems of gluten free diet on health Should people without CD have a gluten free diet People without CD should have a gluten free diet because of the high percentage cases that go undiagnosed and the health risks associated with the consumption of gluten CD facts and figures Conclusion Resources Buie T 2013 The relationship of autism and gluten Clinical Therapeutics 35 5 578 583 Catassi C Kryszak D Louis Jacques O Duerksen D R Hill I Crowe S E Fasano A 2007 Detection of celiac disease in primary care a multicenter case finding study in North America American Journal of Gastroenterology 102 7 1454 1460 Fasano A Berti I Gerarduzzi T Not T Colletti R B Drago S Horvath K 2003 Prevalence of celiac disease in at risk and not at risk groups in the United States a large multicenter study Archives of Internal Medicine 163 3 286 292 Green P H R Stavropoulos S N Panagi S G Goldstein S L Mcmahon D J Absan H Neugut A I 2001 Characteristics of adult celiac disease in the USA results of a national survey American Journal of Gastroenterology 96 1 126 131 National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse 2008 Celiac disease Data File Retrieved from http digestive niddk nih gov ddiseases pubs celiac examples Norsa L