Natural Treatment Plan for Celiac Disease Symptoms

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, around 1 in 100 people worldwide have celiac disease and in the U.S. alone, 2.5 million people are currently undiagnosed and at risk for long-term health complications. (1)

Celiac disease was first described over 8,000 years ago by a Greek physician who had no idea that this disorder was a type of autoimmune reaction to gluten. (2) This information didn’t become clear for thousands of years later, when researchers realized that celiac patients were triggered by eating gluten, a protein found in numerous foods eaten all over the world (especially bread!).

Even in the past 50 years, we’ve come to understand much more about how celiac disease symptoms and gluten intolerance symptoms manifest, along with the dangers of untreated food allergies, such as malnutrition, stunted growth, neurological and psychiatric illness, and much more.

Most Common Celiac Disease Symptoms

Celiac disease — often triggered by an allergy to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley or rye grains — is believed to affect about a little less than 1 percent of all adults (most statistics indicate a diagnoses rate between 0.7 percent and 1 percent of the U.S. population). For people who have been diagnosed with celiac disease, following a gluten-free or gluten sensitivity diet is considered “medical nutrition therapy” and is the only definitive way to improve symptoms and prevent future health problems.

The presence of celiac disease and gluten intolerance has been rising significantly over the past several decades, although the debate is still out as to why this is. According to certain reports, celiac disease rates have risen by nearly 400 percent since the 1960s.

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While celiac disease rates are still very low compared to other common chronic health problems — like cancer, diabetes, obesity or heart disease, for example — what’s alarming is that many experts in the field of food allergies and gluten intolerance believe the many more people might actually have celiac disease but not even realize it. For instance, researchers from the University of Chicago estimate that only about 15 percent to 17 percent of celiac cases are actually known in the U.S., making roughly 85 percent of people with celiac disease unaware of the problem. (3)

Many celiac disease symptoms boil down to dysfunction within the digestive track, including within the gut and intestines. Celiac disease is a type of autoimmune disease in which an inflammatory response to gluten damages tissue within the small intestine. The small intestine is the tube-shaped organ between the stomach and large intestine, where a high percentage of nutrient absorption takes place — however, in people with celiac disease this process stops working right.

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, this disease can be difficult to diagnose because it affects people on all different levels in various ways. In fact, in people with gluten allergies it’s believed that there are hundreds of symptoms of celiac disease within the body that are related to the effects of the disease on the immune and digestive systems. (4)

Celiac disease symptoms typically include (5):

• bloating


• cramping and abdominal pain


• diarrhea or constipation


• trouble concentrating or “brain fog“


• changes in weight


• sleep disturbances including insomnia


• chronic fatigue or lethargy


• nutrient deficiencies (malnutrition) due to absorption problems within the digestive tract


• chronic headaches


• joint or bone pains


• changes in mood, such an anxiety


• tingling numbness in the hands and feet


• seizures


• irregular periods, infertility or recurrent miscarriage


• canker sores inside the mouth


• thinning hair and dull skin

Experts sometimes refer to gluten as a “silent killer” because it can be the source of lasting damage throughout the whole body, without someone even knowing it. The microbiome is considered “ground zero” for where celiac disease symptoms first start and spread throughout various tissue. Celiac disease symptoms can range in terms of intensity and depend on the person’s unique response, so not every person will experience the same reactions or signs.

For some people, practically no symptoms might be present. For others, their symptoms might start out as ongoing headaches, unexplained weight changes or feeling more anxious than usual. This can then continue to progress and turn into insomnia, feeling “wired but tired,” having joint pain, and even causing symptoms of depression and eventually cognitive decline or dementia in older people.

It can be hard to recognize celiac disease because symptoms are usually very similar to those caused by other digestive diseases and autoimmune conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), iron-deficiency anemia, food allergies like lactose intolerance, sensitivity to FODMAPs, or digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel disease and diverticulitis. (6)

Less Common Symptoms

While the list above represents more common symptoms of celiac disease, there have also been findings that suggest that damage done by this disease goes far beyond the gastrointestinal tract and that it manifests in ways different than what we previously thought. Research related to food allergies, including gluten intolerance, over the past few decades has revealed that gluten can have effects on almost every system in the body. (7) And whether or not someone displays any classic symptoms, all people with celiac disease are still at risk for long-term complications.

While not everyone with celiac disease will experience such drastic symptoms or problems, it’s possible that the underlying inflammatory reactions to gluten will cause health problems within the gut microbiome, brain, endocrine system, stomach, liver, blood vessels, smooth muscle and even the nuclei of cells. Celiac patients are at a higher risk for various diseases, including anemia, Type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), dermatitis herpetiformis, osteoporosis, infertility, neurological conditions, intestinal cancers, and growth issues in children. These risks are due to the inflammatory responses triggered by gluten in the body, which can lead to chronic inflammation and immune system dysfunction. Gluten, as an antinutrient, can damage the gut lining, inhibit nutrient absorption, and lead to leaky gut syndrome, causing further health complications. Additionally, untreated celiac disease can affect not only the digestive system but also the central nervous system, leading to symptoms such as brain fog, depression, and fatigue. It is important to differentiate between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, as the latter can also have negative effects on health without necessarily having celiac disease. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a condition where individuals who are not clinically allergic to gluten experience widespread problems when consuming foods containing gluten. This condition is becoming more recognized as people are identifying themselves as sensitive or intolerant to gluten, even if they do not have celiac disease.

One reason for the increase in gluten sensitivity could be overexposure to gluten, as it is found in many processed foods and household products. The rise in awareness of gluten's effects has also contributed to more people choosing to avoid it. The availability of gluten-free products has also made it easier for individuals to follow a gluten-free diet.

For those with celiac disease, following a strict gluten-free diet is crucial to managing symptoms and allowing the immune system to repair itself. Supplementing with nutrients that may be deficient due to malabsorption is also important. Avoiding non-food items that contain gluten, seeking professional help to establish a healthy gluten-free diet, and considering additional tests to check for related issues such as bone density or joint inflammation are also important steps in managing celiac disease. Consider undergoing various leaky gut syndrome tests to determine the severity of your condition. It is important to consult a doctor for screening tests and a confirmed diagnosis if you suspect you have celiac disease. When in doubt about gluten-containing products, it is best to avoid them or seek additional information from the company. Children with celiac disease may show symptoms early on, so it is crucial to have them tested if there is a family history. Remember, there is no cure for celiac disease, but following a strict gluten-free diet and seeking professional guidance can help manage symptoms and promote healing. following sentence in a more concise manner:

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