Does it seem that at every turn someone new is following the gluten-free diet? It is true that many people are following the gluten-free diet as a fad. But for those with celiac disease (CD) or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), the gluten-free diet is a medical requirement.
A Brief History of Celiac Disease and NCGS
Celiac disease was first described by a Greek physician in 150 A.D. The connection between celiac disease and dietary management was not made until 1888 when Samuel Gee, a British physician, stated “If the patient can be cured at all, it must be by means of diet.” Dietitians most certainly appreciate Gee’s acknowledgement of medical nutrition therapy as the sole treatment for celiac disease. More recently the role of medical nutrition therapy in NCGS is becoming more mainstream. The spectrum of diseases treated by a gluten-free diet and lifestyle continues to become clearer.
Common Symptoms
Celiac disease and NCGS have many symptoms in common. There are more than two hundred symptoms which often cause a delay in diagnosis for those with CD. Delay in diagnosis puts those with CD at risk for other autoimmune disorders. Some of the include: abdominal cramping, anemia, infertility, joint pain, unexplained nutrient deficiencies, diarrhea, constipation and inability to concentrate.
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