Link Between Celiac Disease And Medication

Rates of celiac disease are escalating in most parts of the world. The only treatment is a life long gluten free diet. If a celiac continues to eat gluten, their risk of several serious diseases, including cancer escalates. Research has shown a commonly used drug raises the chances you’ll develop celiac disease.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used by a significant number of the population. They block the ability of your stomach to make acid. Common examples include Nexium, Losec, Prevacid, Somac, Zoton, and Pariet. Research has shown that taking these drugs can raise your chances of developing celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition whereby ingestion of gluten triggers inflammation and destruction of the small intestine. A strict gluten-free diet is the only cure. The incidence of celiac disease has been steadily climbing over the past decades; rates have increased by up to four times in the past 50 years. Why is this? One possible explanation is a paper titled “Use of proton pump inhibitors and subsequent risk of celiac disease” was published in the journal Digestive and Liver Disease. The researchers examined digital biopsy reports from 28 pathology departments in Sweden and used the Swedish National Prescribed Drug Registry to check if celiac disease patients and healthy control patients were prescribed any proton pump inhibitors or histamine 2 receptor antagonists (a different type of stomach acid blocking drug).

The results were quite significant: 16 percent of patients with celiac disease had a prior PPI prescription, while only 4 percent of controls did. The association remained strong for both genders and all ages; however, it was stronger for men and for patients younger than 20 years.

Why do stomach acid drugs raise the risk of celiac disease?

1. PPIs increase the permeability of the stomach, and can allow the absorption of gluten straight into the bloodstream, triggering an immune response.
2. By reducing the quantity of acid in the stomach, all proteins cannot be digested properly, which increases the risk of an immune response in the small intestine.
3. It is possible that people who need proton pump inhibitors have digestive problems that already predispose them to developing celiac disease.

Thankfully most of the time drug free options exist for heartburn and reflux. Please don’t discontinue any medication unless you’ve discussed this with your doctor.

• If you are overweight, it is vital to lose weight, and the easiest way to do this is with a diet low in sugar and grains, and high in vegetables, protein and natural fats, such as in the book I Can’t Lose Weight and I Don’t Know Why.
• Try not to eat overly large meals, especially in the evening, as this will increase pressure inside the stomach.
• Minimise drinking fluids with your meals.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothes around the middle and do not bend over after meals.
• If you are constipated, reflux and bloating will be worse. If a healthy diet isn’t enough to help you go to the toilet
• Avoid excessive coffee and alcohol. Some people find that spicy food such as chili or curry will aggravate symptoms, so trial and error is required.
• A lot of people with heartburn or reflux have imbalanced gut bugs and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. A low FODMAP diet may be immensely helpful, and BactoClear capsules can help reduce bad gut bugs because they contain antimicrobial essential oils.
• If you are taking long-term antacid drugs such as PPIs, it is wise to sip organic apple cider vinegar during your meals to increase acid for the digestive processes. Dilute 1 to 2 tablespoons of the apple cider vinegar in ¼ mug of warm water and sip slowly during your meals.
• Food intolerance is very common in people with digestive problems. Common aggravating foods are gluten, dairy products, wheat and soy. People with food sensitivities almost always don’t produce sufficient digestive enzymes. Taking enzymes in capsule form with meals can be immensely helpful.
• Glutamine is an amino acid that can reduce irritation in the esophagus and stomach and good results can be achieved by taking one teaspoon of glutamine powder twice daily. You can find glutamine in Ultimate Gut Health powder.

Reference

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.