Gout and Celiac Disease; Is There A Connection?
There
has always been a considerably amount of speculation about whether or
not Celiac and Gout share a common thread. There are several well-known
symptoms and/or shared health problems of both of them. Among them are
indications of Autoimmune Disorders, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Bone and
Joint Pain, which lead to a reasonable assumption that Gout does fit
into the realm of Celiac Disease.
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac
Disease damages the small intestine and interrupts the absorption of
nutrients from food. People who have Celiac have an intolerance to
gluten; a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is usually
found in foods but many other common products like medicines, vitamins,
and lip balms can also contain gluten.
In extreme cases, the
presence of gluten on a molecular level is enough to cause severe
reactions for those with advanced sensitivities.
When someone with
Celiac Disease eats certain foods or uses different products containing
gluten, their immune system will damage or destroy the "villi"
- the microscopic, finger-like lining of the small intestine. The villi
function to allow nutrients from food to be absorbed through the walls
of the small intestine into the bloodstream. Without the villi
functioning properly, signs of malnutrition may start to appear.
Celiac
is not only an abnormal immune reaction to gluten, but also a condition
where nutrients are not absorbed adequately and studies have shown
proof that it is genetic in nature.
There have been reports of
Gout Sufferers who also have Celiac Disease that have found relief from
both of the diseases with prolonged and intensive use of highly
concentrated Antioxidants.
The symptoms of Celiac can also vary
with such factors as; a person's age and/or the degree of damage that
has been done to the small intestine. Some people have the symptoms and
condition for 10 years or more before they are diagnosed. If left
undiagnosed and untreated, the greater the risk of sustaining long-term
complications.
How does Gout fit in?
Rheumatoid
arthritis is typically labeled as an autoimmune disease. No condition
is completely and exclusively manifested from internal sources and it is
logical that there is always some form of external influences. Fairly
often, Arthritis is associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Food
allergies, poor gastrointestinal tract function, and immune attacks on
connective tissues, are closely associated. In the case of all arthritic
instances, close attention should be paid to dietary intake and
monitored carefully.
Arthritis that appears to stem from an
allergic reaction is not usually recognized as a food allergy, even when
pain and swelling starts to develop in one of more of the joints. It
doesn't matter if the food is something that is commonly eaten by an
individual, or something completely new; joint inflammation can occur
due to an accumulation of causes or from a combination metabolic
substances. Such is the case with Gout.
Presently, Celiac Disease
and "Gluten Intolerance" are often used interchangeably although this is
a misconception. To diagnose Celiac, blood tests are drawn to measure
for high levels of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies or anti-endomysium antibodies.
However
this is not to discount that more reports are now showing low-level
irritation and gluten sensitivities in the small intestine in more
people. Due to the number of gout sufferers that are also showing signs
of Celiac Disease, as well as the growing number of people expressing
inflammatory bowel-like symptoms, there is evidence that low-grade
gluten intolerance is affecting a much broader range of the population
than previously thought.
The speculation still remains that either
Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance is the culprit or at least an
accomplice to the condition of Gout.By
Bert Middleton