Funny you should post this- I just discovered that I'm gluten sensitive and carry the gene for celiac's. They are not the same thing. My mother has celiac's and is gluten sensitive also, and is wasting away- from what I've read, researchers attribute everything under the sun to gluten sensitivity. For some unbiased info on what celiac can develop into, I've copied this
from the NIH site. I haven't read anything directly attributing abdominal fat to gluten sensitivity, but it has been linked with overall carbohydrate sensitivity and insulin resistance- both which are marked by increased abdominal fat.
A gluten-free diet is NOT a lower carb or low cal diet. I'm having trouble finding gluten-free substitutes for some of the foods I eat that are as low cal and nutritious (OATMEAL!) as what I'm trying to replace. A lot of celiac patients seems to gain weight as they heal on a gluten-free diet. This is partly because the absorbtion of nutrients improves, and because the gluten free foods are higher calorie
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddise...ac/index.htm#9
What are the complications of celiac disease?
Damage to the small intestine and the resulting nutrient absorption problems
put a person with celiac disease at risk for malnutrition and anemia as well as
several diseases and health problems.
* Lymphoma and adenocarcinoma are cancers that can develop in the
intestine.
* Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become weak,
brittle, and prone to breaking. Poor calcium absorption contributes to
osteoporosis.
* Miscarriage and congenital malformation of the baby,
such as neural tube defects, are risks for pregnant women with untreated
celiac disease because of nutrient absorption problems.
* Short stature
refers to being significantly under-the-average height. Short stature
results when childhood celiac disease prevents nutrient absorption
during the years when nutrition is critical to a child's normal growth
and development. Children who are diagnosed and treated before their
growth stops may have a catch-up period.
How common is celiac disease?
Data on the prevalence of celiac disease
is spotty. In Italy, about 1 in 250 people and in Ireland about 1 in 300
people have celiac disease. Recent studies have shown that it may be
more common in Africa, South America, and Asia than previously believed.
Until recently, celiac disease was thought to be uncommon in the United
States. However, studies have shown that celiac disease is very common.
Recent findings estimate about 2 million people in the United States
have celiac disease, or about 1 in 133 people. Among people who have a
first-degree relative diagnosed with celiac disease, as many as 1 in 22
people may have the disease.
Without treatment, people with celiac disease can develop complications
like cancer, osteoporosis, anemia, and seizures.
* A person with celiac disease may or may not have symptoms.
* Since celiac
disease is hereditary, family members of a person with celiac disease
may wish to be tested. * Celiac disease is treated by eliminating all
gluten from the diet. The gluten-free diet is a lifetime requirement. *
A dietitian can teach a person with celiac disease food selection, label
reading, and other strategies to help manage the disease.
Diseases Linked to Celiac Disease
People with celiac disease tend to have other
autoimmune diseases. The connection between celiac disease and these
diseases may be genetic. These diseases include
* thyroid disease
*systemic lupus erythematosus
* type 1 diabetes
* liver disease
*collagen vascular disease
* rheumatoid arthritis
* Sjögren's syndrome
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a severe itchy, blistering
manifestation of celiac disease. The rash usually occurs on the elbows,
knees, and buttocks. Not all people with celiac disease develop
dermatitis herpetiformis. Unlike other forms of celiac disease, the
range of intestinal abnormalities in DH is highly variable, from minimal
to severe. Only about 20 percent of people with DH have intestinal
symptoms of celiac disease.
What are the symptoms of celiac disease?
Celiac disease affects people differently. Symptoms may occur in the digestive system, or in other parts of the body. For example, one person might have diarrhea and abdominal pain, while another person may be irritable or depressed. In fact, irritability is one of the most common symptoms in children.
Symptoms of celiac disease may include one or more of the following:
* gas
* recurring abdominal bloating and pain
* chronic diarrhea
* pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool
* weight loss / weight gain
* fatigue
* unexplained anemia (a low count of red blood cells causing fatigue)
* bone or joint pain
* osteoporosis, osteopenia
* behavioral changes
* tingling numbness in the legs (from nerve damage)
* muscle cramps
* seizures
* missed menstrual periods (often because of excessive weight loss)
* infertility, recurrent miscarriage
* delayed growth
* failure to thrive in infants
* pale sores inside the mouth, called aphthous ulcers
* tooth discoloration or loss of enamel
* itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis
A person with celiac disease may have no symptoms. People without symptoms are still at risk for the complications of celiac disease, including malnutrition. The longer a person goes undiagnosed and untreated, the greater the chance of developing malnutrition and other complications. Anemia, delayed growth, and weight loss are signs of malnutrition: The body is just not getting enough nutrients. Malnutrition is a serious problem for children because they need adequate nutrition to develop properly. (See Complications.)
Why are celiac symptoms so varied?
Researchers are studying the reasons celiac disease affects people differently. Some people develop symptoms as children, others as adults. Some people with celiac disease may not have symptoms, while others may not know their symptoms are from celiac disease. The undamaged part of their small intestine may notbe able to absorb enough nutrients to prevent symptoms.
Celiac disease could be under diagnosed in the United States for a number
of reasons including:
* Celiac symptoms can be attributed to other problems.
* Many doctors are not knowledgeable about the disease
* Only a small number of U.S. laboratories are experienced and skilled in testing for celiac disease.
That Stubborn Belly Fat
Anyway, I was moaning to my trainer about this problem area, and she said she's been reading stuff that indicates that more people are gluten sensitive than doctors realize, and that food sensitivities can cause people to have more belly fat. I'm just wondering if anyone else has heard of this? I've been kind of bummed lately that I just can't get myself down to a size 10 because of the waist issue. My ultimate goal of wearing a size 8 seems pretty impossible right now if I can't even get into a 10 at a weight that's healthy for me, and after so much time building muscle and losing bodyfat.
