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Celiac Sprue
Celiac Sprue, characterized by diarrhea, malnutrition, a bleeding tendency and decreased calcium, is a disease in which there is a malabsorption of gluten. It is therefore essential to avoid any wheat, rye, barley, triticale, or oats. Buckwheat and millet should be excluded initially as well as they may produce a similar reaction. In addition, milk and milk products should be avoided until the intestinal structure and function return to normal and the person redevelops milk tolerance. There are several other considerations worth mentioning. There may be an associated zinc deficiency. This may slow the resolve of the condition. In some cases, there is a folate-deficiency anemia present. A third and more serious consideration is the increased risk for malignant neoplasms seen in celiac patients. Possibly, this is because of decreased vitamin and mineral absorption and/or the gluten suppressing the immune system. A good quality multi-vitamin will address these conditions. While initially, it may seem to be a very restrictive diet, keep in mind that a large portion of the worlds population do not eat a wheat-based diet. Therefore, a good source of recipes are ethnic foods. Finally, fresh fruits and vegetables, unlike their canned or frozen counterparts, provide an easily absorbable source of vitamins and minerals often lacking in people with celiac sprue. |
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