Historically it was believed that mostly children contracted Celiac Disease (CD), but evidence is now emerging which may help us understand why adults are increasingly developing this auto-immune disorder.
A new study on Celiac Disease (CD) recently compared blood samples taken in adults in 1974 and 1989 and discovered that the number of participants showing blood markers for CD went from 1 in 501 to 1 in 219 during that period.The researchers believe this is evidence that a growing number of adults is developing the disease later in life.
Moreover, Alessio Fasano, director of the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Celiac Research and the lead author of the study, believes that many adults who manifest the disease later in life have a genetic predisposition for CD that is eventually expressed when their gut bacteria changes. Fasano theorizes that this change in intestinal ecology may result from an infection, surgery or antibiotics which triggers the expression of those genes. It’s also quite possible then that someone with a genetic predisposition for CD may live their lives without developing the disease.
It’s not yet certain what role gut bacteria plays in CD, but on a personal note, I was diagnosed with the disease 11 years ago – at the same time it was discovered my appendix was infected. Once I had an appendectomy and eliminated gluten from my diet my health improved dramatically. In light of this recent research, I wonder if there was a relationship between my two health problems, for it’s now known that the appendix is a storage for beneficial bacteria .
It may also explain why those with CD (and other auto-immune diseases) may benefit from consuming probiotics and prebiotics as recent research suggests .
Historically it was believed that mostly children contracted Celiac Disease (CD), but evidence is now emerging which may help us understand why adults are increasingly developing this auto-immune disorder.
A new study on Celiac Disease (CD) recently compared blood samples taken in adults in 1974 and 1989 and discovered that the number of participants showing blood markers for CD went from 1 in 501 to 1 in 219 during that period.The researchers believe this is evidence that a growing number of adults is developing the disease later in life.
Moreover, Alessio Fasano, director of the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Celiac Research and the lead author of the study, believes that many adults who manifest the disease later in life have a genetic predisposition for CD that is eventually expressed when their gut bacteria changes. Fasano theorizes that this change in intestinal ecology may result from an infection, surgery or antibiotics which triggers the expression of those genes. It’s also quite possible then that someone with a genetic predisposition for CD may live their lives without developing the disease.
It’s not yet certain what role gut bacteria plays in CD, but on a personal note, I was diagnosed with the disease 11 years ago – at the same time it was discovered my appendix was infected. Once I had an appendectomy and eliminated gluten from my diet my health improved dramatically. In light of this recent research, I wonder if there was a relationship between my two health problems, for it’s now known that the appendix is a storage for beneficial bacteria .
It may also explain why those with CD (and other auto-immune diseases) may benefit from consuming probiotics and prebiotics as recent research suggests .
Be Well,
Carolyn