African Americans & Celiac Disease EP072
06/08/18 • 28 min
Much existing propaganda claims that African Americans do not suffer from celiac disease. Even the Gluten Free RN was surprised to find out that her adopted daughter had a genetic predisposition to the disease back in 2006, as research available at the time regarded the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes to be primarily Caucasian traits. And until we take steps to conduct a mass screening, we simply don’t know how common celiac disease is among people of African descent.
Today, the Gluten Free RN is exploring celiac disease in the African American population. She covers a 2006 study out of Columbia University that assessed African American celiac patients, discussing the variety of ways the subjects presented with celiac disease and the potential reasons for their poor compliance with the prescribed gluten-free diet.
Nadine also considers the prevalence of celiac disease on the continent of Africa, explaining why she believes the number of celiac patients will explode with the population’s growing exposure to wheat. Listen in for the Gluten Free RN’s insight on other health issues that may point to undiagnosed celiac disease and learn how we can prevent celiac disease among the African American population with access to testing, social support and gluten-free food!
What’s Discussed:The 2006 Columbia University study of celiac disease in African Americans
- Identified nine patients with biopsy-proven celiac disease
- Presented with diarrhea, iron deficiency anemia and autoimmune disorders
Why patients in the Columbia study demonstrated poor dietary compliance
- Expense, availability and palatability of gluten-free food
- Lack of symptoms at diagnosis, inaccurate dietary information
Nadine’s prediction around the number of celiac patients in Africa
- Increasing exposure to wheat will cause explosion
The statistics regarding the mortality burden of celiac disease
- Science Daily reported estimates of 42K child deaths every year in 2011
- Majority from Africa and Asia
The overlap between diabetes and celiac disease
- Every type 1 diabetic is HLA-DQ2/8 gene carrier
The health issues that may indicate undiagnosed celiac disease
- Type 1 diabetes, cardiac issues, stroke and heart attack
- Obesity (stems from lack of nutrient absorption)
How to prevent celiac disease among the African American population
- Access to testing, social support and gluten-free food
Celiac Disease and How Gluten Affects Your Skin EP011
‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube
‘Celiac Disease in African-Americans’ in Digestive Diseases and Sciences
‘First Global Estimates of Coeliac Disease and Its Mortality Burden’ in Science Daily
Neurological Disorders Associated with Celiac Disease EP012
‘HLA Typing and Celiac Disease in Moroccans’ in Medical Sciences
University of Chicago: Celiac Disease Facts and Figures
‘Adult Coeliac Disease in South Africa: An Analysis of 20 Cases Emphasizing Atypical Pr...
Much existing propaganda claims that African Americans do not suffer from celiac disease. Even the Gluten Free RN was surprised to find out that her adopted daughter had a genetic predisposition to the disease back in 2006, as research available at the time regarded the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes to be primarily Caucasian traits. And until we take steps to conduct a mass screening, we simply don’t know how common celiac disease is among people of African descent.
Today, the Gluten Free RN is exploring celiac disease in the African American population. She covers a 2006 study out of Columbia University that assessed African American celiac patients, discussing the variety of ways the subjects presented with celiac disease and the potential reasons for their poor compliance with the prescribed gluten-free diet.
Nadine also considers the prevalence of celiac disease on the continent of Africa, explaining why she believes the number of celiac patients will explode with the population’s growing exposure to wheat. Listen in for the Gluten Free RN’s insight on other health issues that may point to undiagnosed celiac disease and learn how we can prevent celiac disease among the African American population with access to testing, social support and gluten-free food!
What’s Discussed:The 2006 Columbia University study of celiac disease in African Americans
- Identified nine patients with biopsy-proven celiac disease
- Presented with diarrhea, iron deficiency anemia and autoimmune disorders
Why patients in the Columbia study demonstrated poor dietary compliance
- Expense, availability and palatability of gluten-free food
- Lack of symptoms at diagnosis, inaccurate dietary information
Nadine’s prediction around the number of celiac patients in Africa
- Increasing exposure to wheat will cause explosion
The statistics regarding the mortality burden of celiac disease
- Science Daily reported estimates of 42K child deaths every year in 2011
- Majority from Africa and Asia
The overlap between diabetes and celiac disease
- Every type 1 diabetic is HLA-DQ2/8 gene carrier
The health issues that may indicate undiagnosed celiac disease
- Type 1 diabetes, cardiac issues, stroke and heart attack
- Obesity (stems from lack of nutrient absorption)
How to prevent celiac disease among the African American population
- Access to testing, social support and gluten-free food
Celiac Disease and How Gluten Affects Your Skin EP011
‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube
‘Celiac Disease in African-Americans’ in Digestive Diseases and Sciences
‘First Global Estimates of Coeliac Disease and Its Mortality Burden’ in Science Daily
Neurological Disorders Associated with Celiac Disease EP012
‘HLA Typing and Celiac Disease in Moroccans’ in Medical Sciences
University of Chicago: Celiac Disease Facts and Figures
‘Adult Coeliac Disease in South Africa: An Analysis of 20 Cases Emphasizing Atypical Pr...
Previous Episode
Celiac Disease & Why No One Should Have Belly Pain EP071
Approximately 50% of ER visits are associated with abdominal pain, and the vast majority of those patients are given a diagnosis of ‘abdominal pain of an unknown origin’ and directed to come back if the condition gets worse. This is little comfort to people suffering from severe discomfort who need answers around the cause of their belly pain, not just medication to mask it temporarily. Could undiagnosed celiac disease be the source of their suffering?
Today, the Gluten Free RN is diving into the issue of belly pain and undiagnosed celiac disease, discussing the expensive testing often conducted to determine the cause of abdominal discomfort—testing that rarely includes a celiac panel. She covers several of the common misdiagnoses of celiac patients as well as the incredibly high prevalence of abdominal pain in children.
Nadine shares the case study of a child-patient who was misdiagnosed with appendicitis and the research published in Digestive and Liver Disease outlining the unnecessary surgical interventions endured by undiagnosed celiac patients. Listen in for the Gluten Free RN’s advice to patients with idiopathic abdominal discomfort and learn why no one should suffer from belly pain!
What’s Discussed:The statistics around ER visits and abdominal pain
- 50% of visits associated with belly pain
The most common abdominal pain diagnoses
- Abdominal pain of unknown ideology, idiopathic abdominal pain
How patients are treated for idiopathic abdominal pain
- Medication, directive to return if condition gets worse
The testing to find the cause of chronic abdominal pain
- Expensive blood workups, rarely include celiac panel
How many children suffer from belly pain
- 30% report abdominal discomfort
Nadine’s patient who received a misdiagnosis of appendicitis
- Mother of child-patient sought second opinion prior to surgery
- Child didn’t have appendicitis, cause of pain still unknown
A research study around abdominal surgery and celiac disease
- Patients with celiac disease at increased risk of abdominal surgery
- Misdiagnosis leads to inappropriate interventions (i.e.: appendectomy)
Nadine’s advice for patients diagnosed with idiopathic abdominal pain
- Initiate clinical trail of gluten-free or Paleo diet
‘Increased Rate of Abdominal Surgery Both Before and After Diagnosis of Celiac Disease’ in Digestive and Liver Disease
‘Screening for Celiac Disease in Children with Recurrent Abdominal Pain’ in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
‘Effect of a Gluten-Free Diet on Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Celiac Disease’ in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
‘Clinical Features and Symptom Recovery on a Gluten-Free Diet in Canadian Adults with Celiac Disease’ in the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology
‘Association of Adult Celiac Disease with Surgical Abdominal Pain’ in Annals of Surgery
‘A New Insight into Non-Specific Abdominal Pain’ in The Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England
Connect with Nadine:‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube
Melodies of the Danube Gluten-Free Cruise with Nadine
Books by Nadine:Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Heal
Next Episode
Musings & Truths From the Gluten Free RN EP073
‘Know your own truth and let that guide you.’
How do you cut through the noise and misinformation around gluten sensitivity and celiac disease in order to make the best choices for your health and happiness? By tapping into your intuition and asking WHY when the answers don’t feel right—and reaching out to the right people for support when you need it.
Today, the Gluten Free RN is sharing her Top 10 Musings and Truths for health and wellbeing, empowering you to be self-protective and surround yourself with the people who genuinely care enough to speak up for—and with you. She shares the value in setting goals for your physical and mental health and taking your power back from the people who may have victimized you in the past.
Nadine also encourages you to get educated and engage in critical thinking, questioning the information you are given and saying ‘no’ to anyone who suggests you eat gluten—even if they happen to be a doctor. Listen in to understand the idea that ‘you are your own experiment’ and learn to be the healthiest YOU you can be by committing to a 100% gluten-free diet!
What’s Discussed:- Commit to being 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and ideally Paleo
- Focus on diet change for first year so intestines can heal
- Be self-protective
- Lose people who aren’t supportive
- Find your tribe
- People who speak up for/with you, willing to change diet
- Set goals for what you want your life to look like
- Write down objectives to make real, move in that direction
- Be powerful (even if you don’t feel it)
- Speak up and take power back, don’t be victim
- Get educated and educate others
- Go to conferences, read and do research
- Don’t believe everything you hear, read or say
- Get answers to questions, then question the answers (ask WHY)
- Don’t eat gluten for anyone
- Not for friends/family, doctors or research study
- Be the healthiest YOU, you can be
- Strive for MORE health, fun, good food and information
- You are your own experiment
- Reassess and apply new information as needs change, work with team
‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube
Melodies of the Danube Gluten-Free Cruise with Nadine
Books by Nadine:Dough Nation: A Nurse's Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Heal
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