Myths about Celiac Disease | Celiac Edmonton (2024)

MYTH: Celiac disease is rare in Canada.
FACT: Unfortunately, the diagnosis rate for celiac disease is increasing every year. In the most recent study, celiac disease was found to affect 1 in 100 people.

MYTH: Celiac disease is a disease of childhood.
FACT: Young adults, middle-aged adults, and senior citizens have all been surprised by a diagnosis of celiac disease.

MYTH: Celiac disease can be outgrown.
FACT: Celiac disease is a lifelong condition. Although it is possible for celiacs who are in remission after dietary treatment to take gluten without immediate obvious harm, we know that intestinal mucosal damage recurs and, with time, severe clinical symptoms can develop.

MYTH: Celiac disease is easily diagnosed.
FACT: It is more likely to be missed. The disease is a great mimicker, and people may suffer constipation, abdominal pain, vomiting, or anemia rather than the classic textbook symptoms of diarrhea, weight loss (or failure to grow), and steatorrhea (fatty stools).

MYTH: Celiac disease can be diagnosed by a simple blood test.
FACT: Currently, the only way to reliably test for celiac disease is to do an intestinal biopsy while the patient is still taking gluten. At best, blood tests are only screening tests. At worst, they can be misleading.

MYTH: An intestinal biopsy is a serious surgical procedure requiring general anesthesia.
FACT: Relax. Performed by a skilled physician, a biopsy is a safe procedure with minimal discomfort, tolerated without general anesthetic even by infants.

MYTH: A trial gluten free diet is a good way for your doctor to find out if you need a biopsy.
FACT: Watch out! A gluten free diet trial before intestinal biopsy can seriously jeopardize or prolong the time it will take for you to get a definitive diagnosis. This is because the diagnostic intestinal mucosal lesions may improve as a result of the diet, and may remain non-diagnostic for prolonged periods, even after reintroducing gluten.

MYTH: A person with celiac disease can tolerate a small amount of dietary gluten once in a while.
FACT: It’s best to stay away from gluten completely. You might be able to get away with gluten occasionally in that you will appear well, but serious damage to the intestinal villi can occur even with small amounts of gluten.

MYTH: The only dietary advice needed by a celiac is to avoid wheat and wheat products.
FACT: Effective treatment of celiac disease requires strict exclusion of gluten from the diet for life. Many foods unexpectedly contain gluten, and it’s not just in wheat but in rye, barley, oats, and triticale, and any parts thereof. Expert dietary instruction is essential so that you can avoid all sources of gluten and yet maintain a balanced and nutritious diet.

MYTH: Celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis are unrelated.
FACT: People with dermatitis herpetiformis can present with obvious signs and symptoms of celiac disease, or be asymptomatic but have a positive intestinal biopsy. Treatment with a gluten free diet helps control the dermatitis herpetiformis rash.

MYTH: If diagnosed and on a gluten free diet, the celiac is cured and will not need further medical or dietary supervision.
FACT: Some medical problems, such as iron deficiency anemia, may remain and need treatment. It is not yet clear whether late complications such as malignancy may occur, even after dietary treatment. Continued dietary advice and support are also essential to help you cope with changing formulations of prepared foods.

Myths about Celiac Disease | Celiac Edmonton (2024)

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Myths about Celiac Disease | Celiac Edmonton? ›

For example, Finland has the highest rate of diagnosed coeliac disease in the world at 1.9% of the population. Whilst Italy reports 1.6%, Africa just 0.5% and South America just 0.4%. This may be due to diet and genetic variation.

What country has the most people with celiac disease? ›

For example, Finland has the highest rate of diagnosed coeliac disease in the world at 1.9% of the population. Whilst Italy reports 1.6%, Africa just 0.5% and South America just 0.4%. This may be due to diet and genetic variation.

How common is celiac disease in Canada? ›

1% of Canadians have celiac disease (CD), an auto-immune condition that triggers the body to attack itself after ingesting gluten from grains like barley, rye, and wheat. CD has 200+ physical and neurological symptoms.

Why is celiac disease so common now? ›

“We don't know, but it's likely because we're derailing from evolution's plan in terms of having friendly interactions with the ecosystem — the soil, air, and water,” Fasano explains. “Chemical pollution and other factors impinge on our gut microbiome, which determines if, when, and why our genes are put into motion.”

What foods are forbidden for celiacs? ›

Avoid all products with barley, rye, triticale (a cross between wheat and rye), farina, graham flour, semolina, and any other kind of flour, including self-rising and durum, not labeled gluten-free. Be careful of corn and rice products.

What country is safest for celiacs? ›

Which are the best countries for coeliacs?
  1. IRELAND. There's a very high awareness of the condition in Ireland. ...
  2. AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. Gluten free awareness is widespread in both countries. ...
  3. ITALY. You would never believe that the iconic pizza and pasta country is good for those with coeliac disease. ...
  4. SWEDEN.
Jun 26, 2023

What race is prone to celiac disease? ›

Race. Celiac disease usually affects individuals of the non-Hispanic white race (1000 per 100,000 individuals), Hispanics (300 per 100,000 individuals) and non-Hispanic blacks (200 per 100,000 individuals). HLA-DQ2 associated celiac disease is frequently found in white populations located in Western Europe.

Is celiac disease a disability in Canada? ›

Those who suffer from celiac disease may qualify for the Disability Tax Credit. The government of Canada recognizes that celiac disease is a life-long medical condition that can be managed through diet.

Do celiacs bruise easily? ›

Other problems that can develop over time because the intestines do not absorb key nutrients include: Easy bruising. Depression or anxiety. Fatigue.

How to claim celiac disease on taxes in Canada? ›

Claim the benefit

You need to save all your receipts for all gluten-free food items, and calculate the difference between that and the product with gluten. “The difference in average cost of gluten-free products compared to the cost of a similar product with gluten”.

What is the main trigger for celiac disease? ›

Gluten. Consuming gluten triggers the abnormal immune system response that causes celiac disease.

Why are so many doctors against a gluten-free diet? ›

Numerous studies have shown that diets that are gluten free tend to be deficient in protein, folate, iron, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, B12, zinc, selenium, and fiber. In addition, they are more apt to have higher levels of nickel, which is highly allergenic to some patients.

What famous person has celiac disease? ›

List of people diagnosed with coeliac disease
NameNotability
Meg CabotAmerican author
Jon ChristosEnglish singer
Heidi CollinsAmerican news anchor
Jennifer EspositoAmerican actress
31 more rows

Why can't celiacs eat eggs? ›

Yes, eggs are naturally gluten-free.

However, eggs are often at a high risk for cross-contact due to the ways they are prepared.

Can celiacs eat bananas? ›

Bananas - The Original Gluten-Free Food for Celiac Disease | Magic Kitchen.

What food do celiacs miss the most? ›

In general, avoid the following foods if you have celiac disease:
  • Cereals, breads, or other grain products that include wheat, rye, barley, or oats. ...
  • Processed cheese, cheese mixes, low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese, or sour cream.
  • Dairy products such as yogurt or ice cream that contain fillers or additives.
Aug 10, 2023

Where is celiac disease most commonly found? ›

Celiac disease is most commonly found in people of Northern European descent. It's estimated to affect 1% of the populations of Europe and North America. You have a 10% chance of developing the disease if you have a first-degree relative, such as a parent or child, who has it.

What population is most affected by celiac disease? ›

A celiac disease diagnosis is more common in females than in males. Celiac disease is also more common in people who have certain chromosomal link disorders, such as Down syndrome link, Turner syndrome link, and Williams syndrome link.

What state has the most celiac disease? ›

Children in Colorado “conferred the highest risk for celiac disease” among the U.S. sites. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine when gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, is ingested.

Is celiac disease common in Europe? ›

Studies indicate that some 0.7% of the EU population. suffers from celiac disease but many cases go unreported.

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