In the last 60 years, the number of people diagnosed with celiac disease in the US has increased 500%.

The Mayo Clinic describes Celiac disease as “a digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is found in bread, pasta, cookies, pizza crust and many other foods containing wheat, barley or rye. If you have celiac disease and eat foods containing gluten, an immune reaction occurs in your small intestine, causing damage to the surface of your small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients.”

Over time, the decreased absorption of nutrients that occurs with celiac disease can cause vitamin deficiencies that deprive your brain, peripheral nervous system, bones, liver and other organs of vital nourishment, and can lead to other illnesses and stunted growth in children.

University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Celiac Research discovered in a new study that the cases of celiac disease have risen in the elderly who are especially vulnerable to the dangers of the toxicity triggered by gluten sensitivity which is damaging to the small intestine.

Carlo Catassi, MD, Universita Politecnica delle Marche Italy notes, "our findings show that some people develop celiac disease quite late in life."

As participants in the study aged, the incidence of celiac disease increased, duplicating the results of a Finnish study which revealed the prevalence of celiac disease in the elderly was 2.5 times higher than in the general population.  Results from both of these studies contradict the common belief that gluten intolerance develops in childhood.

While experts have identified specific genetic markers for celiac disease, it isn't known why some individuals lose tolerance to gluten.  Alessio Fasano, MD, Director, University of Maryland Mucosal Biology research Center and Celiac Research Center said, “Our study shows that environmental factors cause an individual’s immune system to lose tolerance to gluten, given the fact that genetics was not a factor in our study since we followed the same individuals over time.”

Fasano believes environmental factors may trigger changes in the immune system that could activate an anti-gluten gene, but acknowledges that identifying those factors won't be easy.

"What has changed in the environment in the last 30 years?" Fasano said. "We have more antibiotics, more vaccinations, bioengineered foods, chemicals we haven't been exposed to, and pollutants that haven't been around in the concentrations we have now."

Fasano's theory regarding environmental factors corresponds with an early study this year by Bob Anderson, Celiac Disease Researcher, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Victoria, Australia, wherein Anderson surmised, "Something is changing in the environment, the genes haven't changed, but the way that the immune system is handling gluten is obviously changing."

Researchers emphasize that the results from this study reveal that celiac disease is far more prevalent in elderly people than in the general population, and doctors are encouraged to use blood tests for diagnostic and treatment purposes since undetected celiac disease can lead to serious complications and even early death.

No treatment can cure celiac disease. However, you can effectively manage celiac disease through changing your diet.  Once gluten is removed from your diet, inflammation in your small intestine will begin to subside, usually within several weeks, and you may start to feel better in just a few days.

    * Avoid these foods unless they're labeled as gluten-free or made with corn, rice, soy or other gluten-free grains:
    *Breads, cereals, crackers, pasta, cookies, cakes, pies, gravies, sauces
    * Food additives containing gluten, such as malt flavoring, modified food starch and others.
    *Hidden gluten sources include medications and vitamins that use gluten as a binding agent, lipstick, postage stamps.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease may include:

     *Diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, irritability or depression, anemia, stomach upset, joint pain, muscle cramps, skin rash, mouth sores, dental and bone disorders and tingling in the legs and feet.

Symptoms of malabsorption resulting from the disease include:

    *Weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, gas, bloating, general weakness and fatigue, foul-smelling or grayish stools that may be fatty or oily, osteoporosis, anemia and stunted growth in children.

Risk factors for Celiac Disease:

    * Type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, Down syndrome, Mictroscopic colitis, particularly collagenous colitis, Genes HLA-DQ2 and DQ8, Immediate family member affected raises risk up to 15%

'Good' bacteria that reside in your gut, known as probiotics, have some very important functions especially for those suffering from celiac disease according to Dr. Mercola, such as:

    * Digesting and absorbing certain carbohydrates. Without good gut bacteria, your body cannot absorb certain undigested starches, fiber, and sugars. The friendly bacteria in your digestive tract convert these carbohydrates into primary sources of important energy and nutrients.
    * Producing vitamins, absorbing minerals and eliminating toxins. Probiotics help in the production of both vitamin K and B vitamins, and promote mineral absorption. They also aid in metabolism and the breakdown of toxins.
    * Keeping bad bacteria under control. The good bacteria tell your body how much nutrition they need and your body responds by supplying just that much and no more - so that any excess bad bacteria are starved out. The helpful bacteria also produce a substance that kills harmful microbes.
    * Preventing allergies. Friendly bacteria train your immune system to distinguish between pathogens and non-harmful antigens, and to respond appropriately. This important function prevents your immune system from overreacting to non-harmful antigens, which is the genesis of allergies.
    * Providing vital support to your immune system. Beneficial bacteria have a lifelong, powerful effect on your gut’s immune system and your systemic immune system as well. The bacteria play a crucial role in the development and operation of the mucosal immune system in your digestive tract. They also aid in the production of antibodies to pathogens.

If you want more information about celiac disease, the following web sites are good places to start:
    * www.celiaccenter.org
    * www.celiac.com