This is super interesting. I help many patients who have celiac disease, therefore they don't eat bread. But this study discusses the link between gluten/carbohydrate diets and dementia risk. http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/antibrain-food#1
Screen Shot 2014-02-18 at 2.23.15 PM
Friends, please come see me if you think you have celiac disease. There's a whole healthy life ahead of you! I got you,
- Dr. Dale
___________________________
Marlene Busko
March 29, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC — Compared with the general population, individuals with celiac disease were almost twice as likely to have CAD, according to a large retrospective study presented here today at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2014 Scientific Sessions[1]. Even patients younger than aged 65 years were at higher risk.
Celiac disease—a chronic inflammatory condition of the digestive system that can damage the small intestine—was also linked with a 1.4-fold greater risk of stroke.
The study highlights a specific patient population that might be at higher risk of CAD, even in the absence of traditional CV risk factors, said coinvestigator DrRama Dilip Gajulapalli (Cleveland Clinic, OH). "Primary-care physicians, gastroenterologists, and [other] healthcare practitioners need to be mindful of their celiac patients; they have to be on the watch for probable cardiac diseases," he said during a press briefing.
The possible mechanism for the heightened risk may be related to chronic inflammation. "People with celiac disease have some persistent low-grade inflammation in the gut that can spill immune mediators into the bloodstream, which can then accelerate the process of atherosclerosis and, in turn, CAD," Gajulapalli explained in a statement. "Our findings reinforce the idea that chronic inflammation, whether it's from an infection or a disease, can have an adverse role in CAD and heart health in general."
"These data remind us that other inflammatory states like lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease have also been linked to CAD, so perhaps we can add celiac disease to this list," echoed moderator Dr Jeffrey Kuvin(Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA).
Celiac Disease on the Rise
Dr Rama Dilip Gajulapalli
Celiac disease affects an estimated one in 133 Americans, according to an ACC statement. However, more than 80% of people with the disease may be undiagnosed or wrongly diagnosed with, for example, lactose intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome. The disease is four times more common now than 50 years ago, and the only treatment is a gluten-free diet.
Celiac disease has been linked to arrhythmias and possible heart failure, so investigators hypothesized the disease is also associated with CAD.
They examined electronic health records of patients from 13 healthcare systems seen between January 1999 and September 2013. From nearly 22.4 million patients, they identified 24 530 diagnosed with celiac disease. The remaining patients served as controls.
The prevalence of CAD was significantly higher in all patients—as well as younger and older patients—with celiac disease than controls.
Prevalence of CAD in Patients With Celiac Disease
Age group
CAD prevalence (%),
patients with celiac disease
(n=24 530)
CAD prevalence (%), patients without celiac disease
(n= 22 360 810)
p
All ages (
>
18 y)
9.5
5.6
<0.0001
>65 y
28.6
13.2
<0.0001
18–65
4.5
2.4
<0.0001
"This is an important study because it highlights a specific patient population who might be at higher risk for CAD, even in the absence of traditional CV risk factors," Gajulapalli said. "We were surprised by the strength of the association, especially in younger people. Patients and doctors should be aware of this association."
Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings, however. Future research should also investigate whether the larger population with gluten sensitivity may also be at increased risk of CAD.
Full results from this study are being presented during ACC 2014 but were released early via a special preconference press briefing, focused on consumer-interest news.
Gajulapalli RD, Pattanshetty DJ. Coronary artery disease prevalence is higher among celiac disease patients. Presented Saturday, March 29 at 1:30 p.m. EDT. American College of Cardiology 2014 Scientific Sessions ; March 29, 2014; Washington, DC. Abstract 1152-247
As a stomach doctor, these are all true! Also, I'd add "gluten" sensitivity as another major cause for bloating. -- Dr. Dale
l
------------------------------
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/10/bloating_n_5439816.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living
The Huffington Post | By Abigail Wise
It’s uncomfortable, gross and occasionally embarrassing, but bloating is something we all deal with at one point or another. Gassiness isn't just from gorging yourself at the last family meal. Bloating happens because your body can't break down gas, like it does the food you swallow. Sometimes even the digestive process itself creates gas right in your abdomen. If it's not released, air begins to build up in the stomach and intestines, which can make your belly feel like a balloon.
This type of abdominal discomfort can pop up at any time, last for hours and sometimes antacids and burping just don't quite do the trick. Can't seem to beat the bloat? Here are seven reasons that gas is gurgling in your gut.
You're stressed out.
When stress hits us hard, some of our bodies react by driving blood away from the usual digestive process, Dr. Anne Nedrow, M.D., told Health.com. As a result, you could end up with bloating, constipation, diarrhea or a plain old stomachache.
While stress itself could be to blame for bloating, the nervous habits that many of us pick up when we're anxious could also be the culprits, according to the Mayo Clinic. We chew gum, down carbonated drinks or even gulp air when we're nervous or feeling anxious. All of these habits push extra air into the stomach, which the body can't digest. This abdominal side effect is yet another reason to practice yoga, go for a run or do whatever it takes to de-stress.
Your medication is bringing on the bloat. Medications can come with a long, and sometimes nasty, list of possible side effects, including bloating. Meds that contain lactulose or sorbitol, or the diabetes medicine acarbose, are especially common culprits.
You ate too much.
Is that lump more than a food baby from your last big meal? An uncomfortable bubble in your belly could be gas trapped from eating too much in one sitting. Overeating is one of the most common causes of bloating. Research published in the International Journal of Obesity found that if you're binge eating, you're even more likely to encounter gassiness.
You chow down at superspeed. Stop gulping down your grub. Eating too quickly or drinking through a straw can result in swallowing bubbles of air along with your meal.
Plus, insufficient chewing can reduce your body's ability to digest carbs, nutritionist Monica Reinagel, M.S., LDN, CNS, tells The Huffington Post. This can create gas in the intestines, which makes you feel uncomfortable. Even if you're starved after a long day at the office, force yourself to chew thoroughly and take small sips before you swallow. This will help eliminate the air pockets that bloat your belly.
You're dehydrated. Just like crash diets cause the body go into starvation mode and cling to fat, your body begins to retain fluid when it's dehydrated, Marilyn Glenville, nutritional therapist, told Good Housekeeping. If you feel like you're retaining fluid, that probably means it's time to drink some more. Avoid carbonated drinks, which will likely exacerbate your problem. Instead, reach for herbal tea or a good old glass of water.
You're eating gassy foods.
Some foods are notorious for causing gas, Reinagel tells HuffPost. Cabbage, broccoli, kale, apples and avocados have all been known to cause bloating. Eating too much salt can also cause water retention, which can leave you feeling puffy. Plus, downing lots of fiber -- especially from supplements -- without drinking enough water is a fast track to a gassy gut. If you know the foods you're intolerant of -- dairy if you're lactose intolerant, for instance -- those might also be good to steer clear of if you're trying to break the bloat.
You have a chronic medical condition.Many disorders cause bloating, including celiac disease, dumping syndrome and even ovarian cancer. Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common. IBS affects the large intestine and causes food to be forced through the intestines faster than it should be, often resulting in gas and diarrhea. If you just can't seem to reduce your bloating, visit your doctor. Symptoms of many disorders can improve dramatically as people learn to control their condition.