An immunologically mediated systemic disease of the connective tissue characterized by inflammatory and degenerative changes in the muscles and in the skin.

A psychiatric condition characterized by abnormal social relations and is more characteristic of the classical infantile-onset CD, probably caused by nutritional deficits and toxic effects of severe malabsorption.

Poor control of blood sugar characterized by frequent rise (hyperglycemia) and fall (hypoglycemia).

A pancreatic disorder characterized by lack of insulin production.

Functional or organic changes resulting from diabetes affecting every organ of the GI tract.

A small intestinal disorder characterized by excessively rapid movement of intestinal contents through the small intestine with excessive loss of fluid and electrolytes that leads rapidly to a life threatening hypokalemia (low potassium blood level).

An intestinal motility disorder characterized by alteration in stool formation that ranges from loose to watery and frequent quantity.

A genetic disorder characterized by consequence of having an extra chromosome 21 or 22 and and by the frequent occurrence of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer-type dementia of early onset.

What Is Glucose?

G lucose is the most important simple sugar in human metabolism because it is the primary source of energy for most cells of the body and is particularly required by the brain.

Q: Where does glucose get energy?

A: The energy in glucose originally comes from the sun. Plants capture and bind the sun’s energy by means of photosynthesis. We eat the plants directly or indirectly by eating food from animals  that have eaten plants.

Energy from glucose is obtained in the body from its reaction with oxygen (oxidation) that occurs in power producing mitochondria within cells.¹

Humans cannot live without an adequate supply of glucose to the body.

What Is Glucose Deficiency In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/organic/sugar.html accessed 11 14 12 [↩]

What Is Alpha-Linolenic Acid?

A lpha-linolenic acid is an essential (need/can’t make) polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid that must be obtained in the diet. Alpha-linolenic acid is found in plant sources only.

Alpha-linolenic acid is required for normal brain function and nervous system health. It is an important building material for the eicosanoids.

Q: What are eicosanoids?

A: Eicosanoids are a large group of highly bioactive hormone-like substances including prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes that are involved in blood clotting, inflammation, and vasoconstriction (constriction of blood vessels).

Alpha-linolenic acid is a “parent” fatty acid because if sufficient amounts are present in the body, it can be used to produce both eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two other critical omega-3 fatty acids.¹ However, this conversion is limited. In healthy individuals, the conversion rate of ALA to EPA is less than 5 to 10% and ALA to DHA is only 2 to 5%.

Additionally, a deficient level of the mineral selenium can interfere with the conversion of alpha-linolenic acid into EPA and DHA. Also, folic acid supplement has been shown to increase omega-3 status and, conversely, to decrease omega-3 when folic acid is in deficient in animal models.

What Is Alpha-Linolenic Acid Deficiency?

1. Richardson AJ. The importance of omega-3 fatty acids for behavior, cognition, and mood. Scandinavian Journal of Nutrition. 2003; 47(2):92-8 [↩]