“Most people who have celiac disease are also gluten sensitive. Many people who are gluten sensitive are likely to develop celiac disease with continued gluten exposure (depending on their genetic markers)”.
–Rodney Ford, MD, Pediatric Gastroenterologist, New Zealand
WHAT?!?! Did I hear that correctly? A bold and new statement to be sure.
Based on his observations dealing with both celiac disease (CD) and non celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), Dr. Rodney Ford writes in a recent article this unprecedented statement about those suffering from non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). He goes on to say that separating CD from other gluten-illnesses is flawed thinking. He also brings in to question the various testing methodologies that diagnose CD, and if not you are NCGS.
Dr. Ford concludes, from his 35 years of clinical experience, that with time and continued gluten ingestion, some people who are considered NCGS will develop CD. Both groups have impressively similar symptoms, both are harmed by gluten and both disease states (symptoms) seem to be indistinguishable from each other without blood tests or endoscopy.
Dr. Ford recommends that both groups avoid gluten completely. And, to also strictly avoid cross–contamination. In his new book “The Gluten Syndrome” he describes his concepts of gluten and the harm it causes.
A slightly new twist to the idea that people who have NCGS are probably alright to have a little bit of gluten. you may now consider erroring on the safe side and avoid gluten completely. A tall order, but perhaps already adhered to by many who suffer the uncomfortable symptoms of gluten-sensitivity.
Medical research is still in the infant stages of understanding celiac disease and gluten related disorders. This is one expert’s opinion, who also poses some very daunting unanswered questions around CD and NCGS, till now, separate diseases. He encourages the medical community, researchers, and support groups to work together toward unraveling the truth.
The choice is yours, listen to your gut!!