This time on the ‘Gluten Free RN’ podcast, Nadine explores the connection between gluten intolerance and antibiotic-resistant threats. Because damaged intestines compromise the immune system, undiagnosed celiac patients are more likely to develop infections that necessitate antibiotics.
Nadine summarizes the 2013 CDC report, Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, explaining the three microorganisms identified in the report with a Threat Level of Urgent. Listen and learn how to protect yourself and your family from the public health threat posed by these bacteria!
What’s Discussed:
The prevalence of undiagnosed celiac disease and gluten intolerance
- 30-50% of the population carry the HLA-DQ2 and/or DQ8 genes
The importance of healthy intestinal tissue
- 70-90% of the immune system is in your intestines
The soldier analogy
- Healthy villi are like rested soldiers with loaded weapons on a clear day who can easily take out antigens that don’t belong
- Damaged villi are like soldiers on a bender with inadequate weaponry, operating in smoke and fire – they either don’t work at all or fire randomly at antigens
The need for a more judicious approach to prescribing antibiotics
- Overuse of antibiotics wipes out good microbiome along with bad
How to rebuild microbiome
- Kombucha
- High-quality probiotics
- Fermented foods
- Apple cider vinegar
The need for IgA and IgG testing to complement a celiac panel
The public health threat posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria
- The 2013 CDC report details 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths yearly
The connection between damaged intestines and a higher risk of bacterial infection requiring antibiotics
The three microorganisms with a Threat Level of Urgent
- Clostridium difficile (causes profuse diarrhea, 14,000 deaths/year)
- Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (50% fatal, 600 deaths/year)
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
The causes of inflammation in your intestines
- Gluten
- Dairy
- Sugar
Why Nadine has concerns about the potential pandemic and huge loss of life presented by large numbers of undiagnosed celiac patients who are susceptible to bacterial infections
Resources Mentioned:
CDC Report: Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013
Connect with Nadine:
Books by Nadine:
Dough Nation: A Nurse’s Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism
