COVID-19 is not just a problem for the elderly population — young and healthy individuals can also end up hospitalized, or even on a ventilator, depending on their genetics.

There are reports of marathon runners under the age of 50 almost dying from COVID-19. I personally am aware of a case of a woman in her early 20s on a ventilator from COVID-19 complications. What is the reason why healthy people in addition to the elderly can succumb to COVID-19?

One key reason is cytokine storm.

What is a cytokine storm?

The term “cytokine storm” encompasses a multi-factorial hyperinflammation associated with increased expression of different…

My first exposure to cases of pediatric celiac disease confirmed what was published in a text I read by Walker-Smith and Murch back in 1999 titled Diseases of the Small Intestine in Childhood. 4th ed. The authors were describing dominant symptoms that differed from what were referred to as more common symptoms of the disease in the adult population.

Five years later, Ludvigsson and colleagues published a paper in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition discussing the same topic with regard to Swedish children with celiac disease. This paper covered the signs and symptoms of celiac disease in a…

“Biochemical individuality” — A phrase I state multiple times a day in appointment settings, speaking with the media, and colleagues alike. That phrase comes to mind again with regard to a proper understanding of the unique nutrient deficiencies that may plague the newly diagnosed celiac disease patient. I will discuss what is common in peer-reviewed literature, but that data should be a guide, not set-in stone examples of only what to test for in such a patient base.

Since celiac disease is a disease that attacks the nutrient absorption areas of the small intestine, nutrients that appear in peer-reviewed literature…

A paper published last year by Simons and colleagues identified a direct link between celiac disease and pneumococcal infection. While the incidence was higher in hospitalized patients versus the general population, the data has been building for years in the general population. The main cause of action for this increased risk involves the spleen.

The Spleen

In the most basic terms, the spleen is an organ in the lymphatic system that helps maintain fluid balance in the body and fight off infection. It is located on the left side of the body, under the ribs and above the stomach. It is about…

As a celiac disease expert, one question I am asked most often is “what if you have celiac disease and are exposed to gluten?” Unfortunately there are no magic bullets. There is no cure for this disease. Sadly, many celiac disease organizations estimate over 75% of celiac disease patients confirm exposure to gluten over a short period of time. It is important to state what I hope is obvious, but it is critical to communicate that you have celiac disease to whomever is preparing your food. Regardless, sometimes things do not go as planned. If you, like me, have celiac…

Receiving continuing proper medical care after the diagnosis of celiac disease is critical. I call the process of medical follow up for the celiac disease patient the 3 or 6 and 12 month post diagnosis process (just remember 3 or 6 and 12).

Around 3 to 6 months after your diagnosis see your physician for a follow up appointment. I prefer 3 months, but there is one test that actually requires 6 months to become normal on a strict GF diet, I’ll explain in a moment. The reason I prefer a medical follow up at 3 months post diagnosis versus…

Lactose intolerance is not the same as an allergy to milk. Lactose intolerance differs from a milk allergy in that a milk allergy is an immune system reaction and true lactose intolerance is due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase that digests the milk sugar lactose that does not cause an immune system reaction. Lack of this enzyme can cause some disturbing symptoms including but not limited to bloating, gas and diarrhea.

It is estimated that 68% of the world’s population have lactose intolerance, which is also referred to as lactose malabsorption. The 68% of the population with lactose…

Should you just immediately go gluten free and skip any diagnosis? No, and I’ll explain in a bit. The goal is to find out if you have this lifelong disease. Do not stop eating gluten and schedule an appointment with your doctor. All the testing I’m about to recommend (except for genetic testing) requires gluten being in your diet.

It may help to bring this article to your doctor. I’m going to do my best to simplify this process, but please note things can get a bit complicated.

Start with a request for a total serum IgA and a tissue…