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Would You Take a Pill for Celiac?
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Some people that follow the gluten-free diet for health reasons are just holding on until a magic pill for celiac appears. The hope for them is that a pill could be taken and they could go back to eating whatever they wanted, without any ill effects. However, with all prescription medications, there are risks involved. Just look at the controversy over several osteoperosis drugs that might be linked to people breaking their femur bones. Yes, a drug meant to strengthen bones might be causing them to weaken with prolonged use. I’d read about this issue online two years ago and the FDA is just now considering investigating the issue. Watch the ABC News story here.
When you read about all the problems that are uncovered with pharmaceutical drugs, long after the FDA approves them, it’s hard to feel safe taking any drug every day for the rest of your life. At least it is for me. Even so, many people are hoping for a cure-all drug for celiac disease. For those of us who are a bit more cautious about taking non life saving medications every day forever are content on trying to make it easier just to live gluten-free. “Let food be thy medicine” is my motto at this point.
In looking at the data regarding medications for celiac, it seems there is going to be a fairly long wait until such a drug appears and even when and if it does, it’s likely to be more of a cross contamination medication than a cure-all for celiac. People might take a pill when dining out, vacationing or during holiday festivities. They would still not eat a lot gluten on purpose, but cross contamination issues might be less problematic. At the latest celiac conference in Chicago in September 2009, the possible and promising therapies for the condition discussed were not a magic pill that people could take and eat as much gluten as they desired. That’s disappointing news for many in the gluten-free community, but not for all.
Anything is possible so maybe a so-called magic pill for celiac will be available eventually. It would be interesting to see how many of our readers would be interested in a “magic pill for celiac”. Please take a moment to vote on this POLL. It’s completely anonymous and the data is not being collected for any company, drug or otherwise.
I agree completely with you – magic pills often have more side effects than they are worth. i feel this way about medication in general – I view meds as either a last resort or one of many tools I use in good health (depending on the ailment). If there is a way to live healthy and functionally with out it, I will choose that way even if ti’s less “fun” and desirable. I’d rather be “deprived” of gluten than to risk side effects from a “cure all” medication.
that said i do know some people believe celiac can be cured – that it is actually a long term health problem that stems from a sickly internal digestive system. I’m not sure how I feel about that one. I *think perhaps in some cases this could be true…. but not most. but this should perhaps be another post as that brings in the debate over weather celiac and gluten intolerance are different stages of the same disease (which I happen to believe) or entirely different, albeit slightly related, problems.
so all in all, I can’t think of one reason I would ever consider taking a celiac cure all pill. even for preventing cross contamination.
It’s interesting to see that the results of the poll were so spread out. Looks like most people will need more information before they take the pill. The gluten-free community and products have changed so much since we embarked on the gluten-free diet five years ago. It will be interesting to see what the next five years will bring to the GF diet.
I know it’s going to take a long time for a celiac pill to come out, but I’ve been waiting for nine years come on!!!! Now I have nothing to look forward to for a long time!!
It’s hard to find a GF pill for everything, and the cross-contamination if always a problem. I take crystalized ginger whenever I go out to eat and may have eaten food that was mistakenly put into my GF request. The ginger is supposed to be good for digestion, and it really seems to counteract some of the problems associated with eating out. Personally, I eat most of my meals “home made” at home, and I have less problems.
I’ve heard ginger is good for the stomach, but it isn’t for me personally. Calcium carbonate works better for me.