Where is the Drug “Cure”?

In this country, we think the solution to many health problems is to swallow a pill. Have a headache? Swallow a pill. Have high blood pressure? Swallow a pill. Have celiac disease? You get the idea…

It’s sometimes quite an epiphany for an individual to realize that swallowing a pill that temporarily allays symptoms is really doing nothing to resolve the problem. If it did then the person who swallowed a pill for their headache or high blood pressure would never again be troubled by these problems. The fact that all drugs have dangerous side effects is another issue entirely, yet often one that many are willing to overlook.

What is a “Real” Cure?

Personally I used to have migraines. I resolved my migraines at their root cause level and have never had another, despite the supposed “genetic predisposition” from my mother. (By the way, I resolved hers’ too!) I also used to have low blood sugar to the point I passed out. Did I mention my horrible PMS and menstrual cramps? Yes, I resolved all of those as well.

When I say “resolved” I mean cured. I never had a problem with those symptoms ever again – and it’s been decades, which is probably a decent length of time by which to judge a cure. I then went on to do the same and more for many hundreds of my patients, much to their delight and mine.

Did my “cures” come from medications? You can likely guess the answer, but if you’re new to this blog, it’s no. What I did was discover the underlying cause for which the body was creating the symptoms and corrected those problems. Once that was accomplished the symptoms never recurred. They didn’t have to – the problem was solved.

Is a Celiac Cure on the Horizon?

I’d like to discuss a celiac “cure” that is on the horizon, likely within the decade. As I said, we love pills and drugs and many think they solve our health conditions. So it’s no wonder that hearing about a drug to treat celiac disease might give one the idea that once available, this drug would allow one to eat whatever gluten-containing food one wished. It’s a nice dream but let’s look at reality.

In a recent article in “Gluten-Free Living” magazine, Dr. Fasano from the University of Maryland’s Center for Celiac Research was interviewed. It was a fascinating article that supported much of what we talk about in this blog. He discussed many aspects of celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, as well as the status of drug treatment for celiac. He mentioned that drug development takes anywhere from 10 to 15 years of study with a cost of about a billion dollars.

Unfortunately, two of the companies leading the way in drug development for celiac disease are currently on hold in their research due to the economic downturn.

Currently, No Drug is Planned to Replace a Gluten-free Diet

What is the benefit to be seen from a celiac drug? According to Dr. Fasano, its use would be that of “peace of mind” should any minute cross-contamination occurs when someone is traveling or dining outside their home.

He specifically stated that it would not be an alternative to a gluten-free diet. I know this might be a harsh reality break for some, and I’m sorry. I have a clinic that sees people from around the country. Those who have suffered for a while with celiac disease are often knowledgeable about this research but are under the mistaken impression that when it’s developed they will be free to eat whatever they want. I’m assuming there are likely many with this erroneous impression.

Much like most medications, there is no magic to be had. Yes, medications can relieve symptoms which at times can be wonderful, especially when it comes to pain. And yes if you’re a celiac who undergoes great suffering with the slightest contamination from gluten, such a drug could be of great assistance. But ultimately health is regained through isolating and properly treating the root cause of the problem rather than masking it temporarily with medication. And unfortunately, along with their temporary aspect, most drugs have side effects, many quite serious.

What will be the side effect of the celiac drug? Only time will tell, but it’s unlikely there will be none. Therefore that will have to be taken into consideration as well once the time comes. Gluten is a protein that the human body is unable to digest completely. Does that mean that none of us should be consuming it? Is it possible that it’s a wolf disguised in sheep’s clothing? Would any of us starve if we never ate gluten again? My answers are “maybe”, “likely” and “definitely not”.