Recently a reader left a comment for me about an unfortunate interview in which Dr. Drew discusses celiac disease and leaky gut with a famous actress.
As those of us with celiac disease know, we are often questioned (not always in a constructive manner) by family and friends who do not understand the medical challenges we face.
Here is what we are often told about our conditions and the steps we take to remediate them:
- just a little bit won’t hurt you (fill in that sentence with gluten or other substances that make you ill)
- it’s all in your head
- you’re just following the latest fad
These types of questions are not malicious, they come from a place of ignorance and lack of education.
Unfortunately, it seemed that during his show, Dr. Drew was not entirely aware or informed when it came to his subject matter and did not display a comprehensive understanding of celiac disease and leaky gut. This is most regrettable as the doctor missed an opportunity to educate his audience on a disease that is widespread in the American population and around the world.
Celiac awareness and education is much farther along in other countries; in fact, in Italy, children are tested for celiac disease before they reach the age of 6. Celiac disease meets the World Health Organization standards for universal screening and is considered an epidemic by this organization.
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Here is the video in which Dr. Drew takes a less than sympathetic tone towards an individual with celiac disease and leaky gut:
As you can see from the video Dr. Drew is not familiar with leaky gut and does not entirely understand the concept of this medical disorder. Dr. Drew, here is a description of leaky gut from Dr. Andrew Weil, who says that leaky gut:
..affects the lining of the intestines. The theory is that leaky gut syndrome (also called increased intestinal permeability), is the result of damage to the intestinal lining, making it less able to protect the internal environment as well as to filter needed nutrients and other biological substances. As a consequence, some bacteria and their toxins, incompletely digested proteins and fats, and waste not normally absorbed may “leak” out of the intestines into the blood stream. This triggers an autoimmune reaction.
Leaky gut can lead to the following disorders:
- chronic inflammation
- food allergies
- skin rashes
- joint pain
- fatigue
So, here is my urgent plea to Dr. Drew: please use your platform as a public persona to further education regarding medical issues, rather than perpetuating common stereotypes and misinformation. This is a small request from those of us in the celiac community who work so hard in the name of celiac awareness and education.
Now is the time to rectify the unfortunate interview of Jennifer Esposito with a story on what celiac disease actually is and how it impacts the lives of millions of Americans. Leave a comment below if you wish to urge Dr. Drew to remedy this situation.
Gail Christine says
Great comments posted! I cringed watching this it was so uncomfortable seeing a “professional” behave the way this man did. I pray that he has since redeemed himself and apologized to this lovely woman. It has been some time since this interview, does anyone know if there was a positive outcome to this? I also hope Dr. Drew has educated himself and is behaving more appropriately.
sigh coexboifrend says
Dr. Drew doesn’t know everything. He certainly has no humility and resorts to talking down to people when he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. For years he denied that women could ejaculate and now he speaks as if he’s an expert on the subject. Dr. Drew, how do you expect to help people when you ridicule them? It’s not your place to heckle people that’s what Adam Carolla gets paid to do and he does it well. If you are the model of sobriety then I need a drink. You sound like a dry drunk. You sound angry and bothered with those who seek your help. Have you no compassion? If everyone communicated with each other the way you do then the world would be more messed up than it already is. I wonder what your diagnosis is? Megalomaniac? Narcissistic jerk? Stop living in denial Dr. Drew, check in with yourself or get off the air.