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.
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.
Beth says
This is so horrible. I never leave comments on blogs, but I am so shocked by this interview and they way she was treated by someone who is supposed to be a therapist?? Obviously he had his own message to get across…good for her for being aggressive to get out the truth of the conditions. I see many patients as a nutritionist with celiac and the damage caused by late diagnosis…I feel for her and everyone in that situation and I’m happy she gave them a voice. It’s sad so many doctors are still not current on research or open to newer diagnosis…
Barbara says
I realize that not every Dr. is familiar with Celiac Disease and that is not part of his medical specialty. But he really seemed to be trying to do a psych. tv intervention instead of interviewing someone with a disease. Dr. Drew, please make sure when your staff hand you your notes that they have at least looked up the definition and symptoms of the condition your guest has or check your pocket computer. You really came off looking foolish and missed a great opportunity to provide a real service to the celiac community. Celiac and Leaky Gut really wreak havoc with peoples lives.
Ashley says
Disgusted with him. So sad :(
Nancy says
A very sensitive part of me was touched by his arrogant rudeness. Many of us deal with this more often than we care to be reminded of and a little part of me dies each time because I wonder if I’ll ever have the freedom to explain myself (when asked) without wondering if my mental or emotional health will be questioned openly. Jennifer was so wonderful. Her ability to continue in her mission of educating others AS he tried to demean her speaks volumes about her. He let his ego do his talking until his ignorance got in its way. The lack of understanding has affected me more than any of the many other things this disease has had me handle.
Jenn says
I nearly cried reading what you said. I can relate. Sending virtual hugs…I GET IT.
Suzanne says
Its seems we still have a very long way to go.
Chrissy M says
That clip made me angry. Dr. Drew is a psychologist, not a psychiatrist. He hasn’t earned a MD. He only plays a medical doctor on television. So, why anyone would look to him to provide credible medical advice on physical ailments is beyond me. In my opinion, he’s not even great at his first profession with helping to cure addictions and other psychological problems.
Drew lost my respect a long time ago after the rude way he humiliated Cindy Sheehan on his show. He equated Sheehan’s protest of the wars with her being mentally unstable and crazy. He’s also diagnosed stars he’s never met, and posted them on his show.
Let me say this, I don’t dislike psychologists at all. I appreciate great therapists. But Drew is only after the spotlight, not helping people.
Annetta Black says
My heart goes out to that dear woman. I could feel her frustration with him as the interview went further downhill. She was so patient with him, I suppose hoping that she could say something he COULD understand.
Karin Ward says
Many people have intestinal bleeding when they eat foods they are intolerant to. If they have hemeroids as well, they can be and are easily miss diagnosed.
Many Dr.s do not want to leave the food pyramid that is touted by nutritionists. My husband and I both went on the blood type diet. We stopped eating foods we are not tolerant to at least 4 years ago. We are both doing extremely well and we can eat well without problems.
Most people’s egos can’t handle the self discipline or even the thought of a more restricted diet. They want medicine to come up with a diet pill. No diet pill can stave off inflammation continually. The inflammation will show up a bit differently in each person, but if someone is having an ailment medicine has already determined it is from inflammation. Step aside from your ego Dr Weil and do your homework!
Christy says
Unbelievable. Cudos to Jennifer Esposito for remaining calm, because just listening to the interview, I wasn’t able to! What arrogance. Being a “so called” doctor, does not give that man license to be drilling her so haughtily about what kind of blood tests she’d had done. A degree does not a physician make. Shame, shame, shame Dr Drew. You need to make this right and an apology is the first step.
Peggy says
I was shocked at the ignorance Dr. Drew displayed about celiac disease. It is quite a bit more than diarrhea and dehydration! And to continue to insist to the end that she is better now so it’s all okay was disconcerting; a doctor educated about autoimmune diseases would know better. I suggest Dr. Drew contact Dr. Peter Green at Columbia University for an education on this serious and growing disease. Maybe he will believe another physician, because he sure didn’t seem to believe this experienced victim.