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.
Kim says
What. A. Jerk. Shameful treatment of his poor guest!
DamselflyDiary says
I tried to post a comment on Dr. Drew’s website and it kept erroring out on me. I wonder if they are intentionally blocking posts? Here is a copy of what I was going to post:
Dr. Drew should be ashamed of his treatment of Jennifer. However, it is entirely indicative of the way most doctors treat patients, especially when they can’t figure out what’s wrong. Throw some drugs at us to try to cover up symptoms and say it is all in our heads. This is why I rarely use traditional doctors any more, instead I rely on naturopathy, functional medicine and acupuncture for most of my health needs (except for yearly screening exams).
Since going gluten/wheat and soy free, my canker sores have gone away, I rarely get unexplained skin rashes and my digestive system is so much better. If you have unexplained health issues, try going gluten free and read labels carefully. It doesn’t cost you anything except for food (and there are so many good gluten free foods out there today). You should start feeling symptom improvement within a few weeks but long-term damage will take longer to repair.
For more information you can Google “elimination diet” to learn how to properly eliminate suspect foods from your diet, and re-introduce them as a test.
Note: I am NOT celiac but gluten and soy intolerant, as is my sister. So don’t try to solely rely on celiac blood screening tests.
Candy Thomson says
My son goes undiagnosed but has had to change his diet.
He is having so many problems with and upset stomach and joint pain.
We need public awarness so … to all the talk show hosts please listen and learn when you have a chance you could help so many.
elviira says
Unbelievable! I’m afraid this is not the first time a doctor spreads misleading and incorrect information, think about for example the lies related to cholesterol, “good” fats and whole grains, which just support food industry and pharmaceutical industry.
This is very unfortunate, I feel so sorry for Jennifer. Dr. Drew should be ashamed!
Colleen Young says
What kind of doctor is this??? No one knows what Blood work they get, how does he expect her to know this? Leaky Gut is not diarrhoea. WHAT kind of doctor is this piece of work? Better yet, when does his contract expire so a REAL doctor who keeps informed and up dated can take his place?????
laura says
there is a reason I decided to apply to naturopathic medicine after years of thinking I wanted to go to med school and become a family doctor. ND’s are actually interested in finding the root of the problem (i.e. underlying syndrome or disease) not just addressing the symptoms. Her celiac disease should have been caught much earlier, and his whole “syncope” term is completely wrong. Its too bad mainstream medicine doesn’t understand the devastating effects that improper nutrition can have on our body, and that pushing prescriptions is not the answer.
Sharon Petrini says
Dr. Drew owes Ms. Esposito and the celiac community a HUGE apology. A diagnosis of Celiac disease is just a start – the list of foods that irritate in addition to gluten, the social ostracization. Shame on Dr. Drew, and God bless Jennifer Esposito.
Mary Roberts says
I too am so amazed that Dr Drew can be so uninformed. He brought this guest on his show and didn’t even have the courtesy of finding out about the disease. He not only insulted her but the rest of us that suffer with this disease. Please take the time to educate yourself before you speak. Celiac is a disease not a condition and many suffer from the multiple conditions that it manifest within our systems. No two cases are alike just with other diseases.
TN Farmette says
This video does not surprise me in the least bit.
This is the SAME treatement I received from my primary care physician and two gastro doctors when I attempted to explain my gastro symptoms.
I was actually told I was “too fat” (5’8″, 170 pounds) to have Celiac disease!! One gastro doctor told me that I must be too stressed. The other told me that he “thought” I may have IBS. They both shook my hand, patted me on the back and sent me on my way.
I hope that Dr. Drew does some research on Celiac disease, and all of the lovely issues that go along with Celiac disease, and invites Ms. Esposito onto his show again with a big fat apology!
I grew up watching Dr. Drew on MTV and he has always been “pushy” but this video takes the gluten free cake!!!!!!!
Heather says
Such a disservice Dr. Drew did to the health community during this interview.