Meeting Nutritional Needs With Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a chronic digestive, genetic and autoimmune disease affecting approximately 2 million people in the United States. It mainly targets the small intestine and is triggered by eating gluten-containing foods.

- Blanca Garcia

Celiac disease patients immune system attacks gluten as it enters. This action damages the small intestine and disrupts the absorption of food nutrients in the blood. As a result, severe problems related to malnutrition can develop.

Common Symptoms

Some people with celiac disease can have no symptoms at all. However, some often experience digestive symptoms such as bloating, chronic diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, lactose intolerance, and loose, greasy, bulky, bad-smelling stools. But some people experience symptoms outside of the gut. An itchy rash called Dermatitis Herpetifoemis is fairly common.

How to Test? 

Testing for celiac disease (e.g., blood test, biopsy) is highly recommended, especially for those with a family history, as genes play a significant role in acquiring this disease.

Nutritional Deficiencies Reported with celiac disease

Nutrient deficiencies are common among people with celiac disease. The mucosal membrane in the small intestine is where most vitamins and minerals are absorbed, so deficiencies can be far-reaching when this membrane is, particularly

• Iron
• Calcium
• B vitamins, vitamin B12
• Copper 
• Zinc

If not properly managed, these deficiencies may result in long-term complications such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, iron deficiency anemia, and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.