Betty is a Registered Dietitian who earned her B.S. degree in Food and Nutrition from Marymount College of Fordham University and her M.S. degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. She is the Co-Director and Director of nutrition for the New York Obesity Research Center Weight Loss Program.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Are there any dietary deficiencies associated with celiac disease?
Patients with celiac disease are at risk for some nutritional deficiencies. A
recent study evaluated the nutritional status of over 400 patients who had been
diagnosed with celiac disease within the past 3 months. They found that 12% had
folate deficiency, 5% had B12 deficiency and 33% of the men and 19% of the women
had iron deficiency. Celiac disease patients are also at risk of developing low
bone mineral density (osteoporosis).
There are two reasons for nutritional deficiencies in celiac disease
patients;
the diseased small intestine causes lack of absorption of vitamins
and nutrients, and
strict gluten restriction can also lead to nutritional
deficiencies.
Many of the gluten-free foods are not fortified or enriched with
vitamins or minerals. Studies have also shown that gluten-free products are
often low in B vitamins, calcium, vitamin D, iron, zinc, magnesium, and fiber.
Fortunately, there are blood tests that your physician can do to determine if
you are deficient in any of the above. It's important to be aware of what
deficiencies you are at risk for, and make every effort to avoid these
deficiencies.
The deficiency in nutrients does not mean a deficiency in calories. There is
an increased incidence of obesity in persons with celiac disease following a
gluten-free diet. The dietary goal is to follow a well-balanced diet, with
appropriate supplements when needed, and an adequate amount of calories for a
healthy weight.
What foods are safe to consume with celiac disease?
There has been much advancement to assist with complying with a gluten-free
diet. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALPCA) requires
manufacturers to provide more information about the ingredients used to make
their food products, by specifying the presence of allergens on the product
label, including wheat. Wheat-free does not mean gluten-free so you will still
need to read the rest of the ingredients.
Muscle cramps are involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscles that do not relax. Extremely common, any muscles that have voluntary control, including some organs, are subject to cramp. Since there is such variety in the types of muscle cramps that can occur, many causes and preventative medications are known. Stretching is the most common way to stop or prevent most muscle cramps.
Diarrhea is a change is the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency are all symptoms of diarrhea. Absorbents and anti-motility medications are used to treat diarrhea.
Gas or "intestinal gas" means different things to different people. Everyone has gas and eliminates it by belching or farting (passing it through the rectum).
Constipation is defined medically as fewer than three stools per week and severe constipation as less than one stool per week. Constipation usually is caused by the slow movement of stool through the colon. There are many causes of constipation including medications, poor bowel habits, low fiber diets, abuse of laxatives, hormonal disorders, and diseases primarily of other parts of the body that also affect the colon.
Anemia is the condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. The oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is, therefore, decreased.
Celiac disease is a result of an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat or related grains and present in many foods that we eat. Celiac disease causes impaired absorption and digestion of nutrients through the small intestine. Signs and symptoms of celiac disease include malabsorbption (diarrhea, foul smelling gas, bloating, and increased amounts of fat in the stool) and malnutrition (weight loss, edema, anemia, bruising easily, neuropathy, and infertility). Treatment for celiac disease is a gluten free diet, and at times if necessary, medications
Learn about osteoporosis, a condition characterized by the loss of bone density, which leads to an increased risk of bone fracture. Unless one experiences a fracture, a person may have osteoporosis for decades without knowing it. Treatment for osteoporosis may involve medications that stop bone loss and increase bone strength and bone formation, as well as quitting smoking, regular exercise, cutting back on alcohol intake, and eating a calcium- and vitamin D-rich balanced diet.
Obesity is the state of being well above one's normal weight. A person has traditionally been
considered to be obese if they are more than 20 percent over their ideal weight.
That ideal weight must take into account the person's height, age, sex, and
build.
Enjoying a healthy diet helps to prevent diseases. A good diet also helps to control celiac disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure and maintain health by preventing loss of bone mass, muscle strength, and vitamin deficiencies.
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