Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the body has an un healthy reaction to ingested gluten. Here, we take an eagle’s eye view of this impactful condition, and discuss four suitable supplements to consider for someone in need of treatment for celiac disease.
A Look at Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a genetically inherited autoimmune conditionin which ingested gluten causes damage to the small intestine. Gluten consumption in someone with celiac disease causes intestinal damage which triggers symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, bloating, and other unwanted conditions. If this damage continues untreated, it leads to malabsorption, which disrupts the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. It is, therefore, very common in the American diet. Ingesting even small amounts of gluten, such as that found in bread crumbs, can cause minor intestinal damage. Therefore, someone with celiac disease must strictly adhere to a gluten-free diet for all of their life.
While celiac disease affects roughly one in 100 people worldwide, only about 30% of cases are properly diagnosed. Those who have undiagnosed celiac disease and continue to consume gluten increase their risk of a wide range of worsened complications. These include coronary artery disease and diabetes among numerous other diseases. For these reasons, it is crucial that you seek medical attention if you or someone you love has signs of reactions to gluten. This is especially the case if someone in your family has already been diagnosed with celiac disease.
4 Supplements to Help Counter Celiac Disease
Some vitamins and nutrients can be helpful in supplement form for those with celiac disease. This mostly comes down to the unique nutritional circumstances of the body of someone who is beset with this disease. Keep in mind that there are no substitutes for the prescribed medical treatments or dietary measures needed to manage celiac disease and mitigate its effects.
Vitamin B12 supplementation could be helpful for those with celiac disease, since many people with the disease are deficient in B12. This could be because those who are gluten intolerant might rarely eat any foods that are fortified with vitamin B12, which is a common component found in store-bought foods in the U.S. Deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause fatigue and other issues, but supplementing with it can help someone with celiac disease make up for its deficiency.
Calcium could prove to be a useful supplement to anyone with a dietary intolerance, and this could include those with celiac disease. Studies show that many people with celiac disease do not get the recommended amounts of calcium. Calcium is crucial for bone strength, muscular health, and many other bodily needs.
Vitamin D is a crucial vitamin on many fronts, and it could prove useful in supplement form for anyone with specialized dietary needs. This is especially the case in winter months, when many people do not get much natural vitamin D from sunlight exposure because they tend to spend much more time indoors away from the sun’s rays.
Zinc is a critical mineral for a host of bodily functions, and many people with celiac disease do not get enough of it. Zinc is necessary for cell functioning and recovering from colds, among other health benefits it imparts. Lack of sufficient zinc is linked to digestive disruptions, lethargy, and weight loss. For these reasons, a zinc supplement is a great option for someone with celiac disease.
If you or someone in your family has celiac disease, then consider how each of these supplements can make up for dietary deficiencies and improve overall health. It’s recommended that you always talk to your healthcare provider before taking a supplement for any reason.