The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases estimates that as much as 1 percent of the U.S. population may suffer from celiac disease; many with the disease go undiagnosed. In addition to symptoms of irritability, diarrhea, weight loss and depression, celiac disease can lead to osteoporosis if an appropriate amount of calcium is not consumed in the diet.
Celiac Disease
Persons who suffer from celiac disease cannot process gluten, a protein found in a variety of grains, including wheat, rye, bulgur, farina and barley. When these grains are eaten, the immune system responds by attacking the small intestine, damaging its lining and making it difficult for the small intestine to absorb nutrients from the food you eat. This can put you at risk for a variety of nutritional deficiencies and conditions caused by nutritional deficiencies, one of which is osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, osteoporosis is a disease that causes your bones to become weak and brittle, and makes your bones more suceptible to fracture. This is particularly true for the hip bones, wrist bones and spine. Post menopausal caucasian women are most at risk for osteoporosis, but the disease can strike either sex and those from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. A well-balanced diet is the best way to avoid osteoporosis, but those with celiac disease must pay special attention to the amount of calcium they get in their diets.
Celiac Disease and Calcium
Osteoporosis is one possible complication of celiac disease because the small intestine is not able to absorb enough calcium to build and maintain strong bones. This is particularly true for those with undiagnosed and untreated celiac disease who do not follow a gluten-free diet. Since humans accumulate 80 percent to 95 percent of their bone mass by the time they are 18 or 20, it is important for children and teens to supplement their diets with calcium to avoid bone diseases like osteoporosis.
Supplement Recommedations
Discuss your diet and nutrition needs with your doctor before using nutritional supplements. Include a wide range of foods high in calcium and vitamin D in your diet, including dairy products and leafy green vegetables. According to the Institute of Medicine, women and men under the age of 50 can supplement their calcium intake with 1,000 mg per day; those over the age of 50 may increase that to 1,200 mg per day. Vitamin D supplements may be recommended along with calcium, especially for older individuals or for those living in a northern climate with less access to regular sunlight.
References
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; What People With Celiac Disease Need to Know About Osteoporosis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Osteoporosis
- "American Family Physician": Detecting Celiac Disease in Your Patients; Harold T. Pruessner, M.D.; March 1998
- Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University: Management After the Diagnosis of CD
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