People with celiac disease suffer from damage to their small intestines caused by ingestion of foods containing the protein gluten. When this damage occurs, it inhibits your body's ability to absorb nutrients contained in the foods you eat. It's actually common for newly diagnosed celiacs to be deficient in several important vitamins, including folic acid. Following a gluten-free diet -- which will omit the grains wheat, barley and rye from your meals -- should help you bring up your folic acid levels after you're diagnosed with celiac disease.
Background
Your genetics predispose you to celiac disease, although it's not clear why some people with celiac genes eventually develop the condition and others do not. When you suffer from celiac disease, gluten ingestion causes your upper intestines to become inflamed. In addition, your intestinal lining wears away, which makes it harder or even impossible for your body to absorb critical nutrients, including folic acid, calcium, vitamin D and other important vitamins and minerals.
Details
Folic acid, which also goes by the name folate, helps your body convert carbohydrates, fats and proteins to energy. It also works to keep your nervous system functioning smoothly, especially your brain; in fact, people with low levels of folic acid are at risk for mental and emotional health problems. Folic acid also plays a major role in preventing birth defects, since mothers with low levels of this B vitamin in their systems are at higher risk for giving birth to babies with spinal cord defects.
Risks
People with celiac disease often have sub-par levels of folic acid, according to research published in the "Postgraduate Medical Journal" in 2002. The study noted that people with celiac disease may have higher levels of neurological disorders, including epilepsy, that might be partially explained by the patients' low levels of folic acid. Implementing a gluten-free diet in those patients -- which would help them to better absorb all nutrients, including folic acid -- seems to help to reverse the neurological disorders.
Considerations
The recommended daily allowance for folic acid is 400 micrograms for adults and 600 micrograms for pregnant women. If you have celiac disease and medical testing indicates you have low levels of folic acid, you should talk to your doctor about whether you should take a supplement to boost your levels. If your physicians recommends a supplement, make sure to choose a vitamin brand labeled "gluten-free."
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