Celiac Patients Can B Healthy
by healthetimes in In the News
A recent study finds that B vitamin supplements reduce the risk of developing very high levels of homocysteine in people with celiac disease and, according to researchers, “should be considered in disease management.”
A lifelong digestive disorder, celiac disease (CD) affects both children and adults. When someone with CD ingests foods that contain gluten, a protein found in wheat and several other grains, it creates an immune-mediated reaction that causes damage to the small intestine. This damage doesn’t allow basic nutrients from food—including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals—to be properly absorbed.
Since the body can’t properly absorb nutrients, CD increases the risk of folate and B12 deficiency, which can contribute to the development of excess levels of homocysteine. Elevated blood levels of homocysteine increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. In this study, researchers looked at the effect of daily vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 supplements combined with a gluten-free diet in individuals with CD. Those who took the B vitamins had significantly higher blood levels of these vitamins and also had lower total homocysteine levels compared to celiac patients not taking the supplements and the healthy control group.
Celiac Disease Resources:
Celiac.com, www.celiac.com
Celiac Disease Awareness Campaign, www.celiac.org
Celiac Disease Foundation, www.celiac.org
Gluten-Free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide by Shelly Case ($24.95, Case Nutrition Consulting, 2006)
Kids with Celiac Disease: A Family Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy, Gluten-Free Children by Danna Korn ($17.95, Woodbine House, 2001)
Wheat-Free, Worry-Free: The Art of Happy, Healthy, Gluten-Free Living by Danna Korn ($14.95, Hay House, 2002)
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