GLUTEN &
DIABETES
TYPE 1 DIABETES PATIENTS ARE
AT RISK FOR CELIAC DISEASE…
GOING GLUTEN-FREE IS THE KEY.
You’ve probably heard about the harmful effects of gluten—and perhaps
you know that celiac disease is related to gluten consumption.
But did you know that celiac disease is more common in people with
type 1 diabetes?
Before reviewing celiac, a brief explanation
on gluten. Gluten is a protein
found in wheat, rye,
barley and all foods
that are made with
these grains. When
someone afflicted
with celiac disease
eats any food that
contains gluten,
their body initiates
an immune response
which attacks
and damages
The only way to
manage celiac
disease is to
eliminate all foods
from your diet that
have gluten.
the small intestine. Sufferers experience
a wide range of uncomfortable
symptoms, but abdominal pain is
fairly common. Damage to the small
intestine ultimately interferes with
the body’s ability to make use of the
nutrients in food.
About 1% of the total population has
this painful disease—and as mentioned,
it is more
common in those
with type 1 diabetes.
In fact, it is estimated
that 10% of
people with type 1
diabetes also have
celiac.
The only way to
manage celiac disease
is to eliminate
all foods from your diet that have
gluten. Although to some people
the thought of giving up gluten may
sound worse than the disease itself,
there are countless recipes and options
for those wishing to lead a gluten
free life. Following a gluten-free
LINKS: www.celiac.org | www.diabetes.org
6 COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE DIGEST • JAN–MAR 2019 | WWW.CHDIGEST.COM
/www.celiac.org
/www.diabetes.org
/WWW.CHDIGEST.COM