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Celiac.com 02/03/2025 - Bone health is a significant concern for individuals with celiac disease, a condition that extends beyond the digestive system to affect the entire body. This study sheds light on how celiac disease impacts bone mineral density, body composition, and levels of key nutrients like vitamin D and calcium. By comparing women with celiac disease to healthy individuals, researchers provide insights into the broader implications of the disease on skeletal and overall health. Key Focus: Bone Mineral Density in Celiac Disease Bone mineral density refers to the strength and density of bones, which are vital for preventing conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis. These conditions weaken bones, making them more prone to fractures. In this study, researchers used a specialized imaging technique called dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure bone density at two critical sites: the lumbar spine and the femoral neck. Women with celiac disease demonstrated significantly lower bone mineral density than their healthy counterparts. Specifically, over one-third of participants with celiac disease had osteopenia in the lumbar spine, while 13% had osteoporosis. The femoral neck, however, showed lower rates of osteoporosis but still indicated a decline in bone health. Despite these findings, none of the women in the study reported a history of fractures, suggesting that bone fragility may develop silently over time. Body Composition Differences Celiac disease also affects body composition, which includes body mass, fat tissue, muscle mass, and fat-free mass. Women with celiac disease in this study had lower body mass and body mass index than healthy participants. Additionally, their levels of fat and muscle tissue were reduced, potentially reflecting long-term nutritional deficiencies and malabsorption issues commonly associated with the disease. These findings align with the nature of celiac disease as a condition that disrupts nutrient absorption in the intestines. While some individuals with newly diagnosed celiac disease may present with normal or elevated body mass, many still experience undernutrition and its associated consequences. The Role of Vitamin D and Calcium Vitamin D and calcium are critical for maintaining bone health. The study highlighted significant differences between the groups in how these nutrients were managed. Women with celiac disease were more likely to take vitamin D and calcium supplements than healthy individuals. As a result, their blood levels of vitamin D were higher, though no significant differences were observed in ionized calcium levels between the groups. Despite the higher supplementation rates, the prevalence of low bone density remained higher among participants with celiac disease. This suggests that while supplementation helps improve nutrient levels in the blood, it may not fully address the bone health challenges associated with the disease. Insights into Bone Health Screening and Management The study underscores the importance of early screening and monitoring of bone health in individuals with celiac disease. Bone mineral density assessments using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry can identify early signs of osteopenia or osteoporosis, even in patients without symptoms. Additionally, the findings suggest that simply taking supplements may not be enough to counteract the effects of long-term nutrient deficiencies caused by celiac disease. A comprehensive approach, including a strict gluten-free diet to reduce inflammation, physical activity to strengthen bones, and potentially tailored medical treatments, could provide better outcomes. Why This Matters for People with Celiac Disease Celiac disease is more than a condition requiring dietary changes; it has wide-reaching effects on overall health, including bone strength. This study highlights the need for increased awareness of these issues among patients and healthcare providers. For individuals with celiac disease, understanding the risks to bone health can encourage proactive steps, such as regular bone density scans, diligent vitamin D and calcium supplementation, and adherence to a gluten-free diet to improve nutrient absorption. These measures can help prevent serious complications like osteoporosis and ensure better long-term health. This research provides valuable evidence that celiac disease’s impact extends far beyond the gut. By addressing these systemic challenges, those living with celiac disease can lead healthier and more resilient lives. Read more at: termedia.pl Watch the video version of this article:

Celiac.com 05/03/2021 - Some research data suggests that a vegan diet may be associated with impaired bone health. To get an idea of the potential impact of a vegan diet on bone mass, a team of researchers recently set out to investigate the associations of veganism with calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements, along with the investigation of differences in the concentrations of nutrition- and bone-related biomarkers between vegans and omnivores. Scientific evidence suggests that a vegan diet might be associated with impaired bone health. The team used a cross-sectional study of 36 vegans, and 36 omnivores to assess the associations between a vegan diet and calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements, along with comparing concentrations of nutrition- and bone-related biomarkers between vegans and omnivores. The data showed lower QUS parameters in vegans compared to omnivores. For example, broadband ultrasound attenuation shows a low QUS parameter of 111.8 ± 10.7 dB/MHz for vegans, compared with 118.0 ± 10.8 dB/MHz for omnivores. Compared with omnivores, vegans had lower levels of vitamin A, B2, lysine, zinc, selenoprotein P, n-3 fatty acids, urinary iodine, and calcium, but higher concentrations of vitamin K1, folate, and glutamine. Applying a reduced rank regression, the team found 12 out of the 28 biomarkers that contribute most to bone health, including lysine, urinary iodine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, selenoprotein P, vitamin A, leucine, α-klotho, n-3 fatty acids, urinary calcium/magnesium, vitamin B6, and FGF23. They found that all QUS parameters rose across the tertiles of the pattern score. The study offers evidence of reduced bone health in vegans compared to omnivores, in addition to highlighting a combination of nutrition-related biomarkers, which may reduce bone health. The team calls for additional studies to confirm these findings. Since a number of studies have shown celiacs to be at greater risk for reduced bone health, especially bone density, bone health is a major concern for people with celiac disease. Learning more about the role of diet in improving bone health will benefit celiacs and non-celiacs alike. Read more in Nutrients 2021, 13(2), 685. The research team included Juliane Menzel, Klaus Abraham,Gabriele I. Stangl, Per Magne Ueland, Rima Obeid, Matthias B. Schulze, Isabelle Herter-Aeberli, Tanja Schwerdtle, and Cornelia Weikert. They are variously affiliated with the Department of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Berlin, Germany; the Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin in Berlin, Germany; the Institute for Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany; the Section for Pharmacology, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen in Bergen, Norway; the Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany; the Department of Molecular Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam–Rehbruecke, Nuthetal, Germany; the Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany; the Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland; the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany; and the Department of Food Chemistry, Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam in Nuthetal, Germany.

Celiac.com 10/28/2019 - Among other things, a recent study on nutrition and bone health in adults with probable undiagnosed, untreated celiac disease drives home the importance of early diagnosis and quick adoption of a gluten-free diet. The importance can be seen in the findings of a research team that recently looked at variations in nutritional intake of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus; their levels in the blood; and bone health in adults with and without likely, undiagnosed celiac disease. The research team included Lara H. Sattgast, Sina Gallo, Cara L. Frankenfeld, Alanna J. Moshfegh, and Margaret Slavin. They are variously affiliated with the Department of Nutrition & Food Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA; the Department of Global & Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA; and the Food Survey celiac diseases Research Group, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, USA. The team analyzed data from 48 adults with likely undiagnosed celiac disease and positive immunoglobulin A endomysial antibody tests, and 13,634 controls. The data came from What We Eat in America and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009–2014, and included self-reported information on dietary and supplement intake from a single day of 24-hour recalls, serologic indicators, and dual x-ray absorptiometry images. The team's statistical analysis included multiple linear regression modeling controlled for age, sex, race/ethnicity, energy intake, and poverty income ratio. Rates of likely undiagnosed celiac disease were 1 in 285. Patients with likely celiac disease showed an average 251.6 mg higher daily total calcium intake, higher dairy consumption by 0.7 cups per day, and higher serum phosphorus levels. Probable celiac patients showed a substantially higher total dietary and supplement intake measured in calcium density and phosphorus density. The researchers saw no differences in serum calcium, vitamin D, or alkaline phosphatase levels between the groups. Patients with likely celiac disease were associated with lower femur bone mineral density (BMD) and a lower femoral neck BMD, but showed no difference in total spine BMD. This is one of the first studies to examine variations in nutritional intake of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus; their levels in the blood; and bone health in adults with and without likely, undiagnosed celiac disease. Adults with probable undiagnosed celiac disease had lower bone density than those without celiac disease, even though they reported higher calcium intake and nutritional density of calcium and phosphorus. Among other things, the variations in BMD in this study demonstrate the importance of early diagnosis and the rapid adoption of a gluten-free diet for patients with undiagnosed celiac disease. Read more in the J Am Coll Nutr. 2019 Jul 19:1-10.