Here at the CeliAct Blog, we often discuss the many ways that celiac disease can affect the body. Celiac disease doesn’t just cause weight loss or gain, diarrhea, bloating and fatigue. It is linked to a variety of diseases and conditions, some of which can be life-threatening.

The good news?

A 100% gluten-free diet will do wonders. Add nutritional support through supplementation, and you’ll be on the road to healing the intestinal damage from celiac disease while dramatically reducing your risk of developing many of the diseases associated with untreated celiac disease.

Here are the top 8 diseases related to celiac disease. If you have celiac, a gluten-free diet will dramatically reduce your risk of all of them. However, for those of you looking to treat celiac disease beyond the gluten-free diet, here is some additional guidance for reducing your risk of developing these diseases.

1. Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) – This is a skin manifestation of celiac disease that results in itchy blistery rashes. The most common sites for this rash are the elbows, knees and buttocks. People with this condition may or may not have digestive celiac symptoms. It can be resolved through a gluten-free diet, the strict use of gluten-free body care products, and specific antibiotics.


2. Osteoporosis – In untreated celiac disease, excess fat is lost in one’s bowel movements. This fat interferes with Vitamin D and calcium absorption, which in turn causes softening of the bones (osteomalacia) and bone density loss (osteoporosis). Make sure you’re getting plenty of calcium, vitamin D and magnesium through your diet or through supplementation. Adding a regimen of weight-bearing exercise will help as well.


3. Iron Deficiency Anemia – Caused by malabsorption, this is a common condition that results from celiac disease and can be addressed through improved nutrient absorption via intestinal healing. The gluten-free diet is paramount, but supplementation with things like zinc, glutamine and citrus bioflavonoids initiates and increases the speed at which your gut heals. Short-term iron supplementation may be necessary as well. Consume vitamin C-containing foods with iron-rich foods in order to improve iron absorption.


4. Depression and Anxiety – The cause of these conditions is not known but may be associated with malnutrition resulting from malabsorption, as well as neurological impacts of untreated celiac disease. Omega 3 fatty acids, B-complex vitamins, exercise and a balanced diet can help. There are also some new theories, and as times goes on, hopefully we’ll continue to see progress on this topic. It sure is a serious one.


5. Infertility and Recurring Miscarriage – Malabsorption of key nutrients contributes to these challenges. Fertility may be affected in men as well as women. Nutritional imbalances must be corrected, including malabsorption of zinc, selenium, iron, and folate. Supplementing with these nutrients may be necessary while the gut’s absorptive abilities are slowly improved through a gluten-free diet.


6. Lactose Intolerance – The inability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk products, is very common in celiacs due to intestinal damage. After a while on a gluten-free diet you may be able to digest it again. Anyone with lactose intolerance will benefit from probiotic supplementation, and some may be able to digest lower-lactose foods such as yogurt and hard cheeses in moderation.


7. Intestinal Cancer – Intestinal lymphoma and bowel cancer are the biggest risks for celiacs, and are most effectively addressed through gluten-free diet compliance. However, eating a diet based around fruits, vegetables and whole grains and containing minimal red meat may help reduce your risk factors. Needless to say, maintaining a healthy lifestyle complete with exercise and stress-reduction helps as well.


8. Neurological Disorders – From migraines to numbness, celiac patients report all types of neurological disturbance. These are best aided by diet compliance but can also be aided in some cases by vitamin B12 supplementation and prescription medications where necessary.

The number one goal for reducing one’s risk of any of these diseases is total compliance with the gluten-free diet. The second goal is to help the gut gradually heal and restore its ability to absorb nutrients, which can be attained via a balanced diet, probiotics, and supplements designed to help you meet your nutrient needs while you heal.