Osteoporosis And Celiac Disease
Celiac disease, sometimes referred to as sprue or celiac sprue, is an inherited bowel disorder where the body cannot tolerate gluten. Gluten is a maize, rye, barley, farina, and bulgur material. When people with
celiac disease consume gluten-containing foods their immune systems respond by targeting and destroying the small intestine covering. The small intestine is responsible for the body's absorption of nutrients from food into the bloodstream. When the lining is damaged, its ability to absorb those nutrients is also damaged. Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become less dense and more susceptible to fracture. Osteoporosis
fractures can result in pain and incapacity. Over 53 million people in the United States either already have osteoporosis or are at high risk because of the low bone mass. Although postmenopausal white women are at the highest risk of disease, men and some ethnic populations are at risk as well. Osteoporosis is a symptom of
celiac disease and is not managed. The small intestine absorbs important nutrients, such as calcium. Calcium is important for the development and preservation of healthy bones. Yet individuals with
celiac disease who receive adequate calcium in this mineral still have a deficit. And because calcium is needed to maintain healthy bones, low bone density is common in both adults and children with untreated and newly diagnosed celiac disease.
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