Understanding The Link Between Celiac Disease & Diabetes

Celiac disease is a chronic immune disorder in which the immune system reacts to gluten and causes bowel inflammation and damage, thereby making your body intolerant to gluten products. 

As celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder, just like type 1 diabetes, they both are closely related. In fact, about 5 percent of people with type 1 diabetes have been found to have celiac disease. 

However, it does not mean that people with type 2 diabetes cannot have celiac disease. The difference is that in their case, the two conditions are not related. 

Relationship Between Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease

As celiac disease and type 1 diabetes are both autoimmune disorders, they share a similar genetic profile. Both disorders share many symptoms, such as abdominal gas, bloating, weight loss, etc., making it difficult to detect celiac disease. 

However, as many people with type 1 diabetes have celiac disease, you must make it a habit to screen yourself regularly for the condition.

If left untreated, celiac disease can cause irregular blood sugar levels in the body. It can also result in the malabsorption of nutrients and lead to hypoglycemia in the body. 

Know More About Celiac Disease

• Signs and Symptoms

Although the symptoms of celiac disease vary from person to person, some common signs and symptoms of the disease include diarrhoea, constipation, abnormal weight loss, flatulence, bloating, fatigue, nausea, anaemia, mouth ulcers and fluctuating blood sugar levels. 

• Diagnosis

If you show any signs of celiac disease, your doctor will prescribe you a blood test to find the levels of antibodies in your blood. If this result turns out positive, your doctor will then conduct a small bowel biopsy to confirm the condition. 

• Treatment

Celiac disease is not a food allergy that can be treated with medications. It is an autoimmune disorder that causes an intolerance to gluten. Therefore, the only treatment for celiac disease is eliminating gluten products from the diet altogether.

• Risks

If you do not cut gluten from your diet completely, you are at a higher risk of developing many other health conditions. Intestinal damage caused by gluten can lead to malabsorption of nutrients and elevate the risk of infertility, osteoporosis, cancer, etc. In addition, untreated celiac disease will also cause irregular blood glucose levels and make it difficult for you to manage your diabetes.

Fundamental Dietary Guidelines for People with Celiac Disease

• What To Eat?

You can eat naturally gluten-free foods, such as vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, cheese, milk, potatoes, eggs, lentils and pulses. You can also eat processed foods with no-gluten labels or foods prepared with gluten-free substitutes, such as gluten-free bread.

• What Not To Eat?

Gluten is a type of protein found in grains, such as wheat, rye, barley and oats. Therefore, you must avoid any product derived from these grains.  

Remember, even a small amount of gluten can damage your bowel wall. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all traces of gluten from your diet. You should not eat any product prepared or cooked along with gluten-rich foods. Also, avoid naturally gluten-free products like gram or urad flour prepared in the same factory as wheat, barley, or rye, as they may contain traces of gluten. 

How To Manage Celiac Disease with Diabetes?

If you have both celiac disease and diabetes, you should eat foods that:

• contain gluten-free carbohydrates
• have a low glycemic index
• contain low levels of saturated fat
• are loaded with dietary fibres, and
• are rich in calcium and iron

It is also recommended to consult a dietitian while managing both celiac disease and diabetes as they can help design a healthier eating plan for you. 

The Final Takeaway

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes intolerance to gluten. If left untreated, it can cause irregular blood glucose levels and disrupt diabetes management. Therefore, managing celiac disease is extremely important.  

The only way to treat celiac disease is by eliminating gluten completely from your diet. Nowadays, there are many gluten-free options available in the market, making it much easier for people with celiac disease to manage the condition. 

References

• https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/managing-other-medical-conditions/coeliac-disease-diabetes
• https://gluten.org/2019/10/17/diabetes-and-celiac-disease/
• https://www.ndss.com.au/about-diabetes/resources/find-a-resource/coeliac-disease-fact-sheet/
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326199
• https://www.beyondceliac.org/celiac-disease/related-conditions/type-1-diabetes/
• https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes-and-gluten
• https://www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/coeliac-disease/conditions-linked-to-coeliac-disease/type-1-diabetes/
• https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/related-conditions/diabetes-and-celiac-disease/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4156157/