Research published in the January 16 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism says that the risk of bone fracture in patients with celiac disease is lower in those who adapt to a gluten-free diet.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects about one percent of Americans. People with celiac disease have an immune response in the small intestine when they eat gluten. The damage to the intestines can heighten the risk of hip fractures in those with the disease, according to WebMD.
According to Medical Xpress, the study took tissue samples from 7,146 Swedish people who were diagnosed with celiac disease and then had another sample taken five years after the diagnosis.
"We believe that giving the mucous membrane—the moist tissue lining the small intestine—a chance to heal can lower the risk of complications, including bone fractures, in celiac patients," said one of the study's authors, Jonas F. Ludvigsson. "Our research confirmed that patients had a higher rate of hip fractures when tissue damage persisted over time. Sticking to a gluten-free diet is crucial for minimizing tissue damage and reducing the risk of a serious fracture that could cause other complications.
The findings have proven that taking biopsies and changing your diet can be useful in predicting what may be down the road for those with celiac disease.