Let's talk about Celiac Disease and vitamins. Before my diagnosis I had been taking vitamin supplements in the form of a multi-vitamin, as well as extra vitamin C, Calcium and Folic Acid. When I was still in the early stages of learning about this disease that I have and how to live a completely gluten free life I began reviewing the ingredients in pretty much everything I used in the house. At first it was only my food, but then I realized that many household items contain gluten, including soap, shampoo, face moisturizer, make up, toothpaste, lotion, etc. I went through all of these products and dumped out a lot of the items I'd used for years. I never even thought about checking my vitamin supplements! A few months later I read an article online about hidden gluten in vitamins!! Wow, was I surprised! I looked at the ingredients on all of my supplement bottles and every one of them contained gluten! So, like all of the other products I could no longer safely use - these, too, went into the garbage.
Because of the damage caused by gluten to a Celiac's intestines, we are not able to properly absorb all of the nutrients we need. This causes vitamin deficiencies. Newly diagnosed Celiacs are prone to more serious deficiencies because they are just beginning to live gluten free and their intestines still need to heal. I have been gluten free for just over a year and while my body is still in the healing process (I believe I lived with undiagnosed Celiac Disease for close to 35 or 36 years before finally learning I have this in January, 2014), I've been living gluten free long enough that some healing has occurred and hopefully, that means that I can now begin to absorb the nutrients my body so desperately needs. Sometimes with all of the things I've been learning in the past year about products containing gluten it can get very overwhelming. While I've known that I need to be taking supplements, I just didn't have the energy (another sign of lack of nutrients?!) to delve into this area. Which was self-defeating, I realize. I now regret that very much. Having been sick and run down lately, I decided that I have to do something.
Common nutrient deficiencies seen in people with celiac disease include vitamin A, D, E, K, calcium, magnesium, vitamin b12, vitamin D, iron, and folic acid among others according to many online sources, including http://celiac-disease.com/nutrient-deficiencies-and-celiac-disease/ , http://www.medicinenet.com/celiac_disease_gluten_free_diet/page4.htm and http://celiac.org/live-gluten-free/glutenfreediet/vitamins-and-supplements/. Each of these links will take you to some vital information about Celiac Disease an vitamin deficiencies.
Okay, I will admit that I haven't yet been tested to see what my deficiencies are. This is something that is very critical to do and I need to get on it. In the meantime, I am taking matters into my own hands, as with everything else I have done since diagnosis and going gluten free. Don't worry, I will follow my own advice. I know that testing is a very important part of monitoring levels and getting healthier. I got another eye-opener tonight as I shopped for vitamin supplements to get started on. Bottle after bottle after bottle that I picked up and reviewed the ingredients showed "Contains Wheat". UGH!!!!!!! I FINALLY, after reviewing about 10 different multi-vitamin bottles, found a gluten free multi-vitamin gummy with natural fruit juices. Score!!! I know in the past I've have issues with anemia, so I also grabbed a bottle of iron supplements. Thanks to a couple of co-workers I have learned of a place I can go in Sioux City that will test for any nutrient deficiencies I may have. I need to make an appointment soon to get this done so that I can continue to be proactive in my quest for better health.
My lesson tonight is in the importance, not only of getting the nutrients my body is sorely lacking in, but also in reading ALL ingredients in ALL products I plan to use before purchasing them. Yes, this takes a considerable amount of extra time over what a normal shopping trip would take. But, it is worth it. Of course, another option is to do the research up front before you even step outside your home to go to the store. There are so many resources available online for this information. The links I included in this post are some very good places to look and they can lead you to other information to help you find out about specific brands and what to look for. Here's to a healthier tomorrow!
Watch for my next blog post about gluten in make up and beauty products.
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