Sjögren’s and Celiac: Malnutrition Risks and How to Prevent Them

Sjögren’s and Celiac: Malnutrition Risks and How to Prevent Them

Did you know that if you suffer from Sjögren’s syndrome, you’re more likely to develop celiac disease as well? It’s true – researchers have found a significant relationship between these two autoimmune disorders.

In fact, one study found that as many as 15 percent of Sjögren’s patients also have celiac disease, although diagnosing it can be problematic since Sjögren’s patients also may suffer from other gastrointestinal disorders. According to the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation’s CEO, Steven Taylor, “Sjögren’s is a systemic disease, affecting the entire body including the digestive tract. The disease affects the moisture producing glands in a person’s body and thus can affect every body organ or system. It is important for patients to talk to their physicians about all their symptoms so that they can be properly managed and monitored as well as to tested for additional autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease.”  

In celiac disease, the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged as a result of reaction with gluten, which is found in wheat, rye and barley. As a result, the intestine isn’t able to absorb critical nutrients, causing nutritional deficiencies that can have an additional impact on health. In fact, in a recent study of Sjogren’s and celiac disease, researchers found that patients with Sjögren’s are 10 times more likely than the general population to have celiac disease and recommended “screening, follow-up and regular gastrointestinal care” of Sjögren’s patients to help them avoid malnutrition and possible intestinal cancers. Nutritional supplements can be used to compensate for deficiencies due to malabsorption and to increase bioavailability of nutrients during digestion, but care must be taken to use products specifically developed for patients with celiac to avoid possible cross-contamination with gluten-containing products during manufacturing. The solution: Buy only products developed for those with celiac disease. Gluten Free Therapeutics’ CeliVites was developed specifically for people with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten intolerance to reduce the risks of malnutrition, including patients with concomitant autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome.

“Those with Sjogren’s should be aware of the risk of developing concurrent autoimmune conditions such as celiac disease which, when diagnosed, will require nutritional support. We have a great deal of respect for the Sjogrens foundation,” says Gluten Free Therapeutics President Leigh Reynolds. “It’s our pleasure to support Sjögren’s patients with celiac disease.” Visit Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation for more information.

CeliVites offers a range of supplements designed to boost nutritional health and support the healing process while avoiding potential gluten contamination risks so celiac patients can live healthy, gluten-free lives without the risk of malnutrition.

To learn more about the science behind CeliVites and see the complete range of nutritional supplement products, visit Gluten Free Therapeutics.

This original article is made possible by Gluten Free Therapeutics. Our mission is to educate, inform, and provide the most effective nutritional products possible to allow those with celiac disease and serious gluten intolerances to heal their bodies. CeliVites complete line of superior gluten free supplements includes multivitamin/multimineral supplements, iron supplements, and calcium supplements for people living with celiac disease. All CeliVites products are designed to help you heal, restore and rebuild your body, because going gluten free isn’t enough!