Celiac disease and the athlete.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to highlight the importance of recognizing and managing celiac disease in athletes, emphasizing the role of a gluten-free diet in treatment and performance maintenance.
Results Summary
The study found that a gluten-free diet is crucial for managing celiac disease in athletes, preventing symptoms like anemia and osteoporosis, and ensuring optimal performance. It also stressed the need for multidisciplinary care to maintain dietary adherence.
Population
Athletes with celiac disease or those at risk of prolonged unexplained illnesses.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
celiac disease | neutral | a number of different symptoms | athletes | - | can present with | #1 |
celiac disease | decrease | iron absorption | athletes with celiac disease | - | often have problems with | #2 |
celiac disease | increase | anemia | athletes with celiac disease | - | leading to | #3 |
celiac disease | decrease | vitamin D and calcium absorption | athletes with celiac disease | - | often have problems with | #4 |
celiac disease | increase | osteoporosis and poor bone health | athletes with celiac disease | - | leading to | #5 |
disruption in their gluten-free diet | increase | a flare-up of symptoms | athletes with known and long-standing celiac disease | - | can lead to | #6 |
disruption in their gluten-free diet | decrease | a decrease in performance | athletes with known and long-standing celiac disease | - | can lead to | #7 |
With the diagnosis of celiac disease rising in the past decade and with increased public awareness, team physicians are faced with both managing and diagnosing athletes with celiac disease. Sports medicine physicians need to recognize that celiac disease can present with a number of different symptoms and, therefore, should consider celiac disease as part of their differential in evaluating athletes with prolonged unexplained illnesses. Sports medicine physicians must be familiar with the appropriate laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures used to establish the diagnosis of celiac disease. A multidisciplinary approach in helping the newly diagnosed athlete with celiac disease is important to the successful treatment of the disease. Athletes with celiac disease often have problems with iron absorption (leading to anemia) and/or vitamin D and calcium absorption (leading to osteoporosis and poor bone health). Even athletes with known and long-standing celiac disease need additional care and supervision in ensuring there is no disruption in their gluten-free diet, which can lead to a flare-up of symptoms or a decrease in performance.