I did a bunch of research over the weekend and found two new things. First, an article on children with celiac and their diet. Second, oral budesonide use for those with accidental gluten exposure. Let’s discuss.
Children with Celiac
The first article discusses children with celiac disease. The celiac children consumed a less nutritionally complete diet. The diet contained more fat and less fiber than those without celiac disease.
More specifically, the researchers looked at children who had celiac for more than two years. They evaluated a 3 day diary of food with two days during the week and one on the weekend, including pictures to assess portion size. The study reviewed energy spent by the children as well, including physical activity, sleep, and watching tv.
The discussion area of the study provides the most interesting information. Processed foods made up 46% of the celiac children’s diets. These foods played a major role in the imbalance in the diet. A gluten free diet will normalize BMI is challenged. The study showed that the same proportion of underweight, normal, and overweight children were in both celiac and healthy children populations.
The biggest take away for me in this study is that children on a gluten free diet are lacking in fiber and consume too many fats. That is a big deal. Fats contain 9 calories per gram compared to protein and carbohydrates at 4 calories per gram. I think many with celiac disease are always hungry and that extra 5 calories per gram of fat makes it easier to not constantly be eating. Especially kids, who are growing and moving more often than adults, they might need those extra calories.
Oral Budesonide and Inadvertent gluten exposure
This one is a little trickier, because I cannot get to the whole article. However, the summary lists some interesting information. Scientists looked at 13 women with inadvertent gluten exposure. The women started 9mg of budesonide for 3 to 27 days after exposure. All patients reported improvements in symptoms. Sixty-two percent of patients had substantial gastrointestinal symptom improvement.
I don’t have access to the whole article, so I’m a little hamstrung here. Budesonide is commonly used in Refractory Celiac. Here they are talking about using budesonide for a glutening episode like one would use Tylenol for a headache. It is interesting and might be something to discuss with your doctor.
Conculsion
I found these over the weekend and have been excited about sharing!