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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What happens if someone with coeliac disease accidentally consumes gluten?

    I have coeliac disease and make every effort to follow a strict gluten-free diet. However, if it is accidentally consumed, what happens? What do I do?
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    Julie Markoska

    Dietitian, Nutritionist

    I am a Sydney based Accredited Nutritionist and Accredited Practising Dietitian recognised by the Dietitians Association of Australia.I have a Bachelor of Science majoring in … View Profile

    Even occasional consumption of small amounts of gluten can lead to symptoms and damage to the small bowel. However, the small bowel does recover, so accidental consumption on the rare occasion is nothing to worry about if you usually follow a strict gluten free diet.

    However, please note that even though your small bowel will recover you should still do your best to eat strictly gluten free. That's because there are very serious long term health consequence if you have been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease and you do not follow a gluten free diet. Ingesting gluten will damage the lining of the small bowel and affect the absorption of nutrients. Over time, this can have serious consequences such as:

    • Malnutrition
    • Lack of proper development & behavioural problems in children
    • Osteoporosis
    • Miscarriage
    • Infertility
    • Cancer of the small bowel (Lymphoma)

    Julie Markoska
    Accredited Practising Dietitian & Nutritionist
    http://www.juliemarkoska.com.au/

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