Ep 224 Iron Deficiency and Celiac Disease
Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –
Iron deficiency or anemia is more complicated that I realized. The Canadian Celiac Association recently presented a webinar on celiac disease and iron deficiency. Dr. Frances Scully gave us information on the treatment of iron deficiency, along with other medical and scientific information. Nicole Byrom, Registered Dietitian with the CCA spoke about how iron deficiency related to celiac disease and its symptoms, as well as changes we can make to our diets to increase our iron intake. We also heard from Malorie Otton, who was diagnosed as a young adult with iron deficiency, that led to other complications and was her main symptom prior to her celiac diagnosis. Nicole and Malorie join me on the podcast to explore more about iron deficiency and celiac disease.
You can watch the webinar at the following link –
Sue’s Websites and Social Media –
Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com
Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com
Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com
Celiac Kid Stuff – https://www.celiackidstuff.com
Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com
Instagram – @suesgfbaking
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL
Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com
Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com
My Thoughts –
Looking at iron deficiency on its own is something I had not done before. I remember vividly when, at a CCA conference years ago we were treated to an animated account of someone’s life before diagnosis. She described curling up under her desk at work for a quick nap, and wondered how her co-workers were able to make it through the day without dozing off. It was a very funny presentation, and by the audience reactions, her symptoms were shared by many.
We would like to think that the gluten free diet will magically reverse all our symptoms. Over time, for the most part, our symptoms either clear up, or we learn to live with them reduced and more manageable. Iron deficiency, or anemia is different. Once we are established on the gluten free diet, we can still be susceptible to low iron.
Most people don’t have to make a conscience effort to get enough iron, but we do. Yes, after our gut heals, we will absorb more of the iron we ingest, but that still might not be enough. The idea of fortification of our flours could play a big part in our overall health. We think we are doing everything right, but unless we are more aware of our proper nutrition, particularly as we get older, and maybe less active, we will have health issues associated with celiac disease, but not caused by celiac disease.
I’ve been on many diets in my life, mostly for weight loss. I became very adept at counting calories. At this point in my life, I see the need to also count iron and fibre. It would be nice to think we didn’t have to, but the reality is, our nutrition should be more on our radar. Thanks, Nicole for helping us get a handle on this. Gluten free is our medicine, nutrition is our health.