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Vitamins & Supplements on a Gluten-Free Diet

May 17, 2011

Vitamins & Supplements on a Gluten-Free Diet

May 17, 2011

Question:

What supplements should I be taking? Do you recommend a good multi-vitamin for celiac patients?

From,

Nicol and Jessica

Answer:

Hi Nicol and Jessica. Thank you for your questions regarding supplements for celiac patients.

First and foremost, food should be the primary source for your vitamin, mineral and antioxidant needs. My first recommendation to you both is to make sure you are consuming a well balanced gluten-free diet emphasizing fruits and vegetables, whole gluten-free grains, beans, legumes, nuts, eggs, low fat dairy products and lean meats and seafood, unless you are following a vegetarian diet.

Still, despite the best intentions, even a well-balanced diet can still fall short on certain nutrients. Some research studies have found deficiencies of iron, B6, B12, folate, and calcium in individuals, in particular females and adolescents, who have been following a gluten-free diet. The authors’ of one of these studies recommend persons with celiac disease consider the use of gluten-free calcium and multivitamin and mineral supplements.

As far as choosing any supplement goes, one thing I recommend is to look for products that are manufactured according to good manufacturing practices (GMP). GMP provide a system of processes, procedures, and documentation to assure the product produced has the identity, strength, composition, quality, and purity that it says it has. One resource for a list of gluten-free supplements is www.glutenfreedrugs.com. Nature Made is one example of a company that manufacturers gluten-free supplements according to GMP.

In good health,

EA Stewart, MBA, RD

References:

Case, S. (2008) Gluten-free diet: a comprehensive resource guide. Saskatchewan, Canada: Case Nutrition Consulting, Inc.


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