Diabetes and Celiac Disease Relationship

Diabetes and Celiac Disease Relationship

Diabetes is an autoimmune disorder. There are approximately 12 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the United States. One in 20 people with type 1 diabetes have Celiac disease. One in 250 people with any type of diabetes have celiac disease. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children and young adults. It’s more common in Caucasian Americans. It is insulin dependent diabetes. The body makes no insulin. Type 2 diabetes usually happens later in life. It is more common in African Americans, Hispanic people and Asian Americans. The body either does not make enough insulin or it does not use the insulin that it is making correctly.

Research indicates that one autoimmune disease increases the risk of getting another. People with celiac disease have a higher risk than the general population of getting another autoimmune disorder. Therefore, they are at higher risk for developing diabetes. Diabetics are also at a greater risk for developing celiac disease. Some research indicates that treating celiac disease with a gluten free diet will help prevent diabetes.

Many people on a gluten free diet are experiencing a significant decrease in blood sugar. Those with both diseases need to be prepared for a drop in blood sugar. They must make sure to have healthy gluten free snacks available that contain protein. This is especially important when traveling by car or public transportation and when attending an event with a pre-planned menu. Often times, gluten free healthy foods are not available or there may be a risk of cross-contamination.