‘Gut health’ beyond the gluten-free diet in coeliac disease
Article

‘Gut health’ beyond the gluten-free diet in coeliac disease

Gastroenterology Dietitian Nick Trott looks at the other dietary and lifestyle factors that need consideration beyond a gluten-free diet. Make sure you've read the two pieces in the series on coeliac disease covering the role of the gut microbiome and potential of probiotics.
3 minutes
Reading: ‘Gut health’ beyond the gluten-free diet in coeliac disease 3 minutes

Along with the microbiome the term ‘gut health’ (although not codified in terms of a consensus scientific definition) has become a popular phrase with the lay public when discussing nutrition and gastrointestinal disease. (1,2) Patients for coeliac disease will often ask if there’s additional dietary approaches that may be of benefit to their health. Of course, maintenance of the gluten-free approach is the primary medical nutritional therapy, however research indicates the GFD results in lower intakes of dietary fibre and certain key micronutrients. (3,4)

Dietary education with regards to current nutritional guidelines and gut health for patients with coeliac disease require individualisation. General advice on gut health has focused around the evidence on maintaining and/or increasing microbial diversity. The evidence thus far centres around the components highlighted in Figure 2. (2,5–10)

Finally, when discussing lifestyle and dietary strategies beyond the GFD it is key to acknowledge individual contexts. Particularly as the GFD costs significantly more and can in some cases induce hypervigilance of the food environment. It is essential such advice should be delivered through an appropriate cultural lens, with reference to relevant social-economic factors and understanding of patients responses to their overall treatment burden. (11–18)

When discussing the general aspects of 'Gut Health’ in coeliac disease it is important to consider it within the context of treatment burden as well as specific social economic and cultural factors

 

If you haven't already, make sure you've read the two foundational pieces on coeliac disease covering the role of the gut microbiome and potential of probiotics.

 

References

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11. Rodriguez JC. J Am Diet Assoc 2010;110:S7.
12. Coeliac UK. The Guten Free Diet How Much Does it cost and Why Does it Matter? (2023).
13. Bauner C, et al. Appl Econ Lett 2022;1–5 doi:10.1080/13504851.2022.2139799.
14. Food Standards Agency. Estimating financial cost to individuals with a food hypersensitivity Executive summary. (2022).
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17. Gholmie Y, et al. Dig Dis Sci 2023 doi:10.1007/s10620-023-07912-6.
18. Wolf RL, et al. Dig Dis Sci 2018;63:1438–48.

Photo of the author Nick Trott

Nick obtained an honours degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Cardiff Metropolitan University. Since post graduate training, Nick has worked in a variety of clinical areas within the NHS including critical care, oncology and haematology.

Currently, Nick works as a Gastroenterology Dietitian, covering the Specialist Coeliac Clinic at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield. His areas of particular clinical interest include coeliac disease, gluten ataxia, non-coeliac wheat sensitivity and the Low FODMAP approach to Disorders of Gut Brain Interaction.

Nick is a member of Coeliac UK’s Health Advisory Board. In 2017 Nick attained a master’s degree in clinical research from the University of Sheffield and is currently pursuing a PhD on the role of the Dietitian in the management of Coeliac Disease.