Update on nutritional aspects of gluten-free diet in celiac patients

Abstract

A strict gluten - free diet is the only currently available therapeutic treatment for patients with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine associated with a permanent intolerance to gluten proteins. In recent years, the dramatically prompted changes in the dietary habit of an increasingly large population (celiac disease, non - celiac gluten sensitivit y and gluten allergy) has resulted in rising demands for gluten - free products. Before starting gluten - free diet, alteration in intestinal absorption capacity of celiac patients involves deficiencies of nutrients, vitamins and dietary minerals. The habitual poor gluten - free food choices in addition to inherent deficiencies in the gluten - free diet of diagnosed celiac patients may relate with dietary inadequacies. Therefore dietary assessment and counseling at the time of celiac disease diagnosis and ongoing c are are crucial as well as fortification of gluten - free foods also need to be considered. This article reviews the nutritional aspects of gluten - free diet in celiac patients and provides an up - date of dietetic recommendations to correct these deficiencies and to ensure optimum gluten - free diet compliance.