Celiac disease causes the body to be unable to process gluten. In people suffering from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity enteropathy, the body mistakenly attacks the villi lining the small intestine upon the ingestion of foods containing gluten. The villi are tiny hair-like projections that line the small intestine and are responsible for the ingestion of nutrients into the bloodstream. When the body mistakenly attacks the villi in response to gluten ingestion, the amount of nutrients absorbed into the body is drastically reduced. This results in an unhealthy condition.

The only course of treatment available to individuals with celiac disease is to avoid ingesting foods containing gluten. Over a period of time, the small intestine and the villi will heal, and the painful and uncomfortable symptoms of celiac disease should cease to be present. The person suffering form celiac disease will, however, need to remain gluten free for the rest of their life in order to avoid a resurgence of symptoms.

When removing foods from your diet because of gluten content, it is essential that you replace those foods with highly nutritious non-gluten foods. Certain vitamins can also be effective in supporting a non-gluten eating regimen.

Vitamins like C and D can be important to supporting a gluten-free diet. The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin D, in conjunction with about 750 mg. of calcium daily should help offset the loss of any important bone strengthening nutrients. Vitamin C is taken as an antihistamine, in this case. Since people with celiac disease have a lower absorption rate of nutrients into their bodies, they have a weaker immune system and are more susceptible to allergies. To help avoid allergies, it is important to introduce Vitamin C into the diet as a natural antihistamine. About 2000 mg. of Vitamin C daily, taken in half proportions in the morning and evening, should be enough.

It is important to manage your gluten-free diet effectively if you suffer from celiac disease. Know what vitamins and minerals are helpful to fight your condition and introduce them into your diet as supplements or naturally, through specific foods. Avoiding gluten and taking proper care of your body’s vitamin and mineral needs will get you back to better health.