17/07/2026
Did you know coeliac disease can affect your bone health?
When someone with undiagnosed coeliac disease eats gluten, it triggers inflammation that damages the tiny, finger-like villi in the small intestine. These villi are essential for absorbing key bone-building nutrients like calcium and vitamin D.
Without enough of these nutrients, the body may begin "borrowing" calcium from the bones to maintain healthy blood calcium levels. Over time, this can weaken bones.
For wāhine, the risk is even greater. If coeliac disease goes undiagnosed for years, this ongoing calcium loss—combined with the natural decline in bone-protecting estrogen during menopause- can significantly increase the risk of early-onset osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Early diagnosis and a strict gluten-free diet can help protect not only your gut but also your long-term bone health.
If you have ongoing digestive symptoms, unexplained fatigue, iron deficiency, or a family history of coeliac disease, talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested.
Read the full article and share this article for Women's Health Week.
https://coeliac.org.nz/strong-to-the-bone-why-bone-health-is-the-ultimate-self-care-for-coeliac-wahine/