Celiac Disease and Physical Activity

Due to the large variety in symptoms often found with a Celiac Disease diagnosis, each individual will suffer from Celiac Disease differently. Symptoms may include neurological symptoms, physical symptoms and overall feelings of fatigue or depression. As a result, each individual with Celiac Disease must find their own individual balanced lifestyle.

Balanced lifestyles are especially important for older adults with Celiac Disease because, as anyone diagnosed with a disease knows, they must maintain their physical wellbeing in order to heal. Older adults with Celiac Disease are also at risk of gaining weight after starting a gluten-free diet because their bodies absorb nutrients so much more efficiently than before, and because many gluten-free breads and desert substitutes may be higher in calories than their gluten-containing counterparts.

In their recent post covering Celiac Disease and Physical Activity, Celiac.com wrote about recent research in this area.  Research about the attitudes of older adults with celiac disease toward physical activity will help to understand:

• The general attitudes of older adults with celiac disease toward physical activity;
• The symptoms of celiac disease that directly or indirectly affect older adults’ attitudes toward physical activity;
• How physicians, recreation centres, celiac associations and the Canadian Government can work with people with celiac disease to maintain or increase their levels of physical activity, and;
• Provide literature on nutrient deficiency and physical activity to patients in need of information or reassurance about their attitudes toward physical activity.

This is definitely something to think about.  To our readers with Celiac Disease, what do you do to stay in shape?   Let us know in the comments!