The link between coeliac disease and osteoporosis

With an impact on both your gut and your bones, coeliac disease is pretty common as it affects one in 100 people, although only 36% of people with the condition have been diagnosed.¹ And osteoporosis is estimated to affect over 200 million people globally, but did you know that there’s a link between the two?² We explore why they’re connected and how to manage them both, below.

Skip to: 

• Coeliac disease
• Gluten intolerance vs. wheat allergy vs. coeliac disease
• Osteoporosis
• Causes of osteoporosis
• The link between osteoporosis and coeliac disease
• Prevention tips
• Management advice

What is coeliac disease?

Coeliac disease is a chronic condition which causes your immune system to attack your own tissues after eating gluten.3 Gluten is dietary protein that’s naturally found in grains like wheat, barley and rye – which are common ingredients in many breads, pastas and baked goods.⁴

This adverse reaction can cause a range of gut-related symptoms like diarrhoea, stomachache, bloating, wind, indigestion and constipation.⁵

But it can also cause some other symptoms too, including fatigue, unexpected weight loss, itchy rashes, tingling and numbness in your hands and feet, co-ordination difficulties, and swelling.⁵

A wheat allergy is similar to coeliac disease in that it causes an adverse immune reaction. However, wheat allergies occur when your immune system creates IgE antibodies to the proteins found in wheat.⁷ The symptoms of this food allergy usually appear within minutes of consuming wheat, causing hives, redness of the skin, vomiting and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.⁸

What is osteoporosis?

Now you have the lowdown on coeliac disease, what is osteoporosis? The NHS describes osteoporosis as a health condition that weakens bones, causing them to become fragile and more likely to break.⁹ However, it’s not sudden and usually develops over a longer period of time, often only being diagnosed once a bone has broken.⁹

Handpicked content: Why Do Our Joints Click?

What causes osteoporosis?

The cause of osteoporosis differs between men and women. In fact, women are more at risk of the condition than men; it is the hormone changes that take place during menopause that impact bone density and may lead to osteoporosis.¹⁰

The cause of osteoporosis for men is not exactly known. Although, there does appear to be a link between osteoporosis and low levels of testosterone.¹⁰

Handpicked content: What Are The Different Types Of Arthritis?

What’s the link between coeliac and osteoporosis?

So, what’s the link between the two? Interestingly, osteoporosis is actually a complication of untreated coeliac disease.¹¹ This is likely because people with coeliac disease are often deficient in calcium, as the condition makes it harder for your body to absorb it – regardless of how much you consume.¹¹

Handpicked content: Arthritis Isn’t Just An “Old” Person’s Disease: Here's What You Need To Know

Handpicked content: Joint Pain: What You Need To Know

How to manage symptoms

Two of the most important areas to focus on are your diet and your exercise regime. We’ll explore them both in a little more detail below…

Best coeliac and osteoporosis diet

It may not come as a surprise to you that your diet is crucial in managing coeliac disease and osteoporosis. And, since gluten is the main issue, sticking to a strict gluten-free diet should be your first port of call. Additionally, try to make sure you’re hitting 1500mg of calcium everyday through your diet, or use supplements to help you get there.¹³ Some key foods good for osteoporosis includes things like cow’s milk, plant-based milk, cheese, yoghurt, tofu, edamame beans, canned sardines, salmon, almonds and leafy greens in your diet.¹⁴

Best coeliac and osteoporosis exercises

Much like muscles, bones respond to exercise by becoming stronger. In particular, weight-bearing exercises and resistance training are best. Weight-bearing workouts force your body to work against gravity, so this includes things like dancing, walking, climbing stairs and jogging.¹¹

Resistance training, like lifting weights, also helps to strengthen bones by increasing their density.¹⁷ Interestingly, one study from 2018 found that the greatest skeletal benefits of resistance exercise were achieved when the resistance gradually increased and the size of the load was high.¹⁸

Handpicked content: Is working from home causing you back pain?

The final say

While osteoporosis and coeliac disease are two separate conditions, the two are connected due to the link with calcium. So, we hope you’re feeling a little more clued up on each condition and what you can do to help manage them after reading this article. Interested in this topic? Find out more about your Bone, Joint & Muscle Health on the Health Hub.