Women and Celiac Disease

I read a fascinating statistic about celiac disease the other day.  Did you know that celiac disease affects twice as many women as it does men?  This statistic becomes even more upsetting when you consider that according to the Association of Family History of Autoimmune Diseases and Autism Spectrum Disorders, children who are born from mothers with celiac disease are 3 times more likely to have autism. This statistic is only true if the mother is not following a gluten-free diet.  In fact, the Association of Family History of Autoimmune Diseases and Autism Spectrum Disorders recommends that any woman who has any auto-immune disorder (diabetes, thyroid disease, etc.) should take themselves off of gluten and cow’s milk.

I’m not sure that is the best advice, however.  Admittedly I am not a doctor but it is clear that the gluten-free diet lacks some important nutritional components (see my blog entitled: The G-Free Diet).  I do however think it is advisable for women with auto-immune disorders to get tested for celiac disease especially before they get pregnant.

It is not surprising that celiac disease seems to target women.  Women have heightened immune systems making them more susceptible to autoimmune diseases.  In fact, according to the Society for Women’s Health Research, women are 2.7 times more likely to develop an autoimmune disease.  I think these numbers should be a wake-up call to all women.  We are all so careful to remember to bring our children for their yearly check-ups, but how many of us remember to go for our own?  With all of this new information regarding women’s health it has become clear that it is imperative that we remember to take care of ourselves.



3 Responsesto “Women and Celiac Disease”

1. Jane says:

   September 21, 2009 at 1:57 pm

   Please could you give references to the study that showed that celiac mothers are 3 times more likely to have autistic children. Many thanks, Jane
2. Jen says:

   September 22, 2009 at 12:59 am

   Sure,Jane. Here is the link:

   http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/44/16/25-a

   Jen
3. sonia gluten free says:

   September 23, 2009 at 11:51 am

   Thank you very much for your blog.
   I have a celiac granddaughter, a friend with an autistic child, really, the child has improved with gluten-free diet.
   happy day