A common problem for people with coeliac disease is not being able to gain weight. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine when gluten is ingested. This triggers an inflammatory reaction and causes pain and discomfort. For many the smallest amount of gluten can cause a strong reaction. This reaction can increase the need for specific nutrients making meeting your individual needs more difficult.
Gaining weight can be a challenge for a number of reasons, but the primary issue is likely due to malabsorption. The damage to the small intestine can affect the amount of nutrients absorbed by the body. It can take time for the gut to heal after diagnosis and this can cause absorption problems in the early days. If it is 12 months plus since diagnosis you may want to consider other aspects that might be affecting you.
Issues with absorption can also occur higher up the digestive system. The amino acids that help to build muscle are absorbed here and if digestive capacity is limited this can be compromised. Signs that upper digestion is compromised include heartburn, bloating soon after eating, feeling sleepy after a meal and sometimes slight nausea, especially in the morning.
Other elements that affect weight in coeliac disease may include being cautious with eating food when out or visiting others. This could lead to a lower calorie intake, or episodes of being ‘glutened’ causing you to lose your appetite. Feeling anxious around food can affect the release of digestive secretions due to the body’s stress response. The body limits digestive capacity when stressed and this affects the absorption of nutrients.
