If you're constantly struggling with bloating, fatigue, and always seem to have an upset stomach, it might be more than just a sensitive tummy. Coeliac disease, an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten, is often misdiagnosed as IBS or stress. According to Coeliac UK, the disease is officially estimated to affect around 1 in 100 people in this country, but the real number is significantly higher. If these symptoms sound familiar and you feel like you might be an undiagnosed coeliac sufferer, don't panic! We're sharing all the symptoms you need to look out for, and the best supplements for coeliac that can help you stay fit and well while you get your diagnosis and beyond! Plus some helpful tips on how to deal with coeliac disease side effects like stomach upset, pain, and bloating.
Why do you need to take supplements for Coeliac Disease?
There are no specific supplements for coeliac disease sufferers that will cure the condition, but there are lots of supplements that could be really helpful in supporting your health and preventing nutritional deficiencies from developing – more common if you are coeliac.
This is because coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Even the tiniest amounts of gluten can cause the immune system to attack the small intestine lining. Leading to inflammation and damage to the villi; tiny finger-like structures that absorb nutrients from food.
If your gut can't absorb nutrients properly, your risk of developing deficiencies increases. That’s where supplements come in! If you're coeliac, or suspect you might be, it's sensible to try topping up your levels of essential nutrients to help you avoid becoming deficient in things like B12, Iron, and Vitamin D (we'll reveal the full list later in the blog).
And our patches are the most effective way to boost your levels because all the nutrients are delivered topically via the skin, a must when your gut has been damaged and absorption has been compromised. Want to understand more about how effective transdermal patches are? Read our blog Why Extended Release Vitamins are better for your body.
What symptoms should you be looking out for?
The most common symptoms of coeliac are bloating, abdominal pain, constant fatigue, and an upset stomach – you might experience diarrhea, or needing to go to the toilet more often than usual. Some people also notice weight loss without trying, skin rashes, low mood, and brain fog. If any of this strikes a chord and is happening more than occasionally, it's a good idea to chat with your GP, who will organise a blood test for you. Don’t cut out gluten from your diet before getting tested though, because this can skew the results.
Which are the best supplements for Coeliac Disease?:
1. Iron
Iron-deficiency anaemia is one of the most common early signs of coeliac disease. If exposure to gluten is damaging your gut, it can struggle to absorb iron from food. The most obvious signs of anaemia are feeling tired, weak, or short of breath, but if you want more of a deep dive into some of the more uncommon symptoms, and what to look out for, read 5 Surprising Signs you need to Increase Iron Levels.
The best form of iron supplements for coeliac disease is ferrous bisglycinate, a gentle, highly absorbable form, which you'll find in our Iron Plus patch. And don't worry, because the iron in patches completely bypasses the gut there's no chance of developing some of the pesky digestive side-effects you get with traditional oral iron supplements, like constipation or stomach upset.
2. Vitamin D3/K2:
Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption and supports immune function and coeliac sufferers are often deficient due to poor absorption and limited dietary intake. Getting enough of your daily D is essential for everything from keeping your bones and immune system strong and healthy to stabilising mood, and even helps your body fight inflammation – a must if you're living with any kind of autoimmune disease.
You can boost your levels with a supplement like our Vitamin D3/K2 patch. This is our recommended vitamin D supplements for coeliac disease because K2 ensures calcium ends up in the right places – like your bones and teeth – instead of your arteries, where it definitely shouldn't be. For people with coeliac disease, who might already have had trouble absorbing nutrients (especially if the gut’s still healing), getting enough K2 can be especially helpful.
3. Folate ( Vitamin B9) – another of your must-have supplements for Coeliac Disease
Damage to the small intestine can impair the absorption of B vitamins, especially folate, hence why B9 is another one of your must-have supplements for coeliac disease. You need folate to produce healthy red blood cells and for optimum nerve health. If you don't get enough, you run the risk of developing pernicious anaemia (Wondering what that is? Read 5 essential supplements you need if you have pernicious anaemia)
Our handy Multivitamin Plus patch includes vitamin B9, alongside lots of other essential supplements for coeliac, including Iron, B12, vitamin D, and more, making it a great 'catch-all' choice if you're short on time or budget. Even better, our formulation includes the methylfolate (5-MTHF) form of B9, rather than synthetic folic acid, which is much more bioavailable.
4. B12
B12 deficiency is extremely common in coeliac disease due to impaired gut absorption. Much like folate, if you don't get enough your body can't produce healthy red blood cells and your nervous system can be affected. Leading to symptoms like fatigue, tingling hands or feet, and brain fog.
You can help improve your B12 levels with the B12 Plus Patch (get yours here) ideal for boosting your cognitive function and energy levels. Vitamin patches completely bypass the gut, making them one of the best B12 supplements for coeliac disease. Plus, our formulations are completely gluten-free (even trace amounts can trigger a reaction) and don't contain any fillers, binders, or artificial colours.
5. Magnesium
Magnesium is yet another essential nutrient that chronic inflammation and gut damage can reduce the absorption of. It's essential for over 300 processes in the body, including energy production, muscle function, and nerve health. Not getting enough can trigger everything from anxiety and insomnia to leg cramps.
We'd recommend adding the Tri Mag patch, which contains the 3 most bioavailable types of magnesium, to your supplements for coeliac list. As well as helping to prevent you developing a magnesium deficiency, it also helps to relax your muscles, which could ease the painful gut spasms coeliac sufferers can experience.
6. Zinc
Zinc supports both immune function and gut healing, so you can see why it would be another one of the more useful supplements for coeliac disease. Our L-Lysine/Zinc patch contains the ideal daily dose of zinc if your levels need a boost after months of not getting enough.
This immune-boosting formulation also contains selenium, a powerful anti-oxidant, which some studies suggest can help to balance the immune response, so that your body is less likely to go into attack mode against its own tissues.
How to manage Coeliac Disease:
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Coeliac Disease. But to prevent flare-ups the most obvious solution is to follow a gluten-free diet. You can eat as much meat, fish, fruit and veg, rice and lentils as you like. And thankfully, gluten-free food has come on leaps and bounds in the last decade. There are all kinds of delicious alternatives to gluten-filled favourites like bread, cakes, biscuits, and pasta.
Be sure to always check the ingredients label, as gluten-free alternatives can sometimes be high in sugar. You might also want to try eliminating oats from your diet for a while too, as many coeliacs are also sensitive to a protein called avenin, found in oats. Introduce them gradually back into your diet and if your symptoms flare, you'll know oats are also a 'no-no' for you.
Accidentally eaten something with gluten in it and feel awful? Lots of people living with Coeliac disease keep an emergency supply of Buscopan, an antispasmodic that can relieve the painful cramps associated with the IBS symptoms eating gluten can trigger. Colpermin, a natural peppermint oil capsule, can also help, as peppermint oil is believed to relax bowel muscles and help trapped gas pass through the body, regulating your bowel movements and reducing cramps and bloating. So, it's well worth adding both of these to your supplements for coeliac shopping list.