Don't fall off the wagon if you're celiac

In patients with celiac disease, persistent villous atrophy may be associated with certain types of lymphoma, including T-cell and non-Hodgkin, according to the findings of a recent study in the August 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers found that celiac patients who had continual persistent villous atrophy had a significantly higher risk for malignant lymphoma compared with subjects with mucosal healing.

Bonnie: The takeaway? If celiac, be extremely vigilant in adhering to your gluten-free diet, especially after first being diagnosed. Healing the mucosal lining and revitalizing villi is the key to prevention. A small percentage of celiac patients do not improve as much as they need to just by following a gluten-free diet. There are several reasons why this occurs. Working with a nutritional professional with expertise on this issue is paramount.