July 18/Calgary, Alb./Medical Xpress -- Children living with celiac disease in Alberta may be at a higher risk for low bone-mineral density because of a lack of sun exposure and essential vitamins, new research reveals.
In a study by Diana Mager, a researcher with the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, 30-35% of children diagnosed with celiac disease were found to have poor bone health due to a lack of vitamin D, vitamin K and calcium in their diets. The shortage of vitamin D in particular comes from a lack of UV exposure from the sun -- a lack worsened by the fact Canadians typically do not get enough vitamin D in their diets through fortified dairy products like margarine, milk and some fatty fishes.