Long-term consumption of oats in adult celiac disease patients

Nutrients. 2013 Nov 6;5(11):4380-9. doi: 10.3390/nu5114380.

Abstract

Many celiac disease patients tolerate oats, but limited data are available on its long-term consumption. This was evaluated in the present study, focusing on small-bowel mucosal histology and gastrointestinal symptoms in celiac adults maintaining a strict gluten-free diet with or without oats. Altogether 106 long-term treated celiac adults were enrolled for this cross-sectional follow-up study. Daily consumption of oats and fiber was assessed, and small-bowel mucosal morphology and densities of CD3+, αβ+ and γσ+ intraepithelial lymphocytes determined. Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed by a validated Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale questionnaire. Seventy (66%) out of the 106 treated celiac disease patients had consumed a median of 20 g of oats (range 1-100 g) per day for up to eight years; all consumed oat products bought from general stores. Daily intake and long-term consumption of oats did not result in small-bowel mucosal villous damage, inflammation, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Oat-consumers had a significantly higher daily intake of fiber than those who did not use oats. Two thirds of celiac disease patients preferred to use oats in their daily diet. Even long-term ingestion of oats had no harmful effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Avena*
  • Celiac Disease* / complications
  • Celiac Disease* / pathology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet*
  • Diet, Gluten-Free*
  • Dietary Fiber / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Fiber / pharmacology
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / etiology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Intestine, Small / drug effects*
  • Intestine, Small / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Seeds
  • Young Adult