<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

My original question:
>Are there any common nutrient deficiencies or health problems a gluten
and dairy free person should keep in mind as likely to occur?  We eat a
fairly healthy diet, but I've been experiencing an annoying memory loss
and difficulty focusing (I'm sure part of this is due to my kids) and I'd
not only like to clear that up, but prevent any problems from developing
in others in my family.

Many people asked for a summary, and I expect some of the respondents
here may appreciate if you have comment to add.
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I take calcium citrate (Citracal).  My GP told me to drink more water
because my blood calcium is too high, but the GI specialist told me to
take  1500 mg per day instead of the 1000 mg/day I was taking.  I've been
taking  the 1500 and drinking more water, because I read that it doesn't
matter how  much you take in, since the parathyroid gland controls blood
levels tightly.
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The entire range of B-vitamins. Look into gluten-free supplementation.
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My husband was diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago and has been strictly GF -- only
a couple of accidents.  He just went for environmental allergy testing
and he is now showing problems with candida.  Anyone with celiac has a
compromised
immune system and would be subject to candida problems.  I personally
think that his is caused from too many sweets over the holidays.  Candida
feeds on yeasts.

He is now on probiotics and will start a candida cleanse probably
tomorrow. He will start allergy injections on Monday.  He will be tested
later for food allergies to see what else he might be allergic to.

He also developed a problem with lactose about a year ago -- I think
because he drank too much milk for awhile.  He seems to get on a kick of
really liking something and then overdoes it and it gives him problems.
The best advice I can give is to rotate your foods.  Try not to eat the
same thing everyday so you don't develop a sensitivity to it.
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I think it may depend on how long you went without a diagnosis.  I was
very sick for 17 years and getting one misdiagnosis after another.
Therefore, I have a severely damaged GI system. I have many nutrient
deficiencies.  A doctor in Atlanta did tests to evaluate the level of my
amino acids, vitamins, etc.    All were very low.  I took pharmaceutical
grade supplements for a while but they were too expensive to continue.  I
felt better but my stamina and memory will
never be the same.   If you have young children, take lots of GF vitamins
and follow your diet.
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definitely take a multivitamin/min suppl.  You have to watch out for Vit
B6, Calcium, Vit D, Iron. Those are the most important. Gretchen RD
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My husband who has CD has iron deficiency. That has always been a problem
with him.
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You need to be concerned with vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, folate, iron,
calcium,  zinc, magnesium. All can be found in a multivitamin and mineral
tablet.  With  the dairy free you really need to be concerned with
calcium and Vitamin D
for your bones.
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 I continue to be a little anemic and do not understand why.  I have been
gluten free since late June 2002. My numbers have not changed much  since
the time prior to diagnosis so have been wondering if others  might also
be anemic.
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Have you replaced dairy with soy? It could easily be causing mental fog
for yyou. Some people are sensitive to it. I am hypersensitive to soy...
__________________________________________

You might try avoiding dairy for a week and see what happens. I recently
found out that a lot of my mental fogginess happens the day after I eat
some cheese or cream -- those are also the days I tend to get migraines.
Casein can do some of the "opioid" stuff that gluten does, and one can
have a similar IgA reaction to it also.
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B12 (and all the B vitamins) is a problem, and a lack of it can cause
memory problems. You should probably get your level checked, or even just
start taking B12 and a B complex on your own. You cannot harm yourself by
taking too much.
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Have you had your zinc level checked?  Mine was low when diagnosed, and
I've been on supplements for 2 1/2 years, and barely gotten it into the
normal range.  The pharmacist told me that zinc has a lot to do with
memory, taste and smell.
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Sometimes trace amounts of gluten can do that.  It doesn't take much,
possibly just a trace in a pill & even makeup you use every day.  Alone
that  amount would not be a problem, but on a daily basis it can have a
cummulative  effect.
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I am curious about what you find out, but I know that calcium, vitamin B
(esp. 12) and iron can be biggies.
________________________________________________________
 I've heard of calcium and B-12 deficiencies, as well as iron
deficiencies related to anemia.  I take multivitamins plus a calcium
supplement.
________________________________________________________
Just wanted you to know it may resolve on it's own, so don't panic, don't
forget to laugh as much as possible, get some bright light every day, and
if you aren't doing regular exertise, start.
_________________________________________________
I believe that the three nutrients that are the most important for a new
celiac to supplement right away are: vitamin B12, magnesium and
potassium.  Here's why:

(1) The most common & potentially devastating deficiency we are
susceptible to is vitamin B 12 deficiency.   When the GI track is
impaired in anyway, B12 absorption is compromised.  B12 deficiency causes
memory loss & confusion, anemia, fatigue & sore tongue.  Long term B12
deficiency can cause permanent neurological damage.  Even after going GF,
it can be years before we can absorb B12 again & some celiacs never
regain this ability because of secondary hypochlorhydria (low stomach
acid production, a frequent consequence of GI disease).

There's a blood test for B12 levels in the blood, but these tests are not
100% reliable & should not be used as a standard for how much B12 you
need.  Your symptoms & the richness of your blood should be used as the
best guide to whether you are getting enough B12 or not.  Some people
seem to have a greater need for high blood levels of B12 than others.
Some people function quite well with their blood levels of B12 at "normal
levels", but others (such as myself) don't function well unless my blood
levels of B12 are triple what is considered normal.

The fastest & most reliable way to restore B12 is by injection.  Women
especially report feeing dramatically better after the very first
injection of B12. I sure did.  It's very safe.  B12 can also be
inexpensively & effectively supplemented with an under-the-tongue
supplement.  B12 can also be absorbed from pills that are swallowed but
it takes very large doses to accomplish this.  Trader Joe's had a GF
under-the-tongue supplement that also contains folic acid & vitamin B6,
which should also be supplemented along with B12.  B12 is stored in the
liver & once absorption stops it can take three years to deplete our
liver stores.  Replacing depleted liver stores of B12 can take a long
time if you use the under-the-tongue or oral route, but it can be done.
It takes very high doses over a long period of time, perhaps months.
But, not to worry, you can't hurt yourself with massive doses of B12.

Generally B12 injections given 2 or 3 times a week for a month or two are
sufficient to replinish liver stores.  Then monthy B12 injections, oral
or under-the-tongue supplements are usually sufficient to maintain liver
stores of B12 permanently.

(2) The second nutrient that is critically important & very dificient in
the celiac is magnesium.  My doctor recommends 400 to 800 mg a day of
magnesium aspartate.  He discourages the use of magnesium oxide as it
causes diarrhea which can lead to more deficiencies.  Many nutrition
researchers feel that magnesium supplementation is more important to
building strong bones than calcium.  It's also essential for a healthy
nervous system & may help you with some of the symptoms you are having
lately.  Magnesium is better absorbed when taken with a meal that
includes butter or other fats.

(3) BOTH B12 and magnesium supplementation will create the need for you
to take in more potassium, so eat plenty of fresh fruits.  For me, fresh
fruits weren't enough, because I kept having leg cramps (a sign of
potassium & magnesium deficiency) so my doctor ordered prescription
strength potassium. I prefer Micro K or K Dur which are both GF
prescription strength potassium supplements.  Potassium is available over
the counter, but it's not very potent.

In addition to this, I would recommend a good quality GF multiple such as
TwinLabs Daily One Caps, plus a 1000 mg of vitamin C a day.

If you wish to supplement with calcium, I recommend OsteoPrime made by
PhytoPharmica.  It contains all the nutrients known to be essential for
bone growth (calcium, magnesium, vitamins E, K, D, selenium, zinc, boron,
etc.).  It's been very beneficial to me by helping me sleep more soundly
at night.  (Search the web for PhytoPharmica products, you'll find
several suppliers.)
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look into B1 deficiency symptoms - most celiacs have it.
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Many people are looking at amino acid supplements to help with brain fog.
 I don't know the best books to read yet.

If you are close to perimenopausal age ( could be as early as 35 for some
women) consider hormonal causes of brain fog.
Christiane Northrup MD,  Wisdom of Menopause, and drnorthrup.com, may be
able to shed some light on this.
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Check two things: Thyroid and estrogen. Celiacs have thyroid problems
more often then others do.
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Thank you all for your replies, including the author of one which wasn't
included here because of potential copyright.

Blessings,
Karen
Lamplight Hill educational resources  www.lamplighthill.com
"With a good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men,"
Ephesians 6:7

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