High Fiber Diet in Infancy Linked to Reduced Celiac Risk

A recent observational study from Lund University indicates that a diet rich in fiber during the first two years of life may decrease the risk of developing celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance. The study, which followed 6,500 children with a genetic predisposition to the condition, found a particularly strong correlation when fiber-rich foods were consumed before the age of one. The research team, led by Elin Hård af Segerstad, a pediatric dietitian and researcher, analyzed data from the TEDDY cohort, a long-term study tracking children in Skåne, Germany, Finland, and the United States for type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. Blood samples were used to detect celiac-specific antibodies, allowing researchers to pinpoint the onset of the disease. The study, published in Gastroenterology, is the first to examine fiber intake in young children. Researchers initially hypothesized that the type of fiber might be a factor, but the results showed that the overall amount of fiber consumed was the key determinant. Parents kept food diaries to record their children's diets, and fiber intake was assessed at eleven different points. The researchers also accounted for factors such as family history of celiac disease and biological factors. The study found that increasing fiber intake by approximately three grams per day in children aged 6-12 months reduced the risk of developing celiac disease by nearly 40 percent, compared to a baseline risk of 7.8 cases per 1,000 person-years. A moderate beneficial effect was also observed in children up to two years old. After age two, fiber intake no longer appeared to influence celiac disease risk. The researchers suggest that dietary fiber may improve the composition of the gut flora during the first two years of life, potentially leading to enhanced immune function and a stronger gut. However, they emphasize that these findings are based on an observational study and require further investigation through clinical trials before any dietary recommendations can be made.