Sports Dietitians Australia Factsheets

Welcome to the Sports Dietitians Australia factsheets! We encourage you to use the factsheets to further your understanding of these specific areas of sports nutrition but please note that the information they contain is general in nature. We all have different physical needs and attributes. This means that while there are general principles, the key to sports nutrition is that it is very individual in nature. For this reason, not all factsheets are publicly available and are accessible only to members. For support that is specific to your activity needs and health and stage of life requirements, please reach out to an Accredited Sports Dietitian.

Coeliac Disease & Athletes

In some individuals with medically diagnosed coeliac disease, certain foods and fluids can cause adverse reactions ranging from mild to debilitating which can significantly influence performance for the athlete but this can be avoided.

What is coeliac disease?

Coeliac disease is a genetic medical condition that results from exposure to gluten – a protein fraction found in wheat, rye, barley and oats; an environmental trigger and an autoimmune response. It affects many organs of the body including the small intestine (gastrointestinal tract). The degree of sensitivity varies among people with coeliac disease. An adverse immune response to dietary gluten damages the lining (villi) and surrounding cel...

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