Celiac Disease Impacts Gut Microbes' Ability to Digest Fiber, Study Finds
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that celiac disease (CeD) affects the gut microbiota's ability to metabolize fiber, regardless of a gluten-free diet. The research indicates that patients with CeD have reduced fiber-degrading taxa in their small-intestinal microbiota, leading to lower microbial fiber metabolism. This condition, triggered by gluten, causes intestinal inflammation and damage. The study involved 16 newly diagnosed CeD patients, 11 on a gluten-free diet for over two years, and 26 healthy controls. The findings suggest that the depletion of fiber-degrading microbes, particularly Prevotella species, contributes to reduced short-chain fatty acid production, which is crucial for gastrointestinal function. 
