Whole Health-Feb 2011 G-Free Newsletter

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Nourishing Your Body for Better Health

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Gluten Intolerance–Feb 2011 G-Free Newsletter

Current Research on Gluten Intolerance

Classes

Events

The Wild and Wacky World of Gluten Intolerance

Unless you're living in a bubble, you've heard about plenty people who do not have Celiac disease, and yet report all sorts of positive health improvements a gluten-free diet. While for some it is obviously a just a fad, we'll discuss what the research is on non-Celiac gluten sensitivity, and groups of people that seem to be most affected. The main conditions linked to both Celiac disease and non-Celiac gluten intolerance are IBS, neurological issues, autoimmune conditions, such as autoimmune thyroid disease or Type 1 diabetes, and schizophrenia. I absolutely believe that people should get tested for Celiac disease before going gluten-free, simply because the diet is a lifelong commitment, and ideally, that's a really long time. And I've definitely found that people with a firm diagnosis are usually more compliant with the diet.

I can't count the number of times people with gut issues report that a gluten-free diet helps their symptoms, despite testing negative for Celiac disease. Research is starting to back them up. It's well-established that Celiac disease is 4-5 times more common in people with IBS than the general population. And yet there are also a group of people without Celiac disease that respond favorably to a gluten-free diet. It is most commonly seen in people with the HLA geneotype DQ2, which most people with CD have. So is this a pre-Celiac condition? A similar condition? We're really not sure. The American College of Gastroenterology published a 2009 article on the "No Man's Land of Gluten Sensitivity", and states that "even in the absence of fully developed celiac disease, gluten can induce symptoms similar to FBD (Functional Bowel Disorders). Even more striking is the estimate that for every person with CD, there are at least six or seven people who are gluten sensitive."[ii]

Neuropathy is a general term for conditions involving nerve cells. It includes everything from ataxia, or lack of muscle coordination, peripheral neuropathy, or numbness and/or tingling in hands and feet, to headaches and more. Neuropathy is very common in people with Celiac disease even when they are on a gluten-free diet, possibly as high as 22%[iii]. However, compared to healthy people, a much higher percentage of people who have neuropathies WITHOUT Celiac test positive for AGA antibodies (an old screening test used for celiac). Our typical celiac tests look at tissue transglutaminase 2, while it seems like people with neuropathies most often have tissue transglutaminase 6. Almost all of these people have one of the HLA typings linked to celiac (DQ2 or DQ8). When gluten is removed, these markers disappear. Only a few research studies have been done on removing gluten in the diet, but there are indications of improvements. And yet this is certainly an interesting area of research which we will hopefully learn much more about in future years!

There has been an established link between schizophrenia and Celiac since the `60s, and it's profound. As one study puts it, "a drastic reduction, if not full remission, of schizophrenic symptoms after initiation of gluten withdrawal has been noted in a variety of studies. However, this occurs only in a subset of schizophrenic patients."[iv] Although there is still debate, non-celiacs with schizophrenia have higher rates of AGA antibodies, and the rate of response to a gluten free diet seems higher than the rate of people with CD. Considering how debilitating the disease is, that's astounding!

Type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease[v] are both linked to Celiac disease, and yet animal models show a more generalized sensitivity to gluten. And while the word gluten was not used, a study of Type 1 diabetics without CD showed less immune dysfunction on a wheat-free diet[vi]. While this is less concrete, it will be fascinating to see what research has to show over the next few years.

At this point, there are no widely accepted, definitive research-based test for gluten intolerance, although I mentioned several suggestive tests, so for many people it is simply a matter of trial and error. I would not recommend Enterolab testing because they have published no research in the decade or more they have been in practice.

As a final note, the strength of the link between gluten and these conditions is variable, and yet, so many people stand to potentially benefit. And this is no longer a "fringe" view. Links to all of the referenced studies are below, and all are from peer reviewed major journals from the last few years. It is quite a controversial topic, and we all have a lot to learn. Personally, I feel very strongly that gluten intolerance is true a medical condition.

Links are at the bottom of the newsletter

Classes:

Living and Loving a Gluten-free diet

Saturday, March 5th, 201111:00-12:30

.. Celiac disease, gluten sensitivity and the importance of proper testing. All you ever wanted to know about label reading. Foods to avoid, cross contamination and hidden gluten. Sorting out the facts from common myths

$25 per person or bring a friend–2 for $40. The cost is also reimbursable through an FSA Flexible Spending Account) with a receipt as a medical expense.

For more information, see http://www.harriswholehealth.com/services

Events:

DC Celiacs:

Next Meeting Date: Saturday, March 19, 2011, 2:00–4:00 pm

Meeting Topic: "Healthy Gluten-Free Eating" (and tasting samples!)Speaker: Cheryl , MPH, RD

Vendors: Bready Baking System ( www.mybready.com )Cherry Blossom Cakes ( www.cherryblossomcakesdc.com/ )

Location: Bethesda Central Library (land)7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814240-777-0970http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/libraries/branchinfo/be.asp

Other Local Event–Tasting from n's Smart Delights

Please join us for a tasting at Whole Foods andria this coming Sunday, February 13, 2011 from 2:30 until 5:30 pm or until samples last. We will offer our "usual" favorite, including the chocolate chip muffins, dairy-free coconut muffins, dairy-free lemon bars, and cookies. We will also serve samples of the new recipes developed for Valentine's Day and other special occasions: the dairy-free chocolate banana muffins, the chocolaty cookies, and white chocolate mixed berry muffins