Got Problems with Gluten? You Are Not Alone!

January 21, 2010

Edge on Health Blog

January 20th, 2010

Sensitivity to grains is linked to depression, headaches, and indigestion.

Wheat intake can trigger two increasingly prevalent immune-related

conditionsâ€"celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. New Israeli research

finds that people with multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory muscle

disorders have antibodies to gluten (a protein in barley, wheat, and

other grains) suggesting sensitivity to this reactive substance.

At least 3 million Americans have celiac disease, an inherited autoimmune disorder

that causes the body to attackâ€"and eventually destroyâ€"the walls of the

small intestine. In people with related symptoms (anemia, arthritis,

depression, diarrhea, digestive discomfort, infertility, malabsorption,

and osteoporosis, to name a few), the prevalence of this incurable

disease rises to 1 in 56. And itâ€™s 1 in 22 for anyone whose parent,

child, or sibling has celiac.

Trouble is, not everyone with celiac disease has symptoms! While

this disease can appear at any age, itâ€™s becoming increasingly

prevalent among older peopleâ€"whose symptoms are subtle at best.

While the gut is where most gluten intolerance is evident, research

is beginning to explore the brain on gluten. One recent German study

finds that 35% of celiac patients report psychiatric problems:

depression, personality changes, or even psychosis. Medical histories

reveal migraine in 28% of celiacs and gait disturbances (ataxia) in

26%. Even carpal tunnel syndrome and vestibular dysfunction appear in some celiac patients.

Because of close links between gluten intolerance and neurological

problems, Canadian researchers recommend that all children with

neurodevelopmental problemsâ€"including autismâ€"be tested for nutritional

deficiency and malabsorption.

Celiac disease can lead to microscopic colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, even duodenal and stomach ulcers. Itâ€™s also been linked to numerous autoimmune diseases: Type 1 diabetes, dermatitis herpetiformis (intense skin itching), liver autoimmune disease, and thyroid autoimmune diseases (like Graves and Hashimotoâ€™s disease).

Dr. Ann Louiseâ€™s Take:

If

you have celiac disease, the only treatment is a gluten-free diet. The

chief villain is wheat, which seems to go hand in hand with fatigue,

bloating, and abdominal cramping. Barley, kamut, rye, spelt, and

triticale also contain gluten, as do all too many processed foods on

grocery shelves today. Gluten is also found in lip balm, medicines,

play dough, and some supplements, so read labels carefully on all food

and products.

Over the years, many of my clients have shown delayed sensitivity to

grains, which is one reason Iâ€™ve included so many Clean

Carbsâ€"gluten-free grainsâ€"in Fat Flush for Life.

Instead of gluten-based grains, vary your intake of gluten-free

substitutes like amaranth, buckwheat, brown rice, millet, and quinoa.

For baking or other cooking needs, consider bean, coconut, and nut

flours.

Anyone whoâ€™s trying to get pregnant or who is already pregnant

should ditch gluten. Researchers have found that women with celiac

disease who eat wheat have trouble conceivingâ€"and suffer 8 times as

many miscarriages as those on a gluten-free diet.

Youâ€™ll need testsâ€"usually several including an ELISA for

anti-gliadin antibodiesâ€"to determine gluten sensitivity or celiac

disease. Start with an at-home gluten intolerance test. If you discontinue eating gluten-rich grains before testing, you wonâ€™t get accurate results.

Donâ€™t Forget Fiber

Anyone avoiding gluten and most grains needs to get plenty of fiber. Vegetables and fruits can helpâ€"but may not be sufficient.

In Fat Flush for Life,

youâ€™ll find a tasty new source of fiber and omega-3s (a natural

anti-inflammatory for sensitivity-type symptoms)â€"chia seeds. Try the

recipes for Black Bean Cakes, Blueberry Mini Chiacakes, and Fabulous

Chia Crax for a gluten-free fiber. Chiaâ€™s also an ingredient in the Hot

Metabolism Booster Cocktail to turbo-charge detox and weight loss.

Other useful forms of fiber include flaxseed, psyllium, and Super-GI Cleanse.

Other Dietary Support

People with celiac disease tend to be anemic, so they need iron,

vitamin B12, and folate, as well as vitamin K. Because gluten