Celiac.com 07/15/2016 - This week I have noticed many blogs/articles claiming that the only illness that can be caused by gluten is celiac disease. Yes, they state that celiac disease alone needs a gluten-free diet. I totally disagree with this distorted out-of-date viewpoint. There are tens of millions of non-celiac people who testify that gluten causes them significant harm. It is my suspicion that the wheat lobby is cranking up these anti-gluten-free messages as a way of stopping wheat sales from slumping. Why else promote such a barrage of misinformation?
As if to counter such negative press, I got this email last week:
Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
By way of explanation, George was aggressive and having difficulty learning, he was easily distractible and he was always fighting with his sister. His parents saw him as being a naughty boy, however he was displaying severe ADHD behaviours. They wondered if he might need some medication and were exploring psychological help for their family.
However, as I have seen a lot of behaviour-disturbed children get completely better off gluten. So I tested him for celiac disease (this was negative), I then recommended a strict gluten-free trial for three months. As you have read, his parents say that there has been a dramatic change, and now see him as a "sociable and loveable little boy" – in just a few weeks!
To me this is clear evidence that gluten can cause significant inflammatory damage to our nerves and brains. George was displaying ADHD behaviours, triggered by gluten. It is a pity that those who are ridiculing the gluten-free diet movement are attempting to deny children like George the knowledge of healing on a gluten free diet.
Evidence points to the nervous system as the prime site of gluten damage. This theory is attractive because it gives a unifying answer that explains the following conundrums:
- a mechanism of the non-gut symptoms of celiac disease;
- the behaviour disturbances caused by gluten reactions;
- the psychiatric and personality disorders provoked by gluten;
- the multitude of neurological symptoms;
- the autonomic nervous system disturbances (often seen in people with celiac disease);
- why such small amounts of gluten can cause such major reactions by the amplification effect of the nervous system (not dependent on any gut damage);
- why gluten can create such a diverse range of symptoms. Because any agent that causes widespread neurological harm (think of multiple sclerosis and Syphilis) can generate almost any array of symptoms.
Nerve and brain damage from gluten can also explain why celiac patients with extensive gut damage can be asymptomatic. The histological gut damage in celiac disease is not mediated through this neurologic system: it is caused by local toxicity to the bowel in susceptible people. If these people are not highly sensitized to gluten, then they may not experience any symptoms mediated through neural networks.
I got mad and grumpy
I would also like to tell you about Nick. When he was 8 years old he wrote his story down for me:
I had dizzy spells
I also had dizzy spells every day and I didn't feel well. They thought that I had a heart problem when I was 8. I went to the doctor and to the hospital lots and lots as they were trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I wasn't very well. When I was on gluten I had sore tummies at least twice a week.
I am off gluten and I have more energy
Now I am on a gluten-free diet. When I'm off gluten, I still sometimes have dizzy spells – but not usually. You might lose weight when you first start go gluten-free because you are getting used to it.
At school I found I had to get off gluten, as I couldn't sit still on the mat. I now have got more energy to run. I can sprint now. I can sleep better too. I used to not have enough energy but now I have enough energy to sprint around the cross-country. I've achieved in my spelling now and I'm much better at school. My Doctor Ford is a nice man because he talks nicely. Tons of people need to go and see him.
Gluten-free helps your attitude
Please come to our diet because it helps you breath better, it helps your attitude change. It makes you be stronger. Me and my brother used to fight a lot when I was on gluten but we like one another now. I liked gluten foods but I can't have it as it's not good for me.
In my family we have got a dog and four humans – Jordan, Dad, Mum and me. We are all gluten-free but my dad doesn't have to be gluten-free. It's unfair when my dad eats gluten and it makes me feel hungry.
The food can be nice
Our gingerbread bakery bakes us nice food. When I found out I was allowed to have a gluten-free birthday cake I was very happy. We go to Gingerbreads once a week. I buy chocolate chip biscuits they taste delicious. World come and be gluten-free as it makes me delighted! I love people that make yummy gluten-free foods.
My brother says that being on a gluten-free diet is like being in China with no noodles. He finds it hard and says he just wants to be normal. I say he will get used to it.
Nick
Nick's mum adds:
Prior to going gluten-free Nick had the following list of symptoms:
- Rashes
- Sore tummy and runny poos
- Very irritable
- Very tired – slept more than 12 hours
- Poor memory and learning hard work
- Behaviour problems – got very angry with others
- Bad hay fever and asthma
- Intolerant to dairy
- Dizzy spells for 6 months and not feeling well
- Very fussy eater.
The good news is that of today (six months later), he is not having a lot of these symptoms and he is a much nicer person all around. He can now have dairy products again."
Mum
The implication of gluten causing neurologic network damage is immense. With estimates that at least one in 10 people are affected by gluten, the health impact in enormous. Understanding the components of the gluten syndrome is important for the health of the global community.
Written in the spirit of cooperation and knowledge sharing. You can read many more patient stories in my book "Gluten-Related Disorder: Sick? Tired? Grumpy?" Open Original Shared Link
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