Study Shows Clear Link Between Celiac Disease and Anorexia Nervosa

When I was much younger, I knew a girl with anorexia. I couldn't understand it because I loved to eat. But after I figured out that I couldn't tolerate gluten, I experienced what it was like to be suspicious of everything that I put in my mouth, and I reminded myself of that young lady that I knew. So I wondered then if she might have been so cautious about food because it made her feel badly as it had begun to do with me.

Among the reason they listed between anorexia and celiac they did not see the most obvious one: If a person with undiagnosed celiac gets pain, bloating and all the miserable feeling and health conveniences that come after ingesting gluten, it is to far fetched that they will stop eating all together? Especially a young person, if they had been tested for celiac and if was not confirmed--as it happened to me-- they could come to think that it is something of themselves that causes their symptoms and refuse to eat at all. As gluten is in all kinds of unsuspected forms and products it is highly possible that we have if ever time we eat. Undiagnosed celiac is gluten sensitivity CAN cause anorexia, simply because you don't want feel sick every time you eat.

Your statement; " Anorexia, simply because you don't want feel sick every time you eat" is the only conclusion that deserves merit. Chronic gluten exposure resulted in my health down-spiral that led to severe malnutrition, peripheral neuralgia, encephalopathy and the eventual need for surgical intervention. Eating out? Forget it! Taking risks? NO more! I eat less because there is less to eat. Just how much plain beef, chicken, fruits & vegetables can one eat in a day? It was a sad time when the FDA did not intervene with wheat hybridization. The extensive ramifications were neither suspected nor proposed. Persons who state that gluten is good and more gluten is better should live in my shoes for one month: No gluten, egg, yeast, dairy, oils (except cold pressed), preservatives, artificial flavorings, coloring agents. This list of toxins has removed; 99% of processed foods from my grocery list and 100% of restaurants visits. Cross contamination is an unacceptable risk. The Cooperating Parties continue to modify reportable code sets for celiac and non-celiac gluten sensitivities. I project gluten will impact 15% of the population by 2027. We will see!

I am riposting this, as it had many typos in the previous post: Among the reason they listed which link anorexia and celiac they did not see the most obvious one: a person with undiagnosed celiac gets pain, bloating and all the miserable feelings and health consequences that come after ingesting gluten. Is it too far fetched that they will stop eating all together? Especially a young person, if they had been tested for celiac and if it was not confirmed--as it happened to me-- they could come to think that it is something of themselves that causes their symptoms and refuse to eat at all. As gluten is in all kinds of unsuspected forms and products it is highly possible that we have it every time we eat. Undiagnosed celiac and gluten sensitivity CAN cause anorexia, simply because you don't want to feel sick every time you eat.

Among the reason they listed between anorexia and celiac they did not see the most obvious one: If a person with undiagnosed celiac gets pain, bloating and all the miserable feeling and health conveniences that come after ingesting gluten, it is to far fetched that they will stop eating all together? Especially a young person, if they had been tested for celiac and if was not confirmed--as it happened to me-- they could come to think that it is something of themselves that causes their symptoms and refuse to eat at all. As gluten is in all kinds of unsuspected forms and products it is highly possible that we have if ever time we eat. Undiagnosed celiac is gluten sensitivity CAN cause anorexia, simply because you don't want feel sick every time you eat.

My understanding is that anorexia nervosa is much more than simply avoiding food because one does not wish to get sick. It is a psychological and medical condition with clear features. As such, I'm not sure your hypothesis holds water. It may very well be the case that gluten damage and the desire to avoid it could be a contributing factor before diagnosis, but what about after? Most people with celiac disease work hard to avoid gluten once diagnosed, and most are usually successful, even with a steep learning curve and occasional contamination. As they find a diet that works for them, they get healthier. Since this study shows a connection both before and after diagnosis, the data indicate that the answer likely lies somewhere else.

I can understand if there is a correlation between celiac disease and some anorexia cases, as your body will definitely tell you there is something wrong if you listen... It's sometimes really hard to figure it out though until you have to do something about it. I'm celiac with dairy, egg, yeast and additives allergies, which sometimes feels like l'm a walking science experiment. Still feels good to figure things out!