In the U.S., public awareness of gluten free diets has reached widespread recognition, but largely in name only. For those suffering with celiac disease or acute wheat allergies, it’s critical. For those with known reactions to gluten, it’s of serious importance. For those who don’t really know what it’s about, but see it on packaging, it seems to evoke a similar response as being forced to “Press 1 for English”. Journalists tend to frame the gluten free approach as legit for celiac treatment, but ultimately a fad diet controlling minions of mindless Gwyneth Paltrow lovers (AP Article). The paleo diet community views it as more of a religion (that’s tongue-in-cheek hyperbole, people!). Before we continue, here are my biases: I experience repeatable, specific, and boring symptoms from gluten intake, but I do not have celiac disease or a “gluten allergy”. Evolutionary biology is a scientific fact and I believe the paleo diet provides ultimate explanations for why we should’t eat grains. So what are the proximate explanations for going gluten free? Is it fad or fo’ real?
A quick and dirty primer
Celiac (or coeliac) disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the small intestine is damaged by components of gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains. The effects of celiac diseas are numerous, serious, and varied. For a entertaining sobering look, check out Tim Ferriss’ How to Keep Feces Out of Your Bloodstream. Strictly speaking, a “wheat allergy” can be similar to something like a peanut allergy. Folks in this group experience rapid onset symptoms that are serious, including the potential of anaphylactic shock. It’s mainly for these folks that food is required to expose the presence of wheat content on packaging.
From there, we transition into the murky terms of gluten intolerance and/or sensitivity. These two classifications are where the non-celiac, non-allergy folks may reside. Whether we should take them seriously is what the references below try to answer. There’s plenty of research and anecdotal evidence within the paleo and related nutrition/health worlds. However, since they’re in it for the money, some people tend to pass what they say off as mere profiteering. And perhaps that’s fair, but perhaps both are justified.
Below are a series of links (and abstracts when available) to recent medical literature on gluten research. Basically, I just did a search on PubMed for articles with “gluten” in the title, but without “celiac” or “coeliac” in the title. Doing this search brought up 1340+ results, so I narrowed it down. I’ve tried to filter out the articles discussing the use of gluten free diets in the treatment of autism. I’ve also endeavored to filter out everything relating to animal studies. That said, some of the animal studies are quite convincing… But I get it… Humans aren’t chimpanzees or mice. Also, I only went back to 2008 (this was written in September, 2010).
For those not familiar with medical journals, this sort of research can be beyond frustrating. Realize that you have to pay for the full versions of most of these articles if you’re not a member of an organization (University, Hospital, etc.) with a subscription. For the sake of expediency, I’m going to bias this thing like crazy and highlight (in red) some of the more salient points below. Reading only the titles and highlighted passages will give you maximum bias if that’s what you’re looking for. To get the full story, you’d need to read all of every article.
Current Barometer
My assessment of the current barometer for medical research on the effect of gluten on humans is roughly this: In the general population (those not having celiac disease or wheat allergies), gluten either causes, or is strongly correlated to a range of autoimmune and neurological disorders. Further, gluten intolerance can present with any one, or group, of symptoms or disorders with varying degrees of severity. Lastly, it is generally agreed that celiac disease and non-celiac gluten intolerance are underreported and under-diagnosed, though the numbers remain speculative.
For me, on a practical level, the correlations between autoimmune and neurological problems in the scientific literature, my personal experiences with gluten, anecdotal reports from others, and the logical framework of evolutionary biology/paleo diet is convincing enough for me to abstain from gluten.
Medical Journal References to Gluten in Non-Celiac Individuals
Gluten Causes Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Subjects Without Celiac Disease – The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Despite increased prescription of a gluten-free diet for gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals who do not have celiac disease, there is minimal evidence that suggests that gluten is a trigger. The aims of this study were to determine whether gluten ingestion can induce symptoms in non-celiac individuals and to examine the mechanism.
METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled rechallenge trial was undertaken in patients with irritable bowel syndrome in whom celiac disease was excluded and who were symptomatically controlled on a gluten-free diet. Participants received either gluten or placebo in the form of two bread slices plus one muffin per day with a gluten-free diet for up to 6 weeks. Symptoms were evaluated using a visual analog scale and markers of intestinal inflammation, injury, and immune activation were monitored.
RESULTS: A total of 34 patients (aged 29-59 years, 4 men) completed the study as per protocol. Overall, 56% had human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8. Adherence to diet and supplements was very high. Of 19 patients (68%) in the gluten group, 13 reported that symptoms were not adequately controlled compared with 6 of 15 (40%) on placebo (P=0.0001; generalized estimating equation). On a visual analog scale, patients were significantly worse with gluten within 1 week for overall symptoms (P=0.047), pain (P=0.016), bloating (P=0.031), satisfaction with stool consistency (P=0.024), and tiredness (P=0.001). Anti-gliadin antibodies were not induced. There were no significant changes in fecal lactoferrin, levels of celiac antibodies, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, or intestinal permeability. There were no differences in any end point in individuals with or without DQ2/DQ8.
CONCLUSIONS: “Non-celiac gluten intolerance” may exist, but no clues to the mechanism were elucidated.
Sensory ganglionopathy due to gluten sensitivity – Neurology, 2010
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Gluten sensitivity can engender neurologic dysfunction, one of the two commonest presentations being peripheral neuropathy. The commonest type of neuropathy seen in the context of gluten sensitivity is sensorimotor axonal. We report 17 patients with sensory ganglionopathy associated with gluten sensitivity.
METHODS: This is a retrospective observational case series of 17 patients with sensory ganglionopathy and gluten sensitivity. All patients had been followed up for a number of years in dedicated gluten sensitivity/neurology and neuropathy clinics.
RESULTS: Out of a total of 409 patients with different types of peripheral neuropathies, 53 (13%) had clinical and neurophysiologic evidence of sensory ganglionopathy. Out of these 53 patients, 17 (32%) had serologic evidence of gluten sensitivity. The mean age of those with gluten sensitivity was 67 years and the mean age at onset was 58 years. Seven of those with serologic evidence of gluten sensitivity had enteropathy on biopsy. Fifteen patients went on a gluten-free diet, resulting in stabilization of the neuropathy in 11. The remaining 4 had poor adherence to the diet and progressed, as did the 2 patients who did not opt for dietary treatment. Autopsy tissue from 3 patients demonstrated inflammation in the dorsal root ganglia with degeneration of the posterior columns of the spinal cord.
CONCLUSIONS: Sensory ganglionopathy can be a manifestation of gluten sensitivity and may respond to a strict gluten-free diet.
Gluten sensitivity and the CNS: diagnosis and treatment – Lancet Neurology, 2010
Abstract
Gluten sensitivity is a systemic autoimmune disease with diverse manifestations. This disorder is characterised by abnormal immunological responsiveness to ingested gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. Coeliac disease, or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is only one aspect of a range of possible manifestations of gluten sensitivity. Although neurological manifestations in patients with established coeliac disease have been reported since 1966, it was not until 30 years later that, in some individuals, gluten sensitivity was shown to manifest solely with neurological dysfunction. Furthermore, the concept of extraintestinal presentations without enteropathy has only recently become accepted. In this Personal View, we review the range of neurological manifestations of gluten sensitivity and discuss recent advances in the diagnosis and understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying neurological dysfunction related to gluten sensitivity.
GAD antibody-associated neurological illness and its relationship to gluten sensitivity. – Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 2010
Abstract
Background – The high prevalence of gluten sensitivity in patients with stiff-person syndrome (SPS) lead us to investigate the relationship between gluten sensitivity and GAD-antibody-associated diseases. Methods – We used ELISA assays for anti-GAD and for serological markers of gluten sensitivity. Patients were recruited from clinics based at the Royal Hallamshire hospital, Sheffield, UK. Patients with gluten sensitivity were followed up after the introduction of a gluten-free diet and serological testing was repeated. Results – Six of seven (86%) patients with SPS were positive for anti-GAD, mean titre 109 U/ml; This compared with 9/90 (11%) patients with idiopathic sporadic ataxia, mean titre 32 U/ml, 16/40 (40%) patients with gluten ataxia, mean titre 25 U/ml, and 6/10 patients with type 1 diabetes only, mean titre 8 U/ml. None of 32 patients with celiac disease only, and of 40 patients with genetic ataxia were positive for anti-GAD. The titre of anti-GAD reduced following the introduction of a gluten-free diet in patients with SPS who had serological evidence of gluten sensitivity. The same was observed in patients with gluten ataxia and anti-GAD antibodies. This was also associated with clinical improvement. Conclusion – These findings suggest a link between gluten sensitivity and GAD antibody-associated diseases.
Genetic and immunological processes in the pathomechanism of gluten-sensitive enteropathy and associated metabolic bone disorders – Orvosi Hetelap, 2010
Abstract
Celiac disease or gluten-sensitive enteropathy is the most common disease of jejunum, leading to malabsorption. It is an immune mediated disease induced by gluten at the presence of genetic predisposition. After gluten exposition, immune processes are induced by T-cell mediation causing typical intestinal and extra intestinal manifestations. The diagnosis of celiac disease is still set up on the result of jejunal biopsy and detecting of antibodies against endomysium and tissue transglutaminase. From genetic aspect, association with HLA DQ2/DQ8 is identified in celiac disease. On a strict gluten-free diet, the clinical, histological and serological results improve and remission of accompanying diseases may be achieved. In the etiopathogenesis of celiac disease several genetic and immunological mechanisms have been recognized in recent years. Connected to the accompanying diseases, more reviews have been issued about the bone metabolic changes and less about the inflammatory join disorders. In the present work, the authors review literature data that reveal common background from both immunological and genetic aspects.
Gluten sensitivity: from gut to brain – Lancet Neurology, 2010
Abstract
Gluten sensitivity is a systemic autoimmune disease with diverse manifestations. This disorder is characterised by abnormal immunological responsiveness to ingested gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. Coeliac disease, or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is only one aspect of a range of possible manifestations of gluten sensitivity. Although neurological manifestations in patients with established coeliac disease have been reported since 1966, it was not until 30 years later that, in some individuals, gluten sensitivity was shown to manifest solely with neurological dysfunction. Furthermore, the concept of extraintestinal presentations without enteropathy has only recently become accepted. In this Personal View, we review the range of neurological manifestations of gluten sensitivity and discuss recent advances in the diagnosis and understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying neurological dysfunction related to gluten sensitivity.
Gluten sensitivity: an emerging issue behind neurological impairment? – Lancet Neurology, 2010
Abstract
Not Available
Gluten-free diet and steroid treatment are effective therapy for most patients with collagenous sprue. – Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2010
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Collagenous sprue (CS) is characterized by the presence of a distinctive band of subepithelial collagen deposition in the small bowel. We evaluated the clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of patients with CS.
METHODS: Thirty patients with CS were identified at the 3 Mayo Clinic sites between 1993 and 2009. Clinical data from medical records were reviewed.
RESULTS: The study cohort was 70% female (age range, 53-91 years). Most patients had severe diarrhea and weight loss. Hospitalization to treat dehydration was necessary in 16 (53%) patients. Associated immune-mediated diseases were noted in 70% of the patients; celiac disease was the most frequent. Other associated diseases were microscopic colitis, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune enteropathy. The median thickness of the layer of subepithelial collagen deposition in the small bowel was 29 mum (20-56.5 mum). Subepithelial collagen deposition in the colon or stomach was noted in 8 patients. A clinical response was observed in 24 (80%) patients after treatment with a combination of a gluten-free diet and immunosuppressive drugs. Histologic improvement was confirmed in 9 patients, with complete remission in 5. Two patients died (1 of complications of CS and 1 of another illness).
CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with CS are treated effectively with a combination of gluten-free diet and steroids. CS is often associated with collagen deposition or chronic inflammation in other segments of the gastrointestinal tract as well as other immune-mediated disorders.
Gluten sensitivity in multiple sclerosis: experimental myth or clinical truth? – Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2010
Abstract
Patients with neurological disease of unknown etiology sometimes present with antigliadin and antitissue transglutaminase antibodies. The association between these antibodies and multiple sclerosis has been previously suggested. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of these antibodies in multiple sclerosis patients. We determined the level of serum immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G antigliadin and antitissue transglutaminase antibodies in 98 patients with multiple sclerosis. We found a highly significant increase in titers of immunoglobulin G antibodies against gliadin and tissue transglutaminase in the multiple sclerosis patients. Seven patients had a positive IgG AGA, whereas only 2 controls presented positive titers (P = 0.03). Four patients had positive IgG anti-tTG while all the controls tested negative (P = 0.02). However, immunoglobulin A antibodies against gliadin and tissue transglutaminase were not statistically higher in the multiple sclerosis group in comparison to the control group. Our findings support the associations between antibodies against gliadin and tissue transglutaminase to multiple sclerosis. The specific role of these antibodies in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis remains uncertain and requires additional research. A gluten free diet should be considered in specific cases of patients who present with gluten antibodies.
Novel immune response to gluten in individuals with schizophrenia. – Schizophrenia Research, 2010
Abstract
A link between celiac disease and schizophrenia has been postulated for several years, based primarily on reports of elevated levels of antibody to gliadin in patients. We sought to examine the proposed connection between schizophrenia and celiac disease by characterizing the molecular specificity and mechanism of the anti-gliadin immune response in a subset of individuals with schizophrenia. Blood samples from individuals with schizophrenia and elevated anti-gliadin antibody titer were examined for celiac disease-associated biomarkers, including antibodies to transglutaminase 2 (TG2) enzyme and deamidated gliadin peptides, as well as the HLA-DQ2 and -DQ8 MHC genes. The anti-gliadin antibody response was further characterized through examination of reactivity towards chromatographically separated gluten proteins. Target proteins of interest were identified by peptide mass mapping. In contrast to celiac disease patients, an association between the anti-gliadin immune response and anti-TG2 antibody or HLA-DQ2 and -DQ8 markers was not found in individuals with schizophrenia. In addition, the majority of individuals with schizophrenia and anti-gliadin antibody did not exhibit antibody reactivity to deamidated gliadin peptides. Further characterization of the antibody specificity revealed preferential reactivity towards different gluten proteins in the schizophrenia and celiac disease groups. These findings indicate that the anti-gliadin immune response in schizophrenia has a different antigenic specificity from that in celiac disease and is independent of the action of transglutaminase enzyme and HLA-DQ2/DQ8. Meanwhile, the presence of elevated levels of antibodies to specific gluten proteins points to shared immunologic abnormalities in a subset of schizophrenia patients. Further characterization and understanding of the immune response to gluten in schizophrenia may provide novel insights into the etiopathogenesis of specific disease phenotypes.
Nervous system in the gluten syndrome: a close relationship. – Medical Hypotheses, 2010
Abstract
Not Available
Gluten sensitivity presenting as myoclonic epilepsy with cerebellar syndrome. – Movement Disorders, 2009
Abstract
Not Available
Gluten encephalopathy with psychiatric onset – Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health, 2009
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Many cases of coeliac disease, a gastrointestinal autoimmune disorder caused by sensitivity to gluten, can remain in a subclinical stage or undiagnosed. In a significant proportion of cases (10-15%) gluten intolerance can be associated with central or peripheral nervous system and psychiatric disorders.A 38-year-old man was admitted as to our department an inpatient for worsening anxiety symptoms and behavioural alterations. After the addition of second generation antipsychotic to the therapeutic regimen, the patient presented neuromotor impairment with high fever, sopor, leukocytosis, raised rhabdomyolysis-related indicators. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome was strongly suspected. After worsening of his neuropsychiatric conditions, with the onset of a frontal cognitive deficit, bradykinesia and difficulty walking, dysphagia, anorexia and hypoferraemic anaemia, SPET revealed a reduction of cerebral perfusion and ENeG results were compatible with a mainly motor polyneuropathy. Extensive laboratory investigations gave positive results for anti-gliadin antibodies, and an appropriate diet led to a progressive remission of the encephalopathy.
Gluten sensitivity enteropathy in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. – BMC Gastroenterology, 2009
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE) is an autoimmune enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten-containing grains in susceptible individuals. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) may be the sole manifestation of GSE. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of gluten sensitivity enteropathy (GSE) in a large group of patients with RAS and assess the efficacy of gluten free diet (GFD) on the improvement of aphthous lesions in those who were diagnosed with GSE.
METHODS: Two hundred and forty seven patients with RAS were included. The patients had at least three aphthous attacks per year. Patients were screened by IgA anti-endomysial antibody (EMA), IgA anti tissue transglutaminase (TTG) and serum IgA level. Those with a positive serology underwent endoscopic biopsies of the duodenal mucosa and patients with negative serology were excluded. The diagnosis of GSE was based on a positive serological test and abnormal duodenal histology. For patients with GSE, gluten free diet was recommended.
RESULTS: Six out of 247 RAS patients had positive TTG test alone, and one had positive EMA and TTG. All 7 patients with positive serologic tests underwent duodenal biopsies. Histological findings were compatible with GSE in all of them (Marsh I in four patients, Marsh II in two patients and Marsh IIIB in one another.). The mean age of GSE patients was 27.42 +/- 10.56 (range, 13 to 40) years old. They were suffering from RAS for an average duration of 4.5 years. All of the 7 GSE patients had not responded to the routine anti-aphthae medications, including topical corticosteroids, tetracycline and colchicine. Four patients who adhered to a strict gluten-free diet showed noticeable improvement in their aphthous lesions over a period of 6 months.
CONCLUSION: A significant minority (e.g. 2.83%) of RAS patients have GSE. This could be compared with the 0.9% prevalence of GSE in the general population of Iran. This study suggests that evaluation for celiac disease is appropriate in patients with RAS. Additionally, the unresponsiveness to conventional anti-aphthae treatment could be an additional risk indicator.
The gluten syndrome: a neurological disease. – Medical Hypotheses, 2009
Abstract
Hypothesis: Gluten causes symptoms, in both celiac disease and non-celiac gluten-sensitivity, by its adverse actions on the nervous system. Many celiac patients experience neurological symptoms, frequently associated with malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. These neurological symptoms can present in celiac patients who are well nourished. The crucial point, however, is that gluten-sensitivity can also be associated with neurological symptoms in patients who do not have any mucosal gut damage (that is, without celiac disease). Gluten can cause neurological harm through a combination of cross reacting antibodies, immune complex disease and direct toxicity. These nervous system affects include: dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, cerebella ataxia, hypotonia, developmental delay, learning disorders, depression, migraine, and headache. If gluten is the putative harmful agent, then there is no requirement to invoke gut damage and nutritional deficiency to explain the myriad of the symptoms experienced by sufferers of celiac disease and gluten-sensitivity. This is called “The Gluten Syndrome”.
Gluten sensitivity in patients with IgA nephropathy. – Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantaiton, 2009
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coeliac disease is more frequent in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients compared to the healthy population. Several hypotheses postulate that food antigens like gluten may be involved in the onset of IgAN.
METHODS: In this study, we used a recently developed mucosal patch technique to evaluate the rectal mucosal inflammatory reaction to gluten in patients with IgAN (n = 27) compared to healthy subjects (n = 18). The rectal mucosal production of nitric oxide (NO) and release of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) were measured. Serum samples were analysed for IgA and IgG antigliadin antibodies (AGA), IgA antibodies against tissue transglutaminase and IgA endomysium antibodies.
RESULTS: Gluten reactivity, defined as increase in MPO and/or NO after gluten exposure, was observed in 8 of 27 IgAN patients. The prevalence of HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 was not increased among gluten-sensitive patients, and the total prevalence among IgAN patients was the same as for the normal population. An elevated serum IgA AGA response was seen in 9 of 27 IgAN patients. The increase in IgA AGA did not correlate with the gluten sensitivity as measured by NO and/or MPO. A specific serum IgG AGA response was seen in one patient only. Antibodies against tissue transglutaminase and endomysium were not observed.
CONCLUSION: It is concluded that approximately one-third of our IgAN patients have a rectal mucosal sensitivity to gluten, but without signs of coeliac disease, and we hypothesize that such sub-clinical inflammation to gluten might be involved in the pathogenesis of IgAN in a subgroup of patients.
Schizophrenia, gluten, and low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diets: a case report and review of the literature. – Nutrition & Metabolism, 2009
Abstract
ABSTRACT: We report the unexpected resolution of longstanding schizophrenic symptoms after starting a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet. After a review of the literature, possible reasons for this include the metabolic consequences from the elimination of gluten from the diet, and the modulation of the disease of schizophrenia at the cellular level.
Hippocampal sclerosis in refractory temporal lobe epilepsy is associated with gluten sensitivity. – Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 2009
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have associated coeliac disease (CD) and gluten sensitivity (defined as the presence of anti-gliadin antibodies and positive immunogenetics) with cerebellar degeneration and epilepsy with occipital calcifications. Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a potentially progressive disorder with unknown aetiology; however, autoimmunity has been implicated as one of the possible mechanisms leading to HS. The purpose of this study is to analyze CD-associated antibodies and gluten sensitivity in a well-characterised group of patients with refractory focal epilepsy.
METHODS: We measured anti-gliadin, anti-tissue-transglutaminase and anti-endomysium antibodies, and coeliac-type human leukocyte antigen (DQ2 and DQ8), in 48 consecutive patients with therapy-resistant, localisation-related epilepsy. The patients were categorised into the following three groups on the basis of ictal electro-clinical characteristics and the findings of high resolution MRI: TLE with HS (n = 16), TLE without HS (n = 16) and extratemporal epilepsy (n = 16). Patients with suspected CD or gluten sensitivity underwent duodenal biopsies.
RESULTS: Seven patients in total were gluten sensitive; all of these patients fell in the TLE with HS group. On the other hand, none of the TLE without HS patients or those with extratemporal epilepsy were gluten sensitive (p<0.0002). The results of duodenal biopsies showed that three of the seven gluten-sensitive patients had histological evidence of CD and four had inflammatory changes consistent with early CD without villous atrophy. Four of the patients with gluten sensitivity had evidence of dual pathology (HS+another brain lesion), whereas none of the remaining patients did (p<0.0002).
CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates a previously unrecognised link between gluten sensitivity and TLE with HS. This association was very robust in this well-characterised group of patients; thus gluten sensitivity should be added to the list of potential mechanisms leading to intractable epilepsy and HS.
Relapsing acute pancreatitis associated with gluten enteropathy. – Revista Espanola de Enfermedades Digestivas (Spanish Review of Digestive Diseases)
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the frequency and the clinical and laboratory characteristics of relapsing acute pancreatitis (AP) associated with gluten enteropathy (GE).
PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively examined all acute pancreatitis cases admitted to our Department in 2006. We recorded a total of 185 patients. With recurring forms, 40 (22%) in all, we used a clinical-lab protocol including serologic and genetic markers, and duodenal biopsy to rule out GE.
RESULTS: A total of 34 patients (18%) met clinical-biological criteria for GE (group1), and were compared to the remaining non-GE AP cases (n=161) (group2). Mean age in the GE group was 54 +/- 25 years, slightly younger than group 2 (61 +/- 14) (NS). There was a mild predominance of women (50%) in group 1 versus group 2 (38.5%) (NS). Seven patients in group 1 (20%) had severe AP, as compared to 27 (17%) in group 2 (NS). The presence of cholelithiasis in group 1 involved 6 cases (18%), which was significantly lower than in group 2–72 cases (45%) (p < 0.05). Four patients with GE developed pseudocysts (12%) versus 13 (8%) in group 2 (NS). Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) was elevated only in 3 patients (9%). Nine patients (34%) were DQ2 (+) and 4 (12%) DQ8 (+); the rest (54%) were all negative for both markers. From an endoscopic perspective there was diffuse duodenitis in 32 patients (95%). Duodenal biopsies revealed villous atrophy (Marsh 3) in 2 patients (6%); submucosal inflammatory infiltration (Marsh 2) in 10 (29.4%); increased intraepithelial lymphocytes (Marsh 1) in 8 cases (23.5%), and normal mucosa (Marsh 0) in 14 patients (41.2%). Response to GFD after 1 year was excellent in 30 patients (88%).
CONCLUSIONS: Relapsing AP with GE represents a relatively common association that is indistinguishable from other APs from a clinical-evolutive standpoint, except for a lower presence of cholelithiasis (p < 0.05). A specific diagnostic protocol is much needed in the identification of these patients since GFD is the only effective therapy to prevent new AP events from developing.
Autoantibodies in gluten ataxia recognize a novel neuronal transglutaminase. – Annals of Neurology, 2008
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Gluten sensitivity typically presents as celiac disease, a chronic, autoimmune-mediated, small-intestinal disorder. Neurological disorders occur with a frequency of up to 10% in these patients. However, neurological dysfunction can also be the sole presenting feature of gluten sensitivity. Development of autoimmunity directed toward different members of the transglutaminase gene family could offer an explanation for the diversity in manifestations of gluten sensitivity. We have identified a novel neuronal transglutaminase isozyme and investigated whether this enzyme is the target of the immune response in patients with neurological dysfunction.
METHODS: Using recombinant human transglutaminases, we developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and inhibition assays to analyze serum samples of patients with gluten-sensitive gastrointestinal and neurological disorders, and various control groups including unrelated inherited or immune conditions for the presence and specificity of autoantibodies.
RESULTS: Whereas the development of anti-transglutaminase 2 IgA is linked with gastrointestinal disease, an anti-transglutaminase 6 IgG and IgA response is prevalent in gluten ataxia, independent of intestinal involvement. Such antibodies are absent in ataxia of defined genetic origin or in healthy individuals. Inhibition studies showed that in those patients with ataxia and enteropathy, separate antibody populations react with the two different transglutaminase isozymes. Furthermore, postmortem analysis of brain tissue showed cerebellar IgA deposits that contained transglutaminase 6.
INTERPRETATION: Antibodies against transglutaminase 6 can serve as a marker in addition to human leukocyte antigen type and detection of anti-gliadin and anti-transglutaminase 2 antibodies to identify a subgroup of patients with gluten sensitivity who may be at risk for development of neurological disease.
Gluten ataxia. – Cerebellum, 2008
Abstract
Gluten ataxia is an immune-mediated disease triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all patients with idiopathic sporadic ataxia. Early diagnosis and treatment with a gluten free diet can improve ataxia and prevent its progression. Readily available and sensitive markers of gluten ataxia include antigliadin antibodies. IgA deposits against TG2 in the small bowel and at extraintestinal sites are proving to be additional reliable and perhaps more specific markers of the whole spectrum of gluten sensitivity. They may also hold the key to its pathogenesis.
Neuromyelitis optica in patients with gluten sensitivity associated with antibodies to aquaporin-4. – Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 2008
Abstract
Not Available
Association of DLG5 variants with gluten-sensitive enteropathy. – Gut, 2008
Abstract
Not Available
Again, thanks for researching and compiling all this, Andrew. I don't have any intestinal or neurological disorder or symptoms, so I am not worried about gluten in my diet at this point. My husband has cancer (sarcoma) and someone we barely know is always telling me that it's probably gluten-related. I have yet to see scientific, objective studies that link gluten and cancer but if they're out there, I hope someone will point me to them. I can believe that gluten is the basis for some disorders, where the science makes the link evident (as above), but I do get tired of hearing that gluten is the devil and the root cause of most diseases and disorders, without objective studies to show that this is so. And today I read that rice has high levels of arsenic in it, especially brown rice grown in the U.S. (http://thedartmouth.com/2010/09/24/news/arsenic), which I believe is a substitute grain for some people who are gluten-free. What CAN we eat?
Like the majority of the gluten research out there, these are celiac specific, but they're the only references I could find to cancer and gluten…
Gluten-free diet, chromosomal abnormalities, and cancer risk in coeliac disease. -2004
Cancer in children with celiac disease. Gluten-sensitive enteropathy in a boy operated for Wilms tumour – 2002
You’re welcome. It’s been on my to-do list so I’m happy to cross it off the list.
I agree that – the idea of going gluten free will cure and prevent all diseases – is misguided. At the same time, the more gluten is researched, the more we discover it can at best (and only maybe) be characterized as neutral, and at worst, significantly harmful. The only studies that have anything positive to say about wheat are that it tastes good and gluten makes bread nice and stretchy.
Humans are psychologically biased to need to understand things. In the case of disease or illness, that’s lead to a long history of jumping to conclusions. The link between gluten and autism is one of the more politicized examples of this. The studies I filtered out of this list go back and forth on the issue. I haven’t seen any in reference to cancer.
What I ponder about consuming gluten is that the neurological and autoimmune impacts may not be as easy to self-diagnose as we think. If an individual has low-grade, chronic inflammation from gluten, but has been consuming it since infancy, there’s no way for that person to know any difference without going gluten free for weeks (at least).
Further (and this is highly speculative so I’m not arguing the point), if we find out in our 20s, 40s, or 90s that we’ve had chronic inflammation our entire lives, it’s possible that the inflammation caused permanent damage during in vitro or child development. Perhaps we feel fine, but 11.7 points have been shaved off our IQ. That’s hard to answer, but in light of these other studies, it should be asked.
For further info on what to eat and how to think about gluten, I’ve added a couple links right above the comments.
I'd like to point out my article on the subject of cancer and gluten grains:
Hoggan R. Considering wheat, rye, and barley proteins as aids to carcinogens. Med Hypotheses. 1997 Sep;49(3):285-8.
And subsequent articles about the use of opioid blockers, with and without immune system enhancers, have reversed malignancies:
1. Berkson BM, Rubin DM, Berkson AJ. Reversal of signs and symptoms of a B-cell lymphoma in a patient using only low-dose naltrexone. Integr Cancer Ther. 2007 Sep;6(3):293-6
2. Berkson BM, Rubin DM, Berkson AJ. Revisiting the ALA/N (alpha-lipoic acid/low-dose naltrexone) protocol for people with metastatic and nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer: a report of 3 new cases. Integr Cancer Ther. 2009 Dec;8(4):416-22. Erratum in: Integr Cancer Ther. 2010 Jun;9(2):247.
3. Molla Hassan AT, Hassan ZM, Moazzeni SM, Mostafaie A, Shahabi S, Ebtekar M, Hashemi SM. Naloxone can improve the anti-tumor immunity by reducing the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in BALB/c mice. Int Immunopharmacol. 2009 Nov;9(12):1381-6. Epub 2009 Aug 23.
At this juncture, there should be little doubt that gluten exorphins down-regulate NK cells opening the door to malignancy. Similarly, low dose opioid blocker regimens should be used to reverse this process among patients with cancer and alternative medications to alleviate pain should be provided.
Best Wishes,
Ron Hoggan, Ed. D.
co-author: Dangerous Grains ISBN: 978158333-129-3 http://www.dangerousgrains.com
author: The Iron Edge: a complete guide for meeting your iron needs ISBN: 978-0-9736284-4-9 http://tiny.cc/ironedge
author: Smarten Up! ISBN: 978-0-9736284-3-2 http://www.smartenup.info
editor: Journal of Gluten Sensitivity http://www.celiac.com
editor: Cereal Killers http://tiny.cc/s7neg
Thanks Ron. To add another line of inquiry… there is also research afoot examining links between ketogenic diets and cancer. Ketogenic diets typically tend to be proxies for accidentally going gluten free so it's worth looking at research relating to them as well. It's possible that reduction in glucose consumption (and gluconeogenesis) and the absence of gluten may both be in play simultaneously.
The calorically restricted ketogenic diet, an effective alternative therapy for malignant brain cancer
Here’s another one:
http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/07853890.2010.514285
Yes… There are a TON if you start looking at studies focusing on celiac disease and/or autism. That iceberg is way too big for me to begin to tackle! 🙂
I switched to a paleo diet for other reasons about 10 months ago. Within a few days I stopped having abdominal pain that I’d gotten so used to that I learned to ignore it. A couple of months ago I made the mistake of falling back into a diet with wheat and gluten. I’m back to having abdominal pain; though it’s even worse now than it was before (or is it just because I got used to NOT having it there?). I’ve started back onto a paleo diet as of 2 days ago, and I’m hopeful that the abdominal pains will disappear again.
Brandon! Good to hear from you again!
If the pain is stomach related and or something like GERD, you might also try eliminating nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, etc.). They tend to tear up digestion and cause problems earlier in the process than gluten. They’re also “New World” neolithic, and thus, not paleo.
I recently tricked someone into going paleo for reasons similar to those you describe. The gluten didn’t solve it (though she happily felt better and lost weight in the process), but cutting out tomatoes and peppers did the trick.
Thanks Andrew! I'll keep those in mind.
Hey,
Hey man, I went paleo / primal when I got back from Thailand at the start of the year. Cool to see you are into it as well.
It makes sense on so many levels.
An excellent resource and reference. I had to RT this on twitter.
Thanks again.
Darryl.
Excellent post. I am gluten sensitive and have been gluten free x7yrs and grain free x2yrs. When I went gluten free it was amazing how many health problems disappeared or improved. I can give you the whole list if you want 😉
Brandon – you say you experienced worse symptoms when you ate gluten again. This is a well known phenomena to the gluten sensitive community. If I get even the smallest trace of gluten, many of my neurological problems return for a few days. It is like we become hypersensitive to gluten and I don't think anyone knows why this occurs.
A great resource is The Gluten File http://www.theglutenfile.com It is a collection of articles and abstracts about celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, getting diagnosed, associated diseases and nutritional concerns. There is an excellent section on neurological problems.
Thanks for jumping in, Anne! I saw your plug for this post over on the Gluten Free and Beyond forum. Thanks for spreading the love! …Much appreciated.
I went gluten free first, and stumbled upon paleo in reading an otherwise unrelated book about triathlon training. They're a naturally perfect fit! …and the logic of evolutionary biology (paleo) predicts/explains why gluten sensitivity is likely in humans.
Great summary of the research and one I totally agree with! Will bookmark this page for the references!
[…] out this article from Evolivify making a case against gluten for everyone. I like their use of the old timey bike. Anyway, the article has a bunch of different medical […]
Jesus this is overwhelming.
And lovely.
I'm impressed.
I'm going to look into this more.
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[…] For those who want to see more evidence – a large selection of study abstracts is collected here: The Case Against Gluten: For Everyone […]
I have been gluten free since April 2007. I had a myriad of symptoms that I had had for many years, and thought of as "just normal" for me. When my cousin was diagnosed with celiac, he sent out an email to all of his family members, detailing his symptoms and diagnosis. I clearly saw myself in that email, and decided to go gluten free to see if I would feel better. I was only trying to get rid of my intestinal problems, but when I went gluten free, my periphial neuropathy symptoms disappeared, my feet and legs quit hurting, my head quit hurting, and many other things improved. I know that there are people who get tired of hearing about the gluten free diet, but for some of us, it isn't just a fad–it is what we need to be healthy and feel better every day. Yes, wheat does taste good, and I would love to just be able to get a biscuit or a hamburger at any fast food place when I am traveling, but I know if I do, I am going to suffer for it. Not worth it to me.
What really bothers me is that one grandson has been diagnosed with tourette's syndrome, another has some learning disabilities, and one has ADD. I have offered to send cases of gluten free foods so that my daughter and my son could at least try changing their children's diets, but my daughter actually said to me "Do you know how hard it is to eat gluten free?" I couldn't believer she would even ask me that. I have stopped asking, stopped trying to change things, but wouldn't it be better to at least give a change in diet a chance before putting your kid on medication?
[…] grains and bread daily – then daily you body is trying to compensate for the literal “wack job” that the grains anti-nutrients are attacking it […]
Wow – thanks for the internet scouring you did to collect this – a *great* resource in many ways –
our community has recently dropped grains and are now firmly lacto-paleo and digging the results –
as you say – watch out for your wheat stocks portfolio!
Ravi
Discoveries for a Full Life http://daiasolgaia.wordpress.com/
[…] grains and bread daily – then daily you body is trying to compensate for the literal “wack job” (and wack job #2 here) that the grains anti-nutrients and gluten are attacking it […]
[…] There are numerous advances in knowledge since this original research was done in the 1920′ and 1930′s. The detrimental elements in grains have been identified and studied: Phytates (phytic acid) that bind up essential nutrients and minerals in the digestive tract, the damaging effects of even small amounts of WGA (wheat germ aglutinin) in the lining of the digestive tract and the unfolding saga of gluten itself and how it impacts more than just those with identified celiac disease (see this growing list of studies here). […]
[…] The detrimental elements in grains (in all grains to some degree) have been identified and studied: Phytates (phytic acid) that bind up essential nutrients and minerals in the digestive tract, the damaging effects of even small amounts of WGA (wheat germ aglutinin) in the lining of the digestive tract and the unfolding saga of gluten itself and how it impacts more than just those with identified celiac disease (see this growing list of gluten sensitivity studies here). […]
[…] Read the whole thing and I promise you’ll look at bread like poison from now on. And then go read this (look at all that research!) to really cement the severity of the situation. From the studies […]
[…] Supporting medical literature March 30th, 2011 in Uncategorized […]
[…] The case against gluten › LikeBe the first to like this post. […]
[…] Read the whole thing and I promise you’ll look at bread like poison from now on. And then go read this (look at all that research!) to really cement the severity of the situation. From the studies […]
[…] leading cause of death. Andrew Badenoch of evolvify assembles a lit of papers showing evidence that gluten is harmful to non-celiacs. J. Stanton of gnolls.org explains why snacking makes you […]
It is hard to eat gluten free . But also hard to be sick because you ate it. Pick your hard !
[…] TONS of abstracts and summaries on why gluten is bad for people: The Case Against Gluten: Medical Journal References […]
[…] Full Article: The Case Against Gluten: For Everyone […]
This is an excellent overview of the literature.
I had none of the symptoms of gluten intolerance. My only health problem was my inability to lose weight. Out went gluten (and the rest of grains) and off went the pounds! 30lbs so far, hope it to be more.
I am beginning to think there is nothing that won't get better by getting of grains (hence my website http://www.nograinconvert.com)
Doctor Z http://www.nograinconvert.com
I believe in being healthy but there are extremes too. My ex wife feels that our daughter is not skinny enough and she is 5'10" and 120 pounds. The main reason she feels it is 'medically necessary" to have our daughter on this wheat gluten free diet is because her brain will work faster…hmmmmm. By the way our daughter has moderate retardation or brain damage already and is not likely to break the ground of scientists and become a teacher. I love my daughter to pieces and feel that stifiling her with a chicken and broccoli diet that my ex has her on is insane for a 15 year teen. Its ludicrous because all the allergy panels done don't show any allergies. Jason
Its the fanatic homepathic doctors that have my ex and her family believing that if you cut back on everything gluten that our child will get her brain back to normal and will be normal again. What the heck! Is that insane or what?! I believe in watching the sugars and eating out at fast food establishments everyday but really she can't have a sub sandwhich without being told you can't have that. Unrealistic! I thought my two pieces would be worth saying. By the way I was behind working on the homeopathics for over 10+ years of my daughters life but what I see is very limited in the advice to eat gluten free and my daughter is mentally "slower" when not having the food then without it.
Jason additional comment
This is such crap! All of your research studies are about people who are gluten senstive or intolerant. None of them are about people who AREN’T. Bottom Line: talk to your physician. You can’t self-diagnose, and if you’re not gluten sensitive, there is NO reason to avoid it. Another sad case of media sensationalism….poor showing, Andrew – you’re contributing to the media hype. But for those people who are gluten senstive or have celiac disease, check out http://www.glutenfree.com!!!
This comment perfectly represents outdated understandings of gluten’s negative impact on human health. The advice to “talk to your physician” is simply bad. Researchers in the field in 2012 do not even fully understand the extent of the problems caused by gluten. Guiding people to practitioners, many of whom received their training in the 70s and 80s, is naive at best.
Reactions to gluten are not a binary “you have it or you don’t” thing… it’s a spectrum, and presents in ways very different from the paradigm you’re steeped in. This post is over a year old, and in that time, MORE research has been published that supports my position and relegates your position to the cloudy past.
I disagree with your “talk to your
physician” comment. I have struggled for ten years with horrible symptoms
that have disappeared with my gluten-free diet. I have seen two physicians,
two Rheumatologist, two neurologist and not one of them every suggested a
gluten sensitivity problem for my issues. I figured it out on my own. Never
underestimate a person’s ability to listen to their own body!!
[…] facing, and many of them are even doing so voluntarily. There are now an abundant number of articles and studies on why people from all walks of life, not just celiac patients or those with extreme gluten […]
[…] also found the post below on Evolvify with a LONG list of clinical studies looking at gluten being implicated in all sorts of things. […]
I was diagnosed with NHL (non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) 2 years ago this October. Two months after the diagnosis, I went gluten free…and not only did an array of symptoms disappear, but my largest tumor shrank. A lot! I have a family history of varied auto-immune disorders…and I am really quite convinced that my gluten intolerance led to lymphoma. I do not have celiacs & was “tested” for that. I just wish there was more testing on this connection between cancer and gluten intolerance. Most oncologists that I have spoken to are simply not that convinced of this causality. I know that I feel entirely different going gluten free…and I feel (as 52 years young) that I will beat this cancer, especially by not aggravating my immune system with an easily avoidable food group.
[…] grains and bread daily – then daily you body is trying to compensate for the literal “wack job” (and wack job #2 here) that the grains anti-nutrients and gluten are attacking it […]
[…] 7) Gluten Free I could care less about how ‘trendy’ this topic has become. And yes, most people going ‘gluten free’ are still eating ‘gluten free’ crap. I have been gluten free for almost 12 years, and there are many good reasons why most people may want to avoid it. The Case Against Gluten: For Everyone […]
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[…] their protein. The biggest offender in this category is gluten, found in wheat, barley, and rye. (1,2,3) There are other good ones too, like gliadin, another wheat protein that may trigger reward […]