For Amber Waves of Grain
 
Gluten Intolerance More and more, we see patients with symptoms of gluten intolerance. The symptoms are so variable, many people with gluten intolerance are diagnosed as hypochondriacs or misdiagnosed for years. Gluten, a complex mixture of proteins, is found in grains, including wheat, barley, and rye. Gliadin is a specific protein within gluten that has been proven toxic to sensitive individuals. Clinically, two types of gluten intolerance exist: Celiac Disease (CD) and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS). There was a time that Celiac Disease was considered the only form of gluten intolerance. If a person didn't exhibit the strict diagnostic measures for CD, then it was assumed gluten was not to blame. So why is a gliadin a problem? It turns out that there is an actual immune response to gliadin. This response results in damage to the tiny, finger-like projections, called microvilli, which cover the surface of the small intestine. The microvilli are essential for absorption of vital nutrients. Patients with CD, have an enzyme that exposes the toxicity of gliadin to the intestinal wall. On exposure, the immune systems “attacks” the gliadin, producing antibodies as well as other inflammatory agents. It is this attack that is responsible for the destruction (leading to flattening) of the microvilli and ultimately the malabsorption so common in CD. In NCGS there is inflammation and an overactive immune response present, though the microvilli may not be as dramatically affected as in CD. With both CD and NCGS, not only is gluten affecting the gut, but the latest research shows evidence of gluten as a neurotoxin. Interestingly, there are as many nerve endings in the intestines as in the brain. So gluten’s neurotoxicity is via its damaging effects on the intestines. A gluten-antibody complex is carried throughout the circulatory system signaling an inflammatory response. Along the way it disturbs multiple pathways, body functions, and eventually our brain and central nervous system. This accounts for the variable nature of complaints, i.e. mood, behavior, thought processes and sleep, to name a few. While there are hundreds of possible symptoms associated with CD and NCGS, we find the best diagnostic tool is elimination of gluten with a scheduled reintroduction. Ultimately, our goal is to repair the gut and restore normal function, possibly eliminating gluten intolerance totally. Find out what grains contain gluten: http://www.csaceliacs.org/gluten_grains.php http://www.csaceliacs.org/gluten_grains.phpshapeimage_2_link_0
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
 
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