Happiness with Gluten Elimination
Gluten-Free Diet Decreases Depression, Increases Mental Health
Feb 20, 2007
People with celiac disease have a severe sensitivity to gluten, the protein component in grains, including wheat, oats, rye, barley, spelt. Researchers are now linking this protein with the depression sometimes seen in people with celiac disease. It is also being linked with schizophrenia and ataxia, which is a balance related problem. Other autoimmune disorders affecting the nervous system and cognitive function are being connected to gluten, a very common component in the American diet.
Shake the Depression Gluten-Free
Gluten sensitivity has been linked with depression in teenagers. One study suggested that serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps us feel good is affected in adolescents with untreated celiac disease. The 2005 article entitled "Gluten-free diet may alleviate depressive and behavioral symptoms in adolescents with celiac disease" explained that this link to serotonin could account for the depression and behavioral problems seen in some people with gluten sensitivity.
Gluten Linked to Schizophrenia
Kalaydjian and other researchers have noted that schizophrenia, which affects roughly 1% of the population and is considered one of the top 10 causes of disability worldwide, is also linked with gluten. "A drastic reduction, if not full remission, of schizophrenic symptoms after initiation of gluten withdrawal has been noted in a variety of studies." This from a study published in the Acta Psychiatr Scand entitled, "The gluten connection: the association between schizophrenia and celiac disease."
Gluten Ataxia and Immune System Related Balance Problems
In one study with 12 people with idiopathic (no known reason) ataxia (loss of balance), gluten was found to be relevant in 8 cases. (Anheim, 2006 in Rev Neurology). Another study noted, "this finding strengthens the contention that gluten ataxia is immune mediated and belongs to the same spectrum of gluten sensitivity as celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis." (Hadjivassiliou, 2006 in Neurology). Another article in Internal Medicine noted, "gluten sensitivity is associated with multiple neurological abnormalities including gluten ataxia, motor neuron disease-like neuropathy, small fiber type neuropathy, cognitive impairment, and even parkinsonism.". Read the entire article here.
Gluten Sensitivity, Neuromyelitis Optica, Seizures and Peripheral Neuropathy
Once considered part of the spectrum of multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, is a clinical syndrome characterized by acute transverse myelitis plus an acute or subacute optic neuritis (inflammation of the nerves to the eye). Several neurological complications have been described associated with gluten sensitivity ranging from peripheral neuropathy and cerebellar ataxia to an increased risk of epilepsy, reported Jacob, 2005. The entire article is available here.
Gluten is found in many foods, breads, pasta, pizza but it is getting easier to find alternatives. Fresh fruits and vegetables are all gluten-free.
It is worth the effort to eat gluten-free foods for a happier, healthier life.
