(23-04-15) Gluten and inflammatory disorders of the brain and nervous system

by Dr. David Jockers

(NaturalNews) Gluten is the common protein molecule found in wheat, barley, rye, kamut and spelt. Gluten is a sticky, storage protein that binds to the small intestinal wall where it often causes digestive and immune system disorders. The most common condition associated with a gluten sensitivity is celiac disease where the small intestinal villi are flattened. However, the immune reaction that takes place with gluten sensitivity can affect many different tissues and when it does it is termed non-celiac, gluten sensitivity (NCGS). NCGS is an epidemic that is a major factor in inflammatory disorders of the brain and nervous system.

Studies have found associations between gluten sensitivity and disorders in every part of the neurological system including the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves (1). Gluten is a significant trigger in psychiatric disorders, movement disorders, sensory ganglionapathy, ataxia, neuromyelitis, multiple sclerosis, cerebellar disease, cognitive impairment, dementia, restless leg syndrome, migraines, apraxia, neuropathy, myoclonus, hearing loss and virtually every other neurological disorder (2,3,4, 5, 6).

For many individuals there immune system gets so overworked from gluten sensitivity and other environmental challenges such as toxins, parasites, vitamin D3 deficiencies and trauma that they can have severe immune reactions that last months after one provoked exposure. This means that consuming gluten on one day can cause an inflammatory assault that could last 2-3 months afterwards (5). This is why it is so critical to be as strict as possible when avoiding gluten and other inflammatory irritants.


The complexity of gluten sensitivity
Gluten is made up of a sticky portion called glutenin and a protein portion called gliadin. Gliadin can be broken down into alpha, omega and gamma gliadins. Most lab tests only look at alpha gliadin anti-bodies but this is only a very small component of the total molecule. Often times this lab comes back negative but the individual is reacting to some of the other components of the gluten molecule.

Glutenin gives wheat dough strength and elasticity and is very commonly used in the baking process do to these desirable characteristics. Many people have severe reactions to this molecule but it never shows up on the basic gliadin anti-body testing (6).

The food processing industry very often deamidates the gladin molecule to make it water soluble. Deamidated gliadin has been shown to trigger severe immune responses in many individuals. This never tests out for gliadin anti-bodies.


Gluten based opioids
When the body metabolizes gluten it creates opoids in the form of gluteomorphin. One can have a blood test to see if the body produces antibodies to gluteomorphin and the building block prodynorphin (7).

When someone has a opioid sensitivity going gluten free can cause severe withdrawal symptoms that are similar to coming off of opioid drugs such as heroin. These symptoms include depression, crazy mood swings, nausea and vomiting as well as abnormal bowel activity. This can often last anywhere from several days to weeks.


Cross-reactivity immunology & nervous system dysfunction
Immune cross reactivity happens when the immune system mistakes one protein for another. The gluten protein is similar to protein structures in the nervous system and the thyroid tissue. When the body creates anti-bodies for gluten it may also produce anti-bodies to the body's own nervous tissue or thyroid (9). This cross-reactive effect leads to damage to the brain, thyroid and other neurological tissue when the individual consumes anything with even the slightest bit of gluten.

The most common area of cross reactivity is through a family of proteins located on neurons called synapsin. These proteins help to regulate neurotransmitter release. This is most common in the cerebellum which can cause problems with vertigo, motor control, balance and anxiety (10).

Sources:
1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

5) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

6) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

7) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

8) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

9) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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