FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE BLOG
Includes over 800 monographs reporting on emerging studies in the medical and scientific literature of practical clinical importance, easily searched for content.
Antigliadin antibodies harmful for brain at low levels
Antigliadin antibodies (AGA), a subset of anti-gluten antibodies, have been shown to be harmful to the brain at levels below the standard reference range in an important study on gluten ataxia (GA) published in the journal Nutrients. Gluten ataxia is a condition characterized by loss of balance due to cerebellar damage due to neuroinflammation provoked by gluten. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) can cause inflammation in the brian and central nervous with antibodies at lower levels than in celiac disease and in the absence of abdominal symptoms.
ALS and gluten sensitivity
In a study just published in JAMA Neurology, investigators report an association between some cases of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and gluten sensitivity.
Gluten intolerance acquired after gastroenteritis
Gluten intolerance can occur at any age due to a number of causes that contribute to loss of immune tolerance. The authors of a paper published recently in the journal Gastroenterology and Hepatology from Bed to Bench remind how a bout of viral or bacterial gastroenteritis can be the trigger.
Gluten free labeled foods not always gluten free
Gluten free labeling is, sadly, not a guarantee of safety for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity as demonstrated in a study recently published in the Journal of Food Protection.
Neuropsychiatric illness in non-celiac gluten sensitivity
Neuropsychiatric illness can result from neuroinflammation due to a variety of causes. Recent studies offer more evidence that depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders can be a manifestation of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. A paper published in Gastroenterology Research and Practice explores the pathophysiologic mechanisms by which gluten sensitivity can present as a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions in the absence of celiac disease.
Bipolar disorder and neuroinflammation
There is a massive amount of evidence supporting the importance of assessing and treating neuroinflammation in bipolar disorder and other neuropsychiatric illnesses. This makes necessarily the comprehensive examination of autoimmunity and its numerous underlying contributory causes.
Multiple sclerosis and gluten
Additional evidence that loss of tolerance to gluten can be a contributing cause in multiple sclerosis is offered in a study published in Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. This deserves reflection because many clinicians seem to disregard that non-celiac gluten sensitivity may present with no other symptoms.
Hyperexcitable brain syndrome and gluten
Hyperexcitable brain, with potentially severe consequences, is recognized as among the gluten-related autoiimmune neurological disorders... Practitioners should not underestimate the potential severity of gluten-associated neuroinflammation.
Neuropsychiatric illness, autoimmunity and the role of microbes
Neuropsychiatric illness often involves brain inflammation for which there may be an autoimmune origin. The authors of a paper* recently published in Current Opinion in Rheumatology set out to..."illustrate how microbes might participate in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric illness by triggering the production of autoantibodies that bind to brain targets."
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
Celiac disease is but one consequence of autoimmunity or autoinflammation triggered by gluten among a host of others better characterized by the term non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). The lack of standardization in terminology has obscured this fact, so two recent papers that help to clear the air are welcome.
Sublingual feverfew and ginger combination can abort a migraine
Sublingual feverfew and ginger combination can abort a migraine
Choice of breakfast staple impacts brain size and cognition in children
Choice of breakfast staple impacts brain size and cognition in children
Gluten sensitivity and childhood disorders of learning, behavior and development
Gluten sensitivity and childhood disorders of learning, behavior and development
Sensory ganglionopathy, another way gluten can damage the nervous system
Sensory ganglionopathy, another way gluten can damage the nervous system