Scientists and medical researchers are sounding the alarm about the potential dangers gluten can have on the brain. Gluten can negatively affect an individual’s mental health, and some studies have found that children born to mothers with gluten sensitivities may be twice as likely to develop schizophrenia 25 years later.
For a long time, issues that stem from gluten found in wheat, barley, and rye, were believed to be primarily linked to digestion problems. However, current research indicates that gluten can also cause issues in the brain and the nervous system. The alarming factor is that people with these neurological issues don’t often report any stomach or intestinal symptoms.
One study examined the relationship between gluten and mental illness by analyzing birth records and blood samples from over 700 children born in Sweden between 1975 and 1985. Out of those children, over 200 developed psychoses such as schizophrenia or delusional disorders. Researchers found that mothers with gluten sensitivities were a lot more likely to give birth to children who later suffered from schizophrenia.
While scientists aren’t yet sure what links a mother’s gluten sensitivity to a child’s mental illness, the researchers believe their findings highlight the importance of maternal nutrition during pregnancy, and its long-term effects on children.
In addition to schizophrenia and delusional disorders, there are several other brain and neurological problems that could be linked to gluten. These include:
– Dementia: Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found significant improvements in the memory and cognitive abilities of some celiac patients after they followed a gluten-free diet.
– Migraine: A migraine headache can be the first sign of celiac disease, according to some studies.
– Nerve damage: As many as 50% of all celiac disease patients experience peripheral neuropathy, which is the deterioration of the nerves in the hands and feet, causing symptoms such as numbness, pain, and tingling.
– Difficulty walking: Gluten may cause gait ataxia, which affects an individual’s sense of balance, making it difficult to walk or even stand on one foot.
– Epilepsy: Epilepsy, particularly in children, is frequently linked to celiac disease.
– Autism: A Penn State study demonstrated that when parents of autistic children eliminated gluten and casein from their diets, the children’s behaviors and physical problems often improved.
Despite the danger that gluten presents to a large number of people, it remains pervasive throughout our food supply. As a result, many unsuspecting individuals might be ingesting gluten through seemingly “safe” food sources that are actually contaminated with gluten. For those who need to follow a gluten-free diet to maintain their mental health, the challenge of going gluten-free is worth the effort.
