Gluten sensitivity, once thought to cause primarily gastrointestinal problems, is now linked to a wider range of symptoms affecting various parts of the body. Increasingly, medical professionals are also recognizing the link between sensitivity to gluten and neurological damage, with some children exhibiting learning difficulties until they begin a gluten-free diet. Gluten reactions can cause physical and mental problems even without any visible damage to the digestive tract, a phenomenon that continues to puzzle researchers. While their exact mechanism is yet to be understood, gluten reactions can have body-wide effects, making it a systemic toxin for some people.
Harmful inflammation
According to Dr. David Perlmutter, author of “Power Up Your Brain: The Neuroscience of Enlightenment,” gluten reactions activate specific genes in immune cells to create inflammatory chemicals called cytokines. These chemicals have a direct negative effect on brain function and have been linked to conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, autism, and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, cytokines can have detrimental effects on our cognitive abilities.
A body-wide toxin
The effect of gluten on the body varies significantly among individuals, further perplexing researchers trying to determine the exact mechanisms with which our organs respond to the substance. Aside from neurological effects, gluten can also affect our joints, thyroid, heart, and bones. Some people, unaware of the cause of their symptoms, may go years without realizing gluten sensitivity is to blame for issues like mental fogginess, tingling in the extremities, or constant fatigue.
Personal experiences
Many people who have given up gluten recount their experiences of memory problems, feelings of disorientation, and difficulty concentrating. Only after adopting a gluten-free diet did they notice improvements in their cognitive and physical well-being. Some even described experiencing hallucinations, rashes, and odd sensations before removing gluten from their lives.
A healthier lifestyle
Eliminating gluten from one’s diet may not be the magic solution for everyone, but for those with a sensitivity to it, the benefits can be significant. By cutting out foods that contain gluten — such as bread, pizza, cookies, rolls, beer, cereal, and processed foods — many people have found relief from a wide range of symptoms. For some, this means an improvement in overall cognitive function or the elimination of bothersome physical symptoms that had gone unexplained for years.
In conclusion, while the precise mechanisms of gluten sensitivity remain largely unknown, more and more evidence points to the fact that it can have a profound effect on various aspects of our health, particularly the nervous system. If you suspect you may have a sensitivity to gluten, it is worth considering a gluten-free diet to see if your symptoms improve. Even if the mad clowns of your mind depart and make bedtime a little duller, the comforting knowledge that you are freeing your body of a potential toxin could lead to a healthier and happier lifestyle.
