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    Jefferson Adams
    Jefferson Adams

    Gluten Tied to Schizophrenia

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    Celiac.com 04/29/2009 - A team of researchers based at UK's prospective University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) have found a link between gluten and schizophrenia. According to their latest findings, proteins found in the gluten of wheat, rye and barley might play a role in triggering schizophrenia in people with a genetic risk for the condition, or in worsening symptoms in people who have the disease.

    The research team has been looking into the role played by gluten in schizophrenia and diabetes, as well as hunting for connections between the two disorders. Their research showed that the bodies of certain schizophrenia sufferers could not properly processes gluten, which led to tissue damage.

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    As a result of these and other findings, researchers now consider genetic risk factors, together with environmental triggers, to be central to development of both schizophrenia and diabetes. Gluten is one such example.

    According to senior researcher and reader in genetics, Dr. Jun Wei, more than one-third of all people with schizophrenia show "high levels of antibodies against wheat gluten," and may experience some improvement in symptoms with a gluten-free diet.

    Though the studies are still in their early stages, the hypothesis is encouraging, because, as noted by head of UHI department of diabetes and cardiovascular science, Prof Ian Megson, if it is correct, "a simple change in diet might prevent these diseases...in some individuals."

    The research is part of two comprehensive studies at UHI into the connections between schizophrenia and diabetes, and the role played by gluten, and is supported by a £300,000 grant from the Schizophrenia Association of Great Britain (SAGB).

    It would be interesting to see more research done on the connection between celiac disease and schizophrenia, as other studies have indicated that there is a link.


    Source: BBC News



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    Recommended Comments

    Guest Carol Lynde

    Posted

    I have believed this all along. I have seen what gluten does to a very dear relative of mine.

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    Guest Terrie Martin

    Posted

    I found an article years ago, with information on vitamin therapy and schizophrenia, it was fantastic, this should be looked at as a real cure, or a type care management. The medical community is so very slow to get the necessary resources out. What a shame for the people with this terrible problem.

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    Guest Jack Frost

    Posted

    My Mother had schizophrenia and never recovered.

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    Guest Rebecca Paul

    Posted

    I was amazed to read this article! My mother and two of her sisters are celiacs and have schizophrenia. I am also a celiac and fortunately have had no symptoms of schizophrenia, but suffer from depression and anxiety, another possible connection to celiac disease. I hope the doctors are paying attention to this issue.

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    Guest Dee

    Posted

    Interesting concept. I have type 1 diabetes (32 yrs.) and 2 yrs. ago was diagnosed with celiac disease however, not schizophrenia, thankfully. I suppose when hypoglycemia occurs, it may appear that way until the sugars are up! There is a link between diabetes and celiac disease due to the gastro track/digestive common areas however, I never heard of the schizophrenia link. I work in a field of mental health and autism (biochemical disorders) where step one to our patients is removing gluten and, often times, casein, the protein in milk products. I'll be very interested to follow this story when the ongoing research described is completed.

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    Guest Mark Carlson

    Posted

    Wouldn't it be nice if our health care system was actually 'health driven' rather than 'profit driven'? Scientific research has already shown that nutrition and mental illness often go hand in hand. For instance, the little known illness called Pyroluria, which is a simple nutritional deficiency, contributes to mental illness (and may be related to celiac disease). Just think - if we could just adjust a few nutritional deficiencies, many of these people could be cured or at least helped.

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    Guest Auroch

    Posted

    Two days without gluten or milk and I've stopped hallucinating and I actually feel like being nice to people. If you try to tell a doctor that you don't want their Risperdal and that their pills can't fix the problem they automatically say your psychotic for disagree with someone who has a MD. Anyone with schizophrenia who is tired of living in hell should try this, a 1/3 success rate is better than most meds. Why did science discover a hundred different anti-psychotics before this?

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    Guest Teresa

    Posted

    I have celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis and was able to convince my niece to be tested. Her test came back positive, however no one else in my family is interested in getting tested. My dad has terrible mood swings, alcoholism (there is a link to that as well), trouble relating to people and lactose intolerance. My sister has rhuematoid arthritis, anxiety, panic attacks, etc. and had a doctor tell her that she was crazy and needed to check herself into a mental hospital. Another sister has eczema and short stature, another sister has psoriasis, my younger brother has ADD and my older brother has schizophrenia and alcoholism and has been living homeless for years. He is now incarcerated. My life has changed dramatically since going gluten-free 2.5 years ago. I am convinced that this disease is running rampant through my family as well as many other families, and it is ruining lives. Just in the last 7 months I found my older brother, I hadn't seen him in 18 years, he just disappeared. His life is a mess and I can't help but believe that gluten is just eating his body and his mind. This is a sad epidemic. Having just found my brother I just found out about his schizophrenia. Something needs to be done, I am going to do everything I can to see that changes are made. I'm at the beginning of my journey but I am determined!

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    Guest Susanne

    Posted

    I have celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis and was able to convince my niece to be tested. Her test came back positive, however no one else in my family is interested in getting tested. My dad has terrible mood swings, alcoholism (there is a link to that as well), trouble relating to people and lactose intolerance. My sister has rhuematoid arthritis, anxiety, panic attacks, etc. and had a doctor tell her that she was crazy and needed to check herself into a mental hospital. Another sister has eczema and short stature, another sister has psoriasis, my younger brother has ADD and my older brother has schizophrenia and alcoholism and has been living homeless for years. He is now incarcerated. My life has changed dramatically since going gluten-free 2.5 years ago. I am convinced that this disease is running rampant through my family as well as many other families, and it is ruining lives. Just in the last 7 months I found my older brother, I hadn't seen him in 18 years, he just disappeared. His life is a mess and I can't help but believe that gluten is just eating his body and his mind. This is a sad epidemic. Having just found my brother I just found out about his schizophrenia. Something needs to be done, I am going to do everything I can to see that changes are made. I'm at the beginning of my journey but I am determined!

    Teresa,

     

    My son (22) is diagnosed with schizoaffective psychotic disorder. I am very curious about getting him allergy tested and talking him into trying gluten-free. He is in denial, yet he knows he's unhappy. I am wondering how far you have gotten with your research. My older brother and dad showed signs as well when I was growing up. Today, my older brother is mega-obese and hyper when we talk on the phone. I have dealt with depression especially bad as a child. I seem to have a grip on it now. B-12 Methylcobalimin 2000-5000 mcg. a day.

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    Guest Albert

    Posted

    I have celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis and was able to convince my niece to be tested. Her test came back positive, however no one else in my family is interested in getting tested. My dad has terrible mood swings, alcoholism (there is a link to that as well), trouble relating to people and lactose intolerance. My sister has rhuematoid arthritis, anxiety, panic attacks, etc. and had a doctor tell her that she was crazy and needed to check herself into a mental hospital. Another sister has eczema and short stature, another sister has psoriasis, my younger brother has ADD and my older brother has schizophrenia and alcoholism and has been living homeless for years. He is now incarcerated. My life has changed dramatically since going gluten-free 2.5 years ago. I am convinced that this disease is running rampant through my family as well as many other families, and it is ruining lives. Just in the last 7 months I found my older brother, I hadn't seen him in 18 years, he just disappeared. His life is a mess and I can't help but believe that gluten is just eating his body and his mind. This is a sad epidemic. Having just found my brother I just found out about his schizophrenia. Something needs to be done, I am going to do everything I can to see that changes are made. I'm at the beginning of my journey but I am determined!

    Gluten is a big business; therefore it is untouchable. The problem is that even sciences are dragged in it. There is no reliable test for gluten sensitivity. I am gluten free 22 years; without doctor's blessing. Years ego Dr Fasano published that human digesting system is not able process it. They can not develop test for gluten sensitivity. And I would bet whole quarter that it will be never developed; for simple reason. We are all sensitive to that stuff; some more; some less. Find a test is witch hunt, which leading to nowhere. In my long life I seen too much suffering and premature deaths. I am sloughing when I reading results of survey. They compare people diagnosed with celiac disease with "healthy" people. I am just wandering haw they declare anybody to be "healthy" when they can not prove with test. I asked this question few of specialists in celiac disease. I never have got reply. It must be well guarded secret. Anyway: it is cruel world out there.

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  • About Me

    Jefferson Adams

    Jefferson Adams is Celiac.com's senior writer and Digital Content Director. He earned his B.A. and M.F.A. at Arizona State University. His articles, essays, poems, stories and book reviews have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and websites, including North American Project, Antioch Review, Caliban, Mississippi Review, Slate, and more. He is the author of more than 2,500 articles on celiac disease. His university coursework includes studies in science, scientific methodology, biology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, logic, and advanced research. He previously devised health and medical content for Colgate, Dove, Pfizer, Sharecare, Walgreens, and more. Jefferson has spoken about celiac disease to the media, including an appearance on the KQED radio show Forum, and is the editor of numerous books, including "Cereal Killers" by Scott Adams and Ron Hoggan, Ed.D.

    >VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY JEFFERSON ADAMS

     


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