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Celiac, Brain Fog, And Alzheimer's

Fiddle-Faddle

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Fiddle-Faddle Community Regular
Fiddle-Faddle
Posted

I didn't realize how serious the brain fog (mentioned by many of you) thing was until some of you described in detail how severe it is. When I read some of your posts, I googled ceilac and Alzheimer's, and found so many links, it's scary. I apologize to those of you who think this is old news--I never made the connection before (must be brain fog).

Here's one link--there are many others:Open Original Shared Link

So WHY aren't thee more studies on gluten???????????

Another question: do Italians, who seem to have bread or pasta as the main dish for every single meal, have a higher incidence of autoimmune disease and/or Alzheimer's? Or do they have a genetically highger threshold for gluten?

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Jnkmnky Collaborator
Jnkmnky
Posted
I didn't realize how serious the brain fog (mentioned by many of you) thing was until some of you described in detail how severe it is. When I read some of your posts, I googled ceilac and Alzheimer's, and found so many links, it's scary. I apologize to those of you who think this is old news--I never made the connection before (must be brain fog).

Here's one link--there are many others:Open Original Shared Link

So WHY aren't thee more studies on gluten???????????

Another question: do Italians, who seem to have bread or pasta as the main dish for every single meal, have a higher incidence of autoimmune disease and/or Alzheimer's? Or do they have a genetically highger threshold for gluten?

I don't know, but Thanks for validating the brain fog. During it, there's nothing you can do to get control of it. I think of my son who was in a peptide induced brain fog for the first three years of his life and I can't believe he's ok. Being held back one year in school seems like he got off pretty well considering how doped he was during those formative learning years! I really get sick thinking of those who are suffering RIGHT NOW, and have NO idea it's the gluten. It's heartbreaking. Lives being wasted.

trents Grand Master
trents
Posted

Fiddle-Faddle,

The link you gave indicates there is no connection between Alzheimers and Celiac disease. Am I missing something?

SurreyGirl Rookie
SurreyGirl
Posted

I think looking at celiac only (in comparison with Alzheimers) is too limiting.. The whole spectrum stretches much further to no-gut symptoms gluten sensitivity.

In Alzheimers, the problem in the brain occurs because of a build up of plaques, sometimes called calcification (could these be made from calcium? - or is it just a general term?). Another reason is vascular problems (mechanical or biochemical). I am sure there are more reasons too. When you look at many other gluten-related conditions (dermatitis herpetiformis, nephropathy, many more), you also come across deposits of some sort - possibly calcium too(?) - maybe others, salts? And then stones, obstructions etc that are mentioned in Dangerous Grains, definitely have gluten connection. All this, on top of autoimmunity..

To me it still seems that gluten not only stops nutrients getting to their destinations, but that those CIC (circulating immume complexes caused by gluten) build up some sort of obstructions in various places in the body - and all along this would also slow down (even halt?) removal of the metabolic toxins? Because it all starts in capillaries, the deterioration tends to be gradual rather than sudden - at least at first.

NB. This is just me thinking, but I have read about these ways of the gluten interference in many separate places. I have also heard some of it directly from various doctors and have a first hand experience from seeing my son and others with symptoms of celiac/possible celiac/gluten sensitivity that affects the brain.

Rusla Enthusiast
Rusla
Posted

Brain fog, the bane of my existence. Up until the time I had pernicious anemia and my mind starting taking a hike, I could spell any word for any one. They wouldn't even use the dicitionary, they would ask me. Since then I forget where I am, I can't spell for me, that is very distressing. I hope someday, being gluten-free that, I can get all of that back.

Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted

I've been watching with interest as it seems like Alzheimer's might be a new type of diabetes where the brain isn't able to produce insulin. I've seen 3 different studies that indicated this.

  • 3 months later...
carlag Newbie
carlag
Posted

Hello all,

I'm new to this, so am fumbling my way through. Am looking for information about 'celiac brain fog' and just what it feels like to others. I've heard the term, and am wondering if I am experiencing this, or something else.

These days my brain (whole head, actually) feels like it's been anaesthetized. Sometimes my head throbs with my heart beat (not painful like a headache, but I am terribly aware of every heartbeat as I feel it in my head). Sometimes it feels like a balloon has been inflated inside my head, and sometimes it feels like there's something really tight around my head.

Only for a brief time each day (in the morning) do I seem to be free of any of these feelings. As the day progresses, the feelings increase, making it difficult to function by the time afternoon rolls around.

My doctor sent me for scans and found that I've had a minor stroke, so I'm confused as to whether these strange feelings in my head are from my old friend celiac disease, or from my new friend, stroke.

Would really appreciate hearing from others about what the brain fog feels like, to help me make sense of what's happening in my head.

Many thanks.

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dionnek Enthusiast
dionnek
Posted

Are you gluten free? I never knew what the "brain fog" was really until my first true glutening since going gluten-free (just dx 2 months ago) - about 5-6 hours after the accidental glutening I started feeling drunk, even though I had not had anything to drink. I felt light headed and "fuzzy", like my reflexes were impaired. I felt like I was talking and thinking slowly. LUckily it was in the evening and I was at home - I definitley don't think I could have driven anywhere - might have gotten a DUI :)

HOpe this helps - this is just my first experience (I'm dealing with the other affects of the glutening still - the brain fog though only lasted a few hours, then just headache like a hangover).

Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted

Some of my brain fog also came from dairy. Once I got off all the things I'm intolerant of, it went away! Took awhile but I rarely have it now. I remember I used to sit in front of my computer trying to remember my passwords. Now they just come shooting out the end of my fingers. :P

Sarah8793 Enthusiast
Sarah8793
Posted

This is a topic I am very interested in. My father's mother and her 2 siblings all had alzheimers. I often wonder if it isn't celiac related. None of them knew anything about celiac disease. There is a connection between diabetes and celiac disease and it won't surprise me if alzheimers is related somehow also. It will be interesting to see what others have to add to this thread. Thanks for posting. :)

Sarah

carlag Newbie
carlag
Posted

Yes, I am SO gluten free! Diagnosed ~2-1/2 years ago (blood tests followed by biopsy); went gluten free; had follow up biopsy about 6 months later (no improvement); various follow up blood tests since then (no improvement). Have been sent to see dieticians several times - each time they couldn't find anything I've been doing wrong, and have commented that I'm much more stringent than most. Current gastroenterologist suggests that gluten is still in my diet from contamination or false labelling (products labelled gluten-free but aren't), and tells me to treat everything with suspicion, and eat only the food that I prepare myself. So I bake all my own bread, cookies, etc, avoid packaged foods, don't eat out...

The brain fog you describe does sound familiar though. I am definitely slower, have to search my head for words, feel off balance at times, and like you, don't feel that driving is a good idea (haven't even tried it for several weeks - since all this started.

Thanks for telling me about your brain fog - sounds like my fuzziness must be from something else...?

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted
I've been watching with interest as it seems like Alzheimer's might be a new type of diabetes where the brain isn't able to produce insulin. I've seen 3 different studies that indicated this.

Do you have any articles on this? Sounds interesting, and I'd like to read more about it.

carlag Newbie
carlag
Posted
Do you have any articles on this? Sounds interesting, and I'd like to read more about it.

Same here; please do tell us where to find these articles.

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      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

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    • trents
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      Welcome, @catnapt! The most recent guidelines are the daily consumption of a minimum of 10g of gluten (about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for a minimum of two weeks. But if possible stretching that out even more would enhance the chances of getting valid test results. These guidelines are for those who have been eating gluten free for a significant amount of time. It's called the "gluten challenge".  Yes, you can develop celiac disease at any stage of life. There is a genetic component but also a stress trigger that is needed to activate the celiac genes. About 30-40% of the general population possesses the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% of the general population actually develop celiac disease. For most with the potential, the triggering stress event doesn't happen. It can be many things but often it is a viral infection. Having said that, it is also the case that many, many people who eventually are diagnosed with celiac disease probably experienced the actual onset years before. Many celiacs are of the "silent" type, meaning that symptoms are largely missing or very minor and get overlooked until damage to the small bowel lining becomes advanced or they develop iron deficiency anemia or some other medical problem associated with celiac disease. Many, many are never diagnosed or are diagnosed later in life because they did not experience classic symptoms. And many physicians are only looking for classic symptoms. We now know that there are over 200 symptoms/medical problems associated with celiac disease but many docs are only looking for things like boating, gas, diarrhea. I certainly understand your concerns about not wanting to damage your body by taking on a gluten challenge. Your other option is to totally commit to gluten free eating and see if your symptoms improve. It can take two years or more for complete healing of the small bowel lining once going gluten free but usually people experience significant improvement well before then. If their is significant improvement in your symptoms when going seriously gluten free, then you likely have your answer. You would either have celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity).
    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I attributed it to other things like bread spiking blood sugar- or to the things I ate *with* the bread or crackers etc   I went to a party in Nov and ate a LOT of a vegan roast made with vital wheat gluten- as well as stuffing, rolls and pie crust... and OMG I was so sick! the pain, the bloating, the gas, the nausea... I didn't think it would ever end (but it did) and I was ready to go the ER but it finally subsided.   I mentioned this to my endo and now she wants me to be tested for celiac after 2 weeks of being on gluten foods. She has kind of flip flopped on how much gluten I should eat, telling me that if the symptoms are severe I can stop. I am eating 2-3 thin slices of bread per day (or english muffins) and wow- it does make me feel awful. But not as bad as when I ate that massive amnt of vital wheat gluten. so I will continue on if I have to... but what bothers me is - if it IS celiac, it seems stupid for lack of a better word, to intentionally cause more damage to my body... but I am also worried, on the other hand, that this is not a long enough challenge to make the blood work results valid.   can you give me any insight into this please?   thank you
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