Dangerous Grains.....

[JerryK]

What do you think of this? I was looking on Amazon, because I'm going to order the book

"Dangerous Grains", which I'm sure many of you agree I need to read....

In this review of the book, the reviewer says that(apparently from the book) "Depressive Illness is

the most common symptom of Gluten Intolerance". Is this true? I've been on an AD for like

5 years now. If it is true, does the gluten-free diet reverse this? Also, what is the mechanism by which

Gluten Intolerance causes depression? (It seems like wishful thinking...I'm depressed...I have to blame it on something...must be Gluten....and I'm sure doctors would view it this way)

BUT if it is true, how many people are out there taking anti-depressants because it was the quick and easy fix??

Anyone have any thoughts about this they'd like to share with me? In any case, I will order the book. Thanks, Jerry

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CELIAC DISEASE AND HEREDITY: first degree relatives 4.5-8.5%; siblings 13.8%; offspring 12%; identical twins 70%.

LESS-FAMILIAR FACTS:

1. Humans have consumed grains during less than 0.5% of their history.

2. Gluten-related illnesses have newly occurred with "many aboriginal groups just recently introduced to a gluten-rich diet."

3. History: Stanislas Tanchou published findings over 150 years ago that imply that foods from grains cause cancer. Samuel Gee provided a highly-regarded description of classic celiac disease by 1888 and Willem Karel Dicke realized that wheat caused celiac symptoms by 1936. Incidence is 40 times that claimed a decade ago.

4. Schizophrenia incidence During WW-II substantially decreased among European populations suffering grain shortages. Ca 1969 F. Curtis Dohan et al reported that schizophrenia is frequently found in celiac disease and the reverse.

5. Genetic markers for gluten sensitivity or celiac disease occur in 43% of US population.

6. Genetic marker testing, especially if there is gluten-induced illness in relatives, is also advised for the asymptomatic because, "Those who do not feel ill in response to allergic substances in their environment are more likely to succumb to the harmful effects of these allergens."

7. Celiac disease waits for an average of 11 years before diagnosis and only 2.5% are ever diagnosed.

8. Malabsorption may not be permanent - villi, the millions of nutrient absorbers that line our small intestines, which can be flattened by disease, can be raised up again.

9. Depressive illness is the most common symptom of gluten intolerance

10. Rheumatoid arthritics (about half) show clear signs of gluten sensitivity.

11. AIDS death rate is increased by 20-fold when there is selenium deficiency which is commonly found in non-celiac, gluten-sensitive persons.

12. Significant bone loss occurs in 70% of persons with undetected celiac disease. Dairy products and calcium supplements may actually decrease bone density, while, for celiacs, a year on a gluten-free diet with proper supplementation can increase bone density.

13. Diabetes (IDDM) can be prevented by a gluten-free diet if genetic proneness is detected early.

14. Diet and nutrition's medicinal value is indicated in tens of thousands of studies.

[Ann1231]

I haven't read the book but I know from personal experience that depression and anxiety is a HUGE problem for me when I've been glutened. I was on zoloft for a while until I went gluten-free. gluten-free diet did more for me than zoloft ever did. I have heard from others that have had the same issues and there's a thread on here about anxieties and depression from gluten.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Depression was present for me as well.

It got much better when I went on the diet and started exercising more.

[Nancym]

There's quite a lot here on mental manifestations and gluten intolerance: Open Original Shared Link

Any search on pubmed ought to have a lot of stuff.

Almost all the research is done on people with proven biopsies. But there is one doctor, Hadjivassiliou -- he has published a ton -- (no, I didn't just randomly press down a bunch of keys, it IS his name) that is finding brain lesions on people without villious atrophy and he is finding gluten antibodies in the brain lesions. He believes there are a lot of people suffering neurological issues due to gluten that can't be identified by the blood tests and biopsies they're doing now.

I take away from this the question of, if gluten antibodies are attacking people's brains what is to stop it from attacking any organ? And if the current standard blood/biopsy tests can't detect it... what can you do? (Try the diet, obviously).

[Ursa Major]

Jerry, check out Scott's (admin) blog. Open Original Shared Link

Scroll down to the entry titled, "Gluten causes brain disease!" A very interesting read indeed.

Oh, and count me in as getting depression and anxiety when glutened.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I have not had problems with gluten-related depression; however, I am convinced that it DOES cause it in many people.

I was very disappointed in Dangerous Grains. I felt it made a lot of interesting points, but failed to offer documentation, and it was generally not well-written or well-organized. We need someone to write a better book! There are such talented writers/researchers on this board--Ursula, Rachel, Carla, Susan, Andrea, Laura, Donna--you guys should team up, you could write a MUCH better book than Dangerous Grains!

[Guest Villanfam]

I just ordered the book "Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic" by Dr. Peter Green. It is also supposed to talk about the neurological effects of celiac disease. Happygirl recomended it, in the "Celiac Disease: Not Just A Gi Problem" thread Open Original Shared Link

Oh yeah, I also have had depression, and I think my 5yr old daughter might, as well .

[celiacgirls]

I tried the diet after being positive on Enterolab's test. I tested myself when my daughter was positive. I would have said I had no symptoms but within 2 days, I didn't need my a/d. I felt giddy and knew I needed to get off from it. Of course I had to taper but within probably a month, I was completely off and haven't gone back.

When I am glutened, the depression comes back. It is my main symptom and the reason I am very strict on the diet.

[Generic]

I read some where (can't remember where, figures) that something like 75% or so of the seratonin is made in your stomach, so that would explain that.

[Ann1231]

I read some where (can't remember where, figures) that something like 75% or so of the seratonin is made in your stomach, so that would explain that.

that would make sense then. About 10 years ago I went on a low carb diet and felt fantastic, my depression and anxieties went completely away. I *thought* it was because of getting rid of all the carbs and the blood sugar swings (I'm sure that was part of it) but I know now that it was mostly because I got rid of the gluten.

[jerseyangel]

I read some where (can't remember where, figures) that something like 75% or so of the seratonin is made in your stomach, so that would explain that.

I have read the same thing. Also, my gastroenterologist told me that the tissue found in the intestine is exactly the same as the type found in the brain.

[Eliza13]

that would make sense then. About 10 years ago I went on a low carb diet and felt fantastic, my depression and anxieties went completely away. I *thought* it was because of getting rid of all the carbs and the blood sugar swings (I'm sure that was part of it) but I know now that it was mostly because I got rid of the gluten.

I once went on a low carb diet and I swear it was the best I've felt my entire life. Eating gluten-free makes me feel great too, but I swear I was glowing when I ate NO carbs. Anyone know why that could be??

[Eliza13]

I once went on a low carb diet and I swear it was the best I've felt my entire life. Eating gluten-free makes me feel great too, but I swear I was glowing when I ate NO carbs. Anyone know why that could be??

Well maybe not NO carbs....I was eating fruit and vegetables....and I also ate chick peas on occasion.