Alzheimer's And Celiac Link

[ravenwoodglass]

I am praying the link to this article will work. If you scroll down to the part after CFS is highlighted they have a good amount of info and a case history. I am pasting a bit of it but there is also info on B12 that many might find of benefit.

Open Original Shared Link

"Even hidden food intolerances may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's Disease, for example, atypical presentation of coeliac disease in the absence of classic intestinal manifestations. Recent research has demonstrated a high prevalence of antigliadin antibodies (IgG, IgA or both) in patients with neurological dysfunction of obscure etiology (57 percent versus 5 percent in neurological controls and 12 percent in normal controls). There was a nearly tenfold increase in neurological dysfunction or dementia in gluten-sensitive individuals compared to those not gluten-sensitive. Detection was made more elusive by the fact that only 35 percent of patients who developed neurological problems had histological evidence of celiac disease. Two-thirds had no clinical signs of celiac disease."

"When first seen at our center at the age of 76, EK. Could state her name but did not know where she was ofr the date. Physical exam was otherwise unremarkable, but she was uncooperative and suspicious. Homocysteine was found to be elevated at 16.8 (optimal <10) and methylmalonic acid (a sensitive measure of B12 status) was found to be elevated at 455 (normal 73-271 nm/L). Antigliadin IgA (but not IgG) was positive at 1:40. Serum DHEA sulfate was noted to be low at 17. (Age-appropriate norm >25).

The patient was given a series of B12 shots 3 times weekly for two weeks, then started on monthly injections. She was started on a gluten-free diet. She was placed on a combined regimen of nutritional supplements which were faithfully administered to her by her son who lived with her, as follows:

Multivitamin

Vit E 800 IU

Folate 5mg

B6 25mg

Vit C 4 gms

Inositol 12 gms

DHEA 25 mg

Thiamine 400mg

Alpha-lipoic acid 2000 mg

Acetyl-L-carnitine 1000mg

DHA (Docosohexaenoic acid) 1000 mg

Ginkgo biloba extract 320 mg

CoEnzyme Q10 200 mg

NADH 10mg

N-acetylcysteine 200mg

Phosphatidylserine 300 mg

The patient underwent gradual improvement in memory, mood and functional status. An early observation by her family was that she became relatively calmer and day/night reversal of her sleep pattern abated. She no longer could not be left alone, which had in the past prompted panic and calling out of windows that she needed help. Spells of anger, paranoia and obstinacy became less frequent. The patient's ability to name objects returned, and her ability to dress, bathe and eat with minimal assistance returned. After two years, her improvements were so significant that her neurologist noted the following on an insurance report:

"Patient seems to have recovered significant memory over the last 2 years from natural process/or the employment of vitamin supplementsin collaboration with family members. Improvement has been seen especially in areas of ADL (Activities of Daily Living), i.e. independence in self dressing, eating and light cooking. There is absolutely no issues [sic] about continence. There is no evidence of alteration of sleep-wake cycle, mood changes, agitation, wandering or other affective or personality disorders. She has reached a stable plateau in her neurological state with no evidence of progressive deterioration. I would presently classify her as having minimal dementia in the the order of Age Related Memory Loss.""

[mandasmom]

I am praying the link to this article will work. If you scroll down to the part after CFS is highlighted they have a good amount of info and a case history. I am pasting a bit of it but there is also info on B12 that many might find of benefit.

Open Original Shared Link

"Even hidden food intolerances may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's Disease, for example, atypical presentation of coeliac disease in the absence of classic intestinal manifestations. Recent research has demonstrated a high prevalence of antigliadin antibodies (IgG, IgA or both) in patients with neurological dysfunction of obscure etiology (57 percent versus 5 percent in neurological controls and 12 percent in normal controls). There was a nearly tenfold increase in neurological dysfunction or dementia in gluten-sensitive individuals compared to those not gluten-sensitive. Detection was made more elusive by the fact that only 35 percent of patients who developed neurological problems had histological evidence of celiac disease. Two-thirds had no clinical signs of celiac disease."

"When first seen at our center at the age of 76, EK. Could state her name but did not know where she was ofr the date. Physical exam was otherwise unremarkable, but she was uncooperative and suspicious. Homocysteine was found to be elevated at 16.8 (optimal <10) and methylmalonic acid (a sensitive measure of B12 status) was found to be elevated at 455 (normal 73-271 nm/L). Antigliadin IgA (but not IgG) was positive at 1:40. Serum DHEA sulfate was noted to be low at 17. (Age-appropriate norm >25).

The patient was given a series of B12 shots 3 times weekly for two weeks, then started on monthly injections. She was started on a gluten-free diet. She was placed on a combined regimen of nutritional supplements which were faithfully administered to her by her son who lived with her, as follows:

Multivitamin

Vit E 800 IU

Folate 5mg

B6 25mg

Vit C 4 gms

Inositol 12 gms

DHEA 25 mg

Thiamine 400mg

Alpha-lipoic acid 2000 mg

Acetyl-L-carnitine 1000mg

DHA (Docosohexaenoic acid) 1000 mg

Ginkgo biloba extract 320 mg

CoEnzyme Q10 200 mg

NADH 10mg

N-acetylcysteine 200mg

Phosphatidylserine 300 mg

The patient underwent gradual improvement in memory, mood and functional status. An early observation by her family was that she became relatively calmer and day/night reversal of her sleep pattern abated. She no longer could not be left alone, which had in the past prompted panic and calling out of windows that she needed help. Spells of anger, paranoia and obstinacy became less frequent. The patient's ability to name objects returned, and her ability to dress, bathe and eat with minimal assistance returned. After two years, her improvements were so significant that her neurologist noted the following on an insurance report:

"Patient seems to have recovered significant memory over the last 2 years from natural process/or the employment of vitamin supplementsin collaboration with family members. Improvement has been seen especially in areas of ADL (Activities of Daily Living), i.e. independence in self dressing, eating and light cooking. There is absolutely no issues [sic] about continence. There is no evidence of alteration of sleep-wake cycle, mood changes, agitation, wandering or other affective or personality disorders. She has reached a stable plateau in her neurological state with no evidence of progressive deterioration. I would presently classify her as having minimal dementia in the the order of Age Related Memory Loss.""

My mother developed Alzheimers in her late 60s and died of related causes at 72..just a few months before a few family memebers wer diagnosed with Celiac...I am fully convinced that she had undiagnosed Celiac and suffered with various symptoms all of her life....reading this article reinforces that completely...I feel lucky that many of our family memebers have been diagnosed and are fully compliant with theGF diet. Hopefully we will not loose anyone else before their time!!

[cyberprof]

Given all the possible neurological symptoms of gluten, like ataxia and brain fog and others, I wouldn't be surprised. I'm happy that all of us here won't get Alzheimer's but what about all the other people who aren't diagnosed?

[YoloGx]

I believe my mother is having similar problems--as I have had in the past with gluten and a bad memory as well as anxiety and sometimes seeing people or hearing things that weren't there not to mention constant flu and colds, difficulty sleeping etc. The vitamin D plus the more absorbable co-enzyme B vitamins have been key for me as well as a strict non gluten diet with no sugar and lots of vegetables (though I am not a vegetarian), healing herbs and exercise.

However for my mother the trouble is that although she has been diagnosed with celiac she doesn't think she has to be strict with her diet. She has been having increased memory problems this last year and a half. She is old--92 going on 93. However other than her increasingly fluctuating memory she is in great shape and does not have alzheimers. My feeling is that if she followed her diet more strictly her memory and energy etc. would greatly improve. Whenever she eats gluten I notice she breaks out with scabs on her face plus she gets more confused and tired. This used to happen to me too. Like her I did not get diahrreah.

She was diagnosed with having wheat and other gluten allergies as a child and then more recently roughly 10 years ago by Kaiser along with my brother who has Down's. However as a young adult she went off her diet and has not followed it since until recently when I insisted she change or end up going into a nursing home which she wouldn't like.

She was always scatter brained and very difficult to deal with as a mother. Now here she is finally really losing it. Of course she is very limber and until last year was playing tennis... She still drives though just in the neighborhood. I take her elsewhere as does my sister. Her Kaiser doctors don't seem to realize the severity of the problem since compared to most people she is doing very well. However I think compared to what she could be doing she isn't doing well at all. Longevity runs in both sides of her family despite the gluten issue and I think she is not going to kick off any time soon gluten or no gluten. Meanwhile there is the quality of life issue...

My sister also admits she has digestive difficulties from eating gluten. But despite her being a research nurse at Stanford she chooses to ignore it and takes some anti diahretic instead. Her body has puffed up but she ignores it. Ditto with increasing weakend and painful joints so now she no longer can play soccer. (I too had painful joints as did our eldest siter til she changed her diet). She also takes drugs when she get migraines (I also got migraines quite frequently until I changed my diet!). She instead strongly insists she doesn't practice "that kind of medicine!" (i.e., avoiding gluten and taking supplements like our oldest sister and I do who like me is greatly improved) despite my showing her a study from the Mayo clinic etc..

Mostly at home my mother doesn't eat wheat since I get rid of it when and if I see it. But my sister is increasingly a problem. My sister the nurse then sneaks wheat to my mother when they go on outings or brings extra food with wheat over here.

Thanksgiving is a joke. I simply am not going to the family gathering at my sisters since everything will have wheat in it and my sister will make me look like a fool. My other direct siblings aren't attending except for my brother who has Down's and diagnosed celiac.

My mother just made a wheat flour pie to take to the celebration. I really can say nothing so didn't even try since iI don't want to spoil her fun. However I plan to spend the holiday instead with a close friend with my dietary restrictions not ignored and in much better company.

I give my mother co-enzyme b vitamins and cod liver oil and a non gluten multiple vitamin and mostly restrict her gluten. I think it helps but its not enough.

Any advice on the run away egotist-and in-denial sister would be gladly received. I am almost ready to give up!!

[ravenwoodglass]

I believe my mother is having similar problems--as I have had in the past with gluten and a bad memory as well as anxiety and sometimes seeing people or hearing things that weren't there not to mention constant flu and colds, difficulty sleeping etc. The vitamin D plus the more absorbable co-enzyme B vitamins have been key for me as well as a strict non gluten diet with no sugar and lots of vegetables (though I am not a vegetarian), healing herbs and exercise.

However for my mother the trouble is that although she has been diagnosed with celiac she doesn't think she has to be strict with her diet. She has been having increased memory problems this last year and a half. She is old--92 going on 93. However other than her increasingly fluctuating memory she is in great shape and does not have alzheimers. My feeling is that if she followed her diet more strictly her memory and energy etc. would greatly improve. Whenever she eats gluten I notice she breaks out with scabs on her face plus she gets more confused and tired. This used to happen to me too. Like her I did not get diahrreah.

She was diagnosed with having wheat and other gluten allergies as a child and then more recently roughly 10 years ago by Kaiser along with my brother who has Down's. However as a young adult she went off her diet and has not followed it since until recently when I insisted she change or end up going into a nursing home which she wouldn't like.

She was always scatter brained and very difficult to deal with as a mother. Now here she is finally really losing it. Of course she is very limber and until last year was playing tennis... She still drives though just in the neighborhood. I take her elsewhere as does my sister. Her Kaiser doctors don't seem to realize the severity of the problem since compared to most people she is doing very well. However I think compared to what she could be doing she isn't doing well at all. Longevity runs in both sides of her family despite the gluten issue and I think she is not going to kick off any time soon gluten or no gluten. Meanwhile there is the quality of life issue...

My sister also admits she has digestive difficulties from eating gluten. But despite her being a research nurse at Stanford she chooses to ignore it and takes some anti diahretic instead. Her body has puffed up but she ignores it. Ditto with increasing weakend and painful joints so now she no longer can play soccer. (I too had painful joints as did our eldest siter til she changed her diet). She also takes drugs when she get migraines (I also got migraines quite frequently until I changed my diet!). She instead strongly insists she doesn't practice "that kind of medicine!" (i.e., avoiding gluten and taking supplements like our oldest sister and I do who like me is greatly improved) despite my showing her a study from the Mayo clinic etc..

Mostly at home my mother doesn't eat wheat since I get rid of it when and if I see it. But my sister is increasingly a problem. My sister the nurse then sneaks wheat to my mother when they go on outings or brings extra food with wheat over here.

Thanksgiving is a joke. I simply am not going to the family gathering at my sisters since everything will have wheat in it and my sister will make me look like a fool. My other direct siblings aren't attending except for my brother who has Down's and diagnosed celiac.

My mother just made a wheat flour pie to take to the celebration. I really can say nothing so didn't even try since iI don't want to spoil her fun. However I plan to spend the holiday instead with a close friend with my dietary restrictions not ignored and in much better company.

I give my mother co-enzyme b vitamins and cod liver oil and a non gluten multiple vitamin and mostly restrict her gluten. I think it helps but its not enough.

Any advice on the run away egotist-and in-denial sister would be gladly received. I am almost ready to give up!!

You may want to do a search here and look for 'neurological manifestations of celiac', there have been a lot of articles posted here and a lot are also on the web from sites like pubmed, NIH etc (in other words actual medical studies). Also see if you can get her to come to the site and read some posts and some signatures. My doctors didn't even look for celiac for years. I was told I had IBS and a host of other problems and just medicated with Immodium for years. The damage this caused is obvious in my signature. And there are many, many signatures like mine. But as the saying goes you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them read. Your sister sounds like she is in denial big time, not surprising since so many doctors are also. You are doing all you can, your not alone.

[YoloGx]

You may want to do a search here and look for 'neurological manifestations of celiac', there have been a lot of articles posted here and a lot are also on the web from sites like pubmed, NIH etc (in other words actual medical studies). Also see if you can get her to come to the site and read some posts and some signatures. My doctors didn't even look for celiac for years. I was told I had IBS and a host of other problems and just medicated with Immodium for years. The damage this caused is obvious in my signature. And there are many, many signatures like mine. But as the saying goes you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them read. Your sister sounds like she is in denial big time, not surprising since so many doctors are also. You are doing all you can, your not alone.

thanks for the idea of checking on neurological manifestations. I will do that. I did post your other insight on alzheimers to my sister. She probably won't see it til she is at work however.

My mother also has had eyesight problems--glaucoma I think. Which I hear is also related to this condition.

It amazes my how so many doctors and nurses are in denial about this condition or anything really related to diet. It seems they think it is just old wives tales and akin to using leaches or some such thing.