Skeptical, But Any Thoughts?

[fallout1]

Got an email forward from a family member pointing to low rates of autoimmune disease in less-developed parts of the world, and possible reductions in microorganisms in the West as a reason for increased prevalence. They sent this link along:

Open Original Shared Link

I'm always skeptical of new theories like this, but I was wondering if this has been considered by the medical community as a link to Celiac prevalence. The link is pretty sparse on the details, but has anyone given pro-biotics,etc a try? Thoughts?

Thanks

Jordin

[GlutenFreeManna]

I didn't read your link, but if it says that probiotics could help prevent celiac it's way off base IMO. There are genetic markers for people with celiac, it's not just something caused by bacteria or the environment (although I believe that stress or illness could trigger symptoms to begin at anytime in a person's life). Another thing to consider is that people in many developing countries don't eat as much wheat as we do in the west. They eat rice, corn or potatoes in many cases. So they could carry the celiac genes but never present with symptoms because they are not consuming large quantities of gluten. I would be more apt to buy that the increase in celiac in the west has to do with the amount of genetically modified and otherwise heavily processed "food" items than I would ever think it's due to gut bacteria. I could be wrong. I'm not a scientist, but if it was something as simple as taking probiotics then gluten intolerance could be "cured" by taking probiotics. I have taken probiotics for about seven months in order to help rebuild my good gut bacteria after being on nearly a year's worth of antibiotics and I am still VERY gluten intolerant. My lactose intolerance has gotten less severe but I attribute that MORE to the healing of some the villi in my intestines which were likely destroyed by years of consuming gluten and less due to probiotics.

[sb2178]

Hygiene hypothesis is pretty highly regarded as probably true for many diseases. The part NOT well discussed is how the higher rates of infant mortality may affect the statistics. And, as pointed out, the environmental exposure (gluten) link is well established and exposures vary by culture.

Anyway, once you have celiac, you're stuck with it. Whether extra probiotics or various infectious exposures might help prevent the development of the disease in genetically susceptible folk is a great question. I'd be likely to say probably, but haven't read anything supporting that. Just not enough research yet!

[cassP]

WHOA that is a long article, and i just read most of it.

ummm... i think there is SOME truth within that article- but in it's entirety i think it is innaccurate.

i definitely believe we have a lot more of CERTAIN kinds of diseases in our over industrialized & over medicated world compared to simpler less modern places. but it's not the main reason. it's a bit misleading- how the article almost leads you to believe that not being exposed to normal bacteria & microorganisms can lead to Type 1 Diabetes, etc... maybe it's just not well written? idk...

i think- in our super modern industrialized country-> we've got more triggers... and weaker immune systems.. but the genes have GOT to be there.

i mean there's SOME truth to the intestinal flora & immune system-> recent studies have suggested that Vaginal Deliveries & Breastfeeding can delay the onset of Celiac.

PLUS, our genetically modified food & our modern day wheat products (which have way more gluten than less developed countries)-> are greater triggers too.

cholera & parasites ...or NO cholera & parasites- if one has the Celiac genes & has been triggered-> when they eat gluten, the disease will start. in fact- a parasite infection can totally BE a trigger.

i just think those like say: for example: in subsaharan africa-> there's probably just as many people there with Celiac- and either they just never know, or they never eat enough gluten for it to start being expressed.

dont know if that made sense-> hard to write out my thoughts

[pixespirit]

I did not read the article, but I was diagnosed with celiac disease in January 2010. Since then, it has been a LONG process. I attribute some of my healing to probiotics. On top of probiotics that I buy from the health food store, I also take Phillips Colon Health which has helped significantly.

In addition to healing the celiac disease---I have seen significant improvement in my allergies and asthma. I get allergy shots and take clartin everyday. Before all of this healthy eating/and probiotics---I had to carry a klenex box around. I'm still healing and just found out I have a corn sensitivity which is really upsetting. While there is less food I can eat---I'm finding some lost energy I haven't had in years!

Good luck in your journey!

WHOA that is a long article, and i just read most of it.

ummm... i think there is SOME truth within that article- but in it's entirety i think it is innaccurate.

i definitely believe we have a lot more of CERTAIN kinds of diseases in our over industrialized & over medicated world compared to simpler less modern places. but it's not the main reason. it's a bit misleading- how the article almost leads you to believe that not being exposed to normal bacteria & microorganisms can lead to Type 1 Diabetes, etc... maybe it's just not well written? idk...

i think- in our super modern industrialized country-> we've got more triggers... and weaker immune systems.. but the genes have GOT to be there.

i mean there's SOME truth to the intestinal flora & immune system-> recent studies have suggested that Vaginal Deliveries & Breastfeeding can delay the onset of Celiac.

PLUS, our genetically modified food & our modern day wheat products (which have way more gluten than less developed countries)-> are greater triggers too.

cholera & parasites ...or NO cholera & parasites- if one has the Celiac genes & has been triggered-> when they eat gluten, the disease will start. in fact- a parasite infection can totally BE a trigger.

i just think those like say: for example: in subsaharan africa-> there's probably just as many people there with Celiac- and either they just never know, or they never eat enough gluten for it to start being expressed.

dont know if that made sense-> hard to write out my thoughts

[fallout1]

I figured it was too comprehensive to be the cause of everything. I am a relatively newly diagnosed Celiac sufferer (if that is an accurate word) and thus am just trying to get a feel for the literature. Interesting to think about, but as most of you said, not the end-all, be-all. Thanks for taking the time to read/reply.

Cheers

Jordin

[Skylark]

The head of the Finnish Celiac institute, Markku Maki, says when you do random celiac screens in Finland and the neighboring part of Russia on the peninsula, the rate of celiac in Finland is almost double. The people have the same genetic/ethnic background, but the Russian side of the peninsula is poorer, so the lifestyle and diet are different.

Maki didn't pretend to have a good explanation, but the phenomenon is definitely real.

[lucia]

This is an interesting discussion. I sometimes wonder if we are the "canaries in the coal mine," the coal mine being the industrial West. Our lives, especially our high-fat, heavy corn and wheat, and GMO foods diet, are now radically altered from those of people for most of human history. Maybe people here (especially those with multiple immune deficiencies) are the most sensitive outliers to these changes.

[cassP]

This is an interesting discussion. I sometimes wonder if we are the "canaries in the coal mine," the coal mine being the industrial West. Our lives, especially our high-fat, heavy corn and wheat, and GMO foods diet, are now radically altered from those of people for most of human history. Maybe people here (especially those with multiple immune deficiencies) are the most sensitive outliers to these changes.

Lucia!! it's been awhile.... are you feeling better? have you pinpointed what additional foods were bothering you?