Brand new research from New Zealand has found that gluten can cause brain inflammation in the brain’s hypothalamic region, which regulates metabolism. This is an inflammatory immune response similar to what people with celiac disease experience. This fascinating research ties inflammation of nerve cells to the onset of metabolic disorders. I have found that gluten can negatively affect the metabolic rate and make weight loss more difficult in my patients. This research was conducted on mice and the researchers believe the same mechanism would occur in humans.

According to University of Otago researchers in New Zealand, gluten may trigger central inflammation in the brain as well. Associate professor Dr. Alexander Tups, the lead researcher, said the addition of gluten to the diet “led to a marked increase in the number of microglia and astrocytes in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus, a key brain region for metabolic control”. The findings were published in the Journal of Neuroendocrinology.

Gluten adversely affects immune cells in the brain

Astrocytes and microglia are two types of immune cells in the brain. They are similar to macrophages, found in your bloodstream and they play a role in inflammation. The hypothalamic region in your brain is responsible for regulating metabolic functions that determine your weight and blood sugar. The university researchers believe that gluten induced hypothalamic inflammation can lead to brain inflammation, impaired memory, weight gain, elevated C reactive protein and impaired blood sugar control. These are all common problems in society, and gluten is a very commonly eaten food. Clearly other factors can be at play, but gluten seems to be a significant one.

The mice who were fed gluten were put on a 4.5 percent gluten diet, which is the equivalent of a human’s average daily gluten consumption.

How can gluten increase inflammation?

Gluten can trigger inflammation via its effect on the gut. According to the researchers, “Gluten ingestion can trigger the production of zonulin, which can create a leaky gut with gaps between cells where large molecules can cross from the gut into the bloodstream triggering a body-wide inflammatory response.” Gut microbes and bacterial toxins called lipopolysaccharides may enter the bloodstream, which significantly raises inflammation.

Is gluten harming your health?

Gluten is a large, hard-to-digest protein that gives many foods an appetizing, fluffy, stretchy quality, and is used to make bread rise and hold its form. It is found in so many packaged and baked goods, but it occurs naturally in very commonly used grains such as wheat, barley, rye, spelt and kamut.

You may have noticed an ever-increasing selection of gluten-free foods to buy whilst grocery shopping. These ‘specialty foods’ are becoming more available now in response to the needs of people who experience an array of troubling digestive symptoms. This has led doctors and researchers on the hunt for answers, and greater numbers of people than ever before are being diagnosed with gluten sensitivities and celiac disease.

Gluten causes serious damage to the small intestine in people with celiac disease, but can also harm the health of people without celiac disease. Impaired nutrient absorption can lead to a deficiency of important nutrients required for a healthy immune system, especially selenium and vitamin D. This can lead to worse outcomes in people with immune system problems because selenium and vitamin D are both natural anti inflammatory agents. An inflamed gut also means that a higher number of gut waste products get absorbed into the bloodstream and head straight for the liver. The bacterial translocation to the liver can increase liver cell inflammation and death. Thus a healthy gut lining is so important for anyone with a fatty liver, hepatitis or poorly functioning liver. My liver tonic Livatone Plus helps to protect and repair liver cells.

If you believe you could be experiencing symptoms due to the consumption of gluten in your diet, as mentioned above, then a gluten-free diet could help heal your gut, reduce inflammation and improve your metabolic rate. Gluten-free foods are now readily available in most parts of the world. Try to base your diet on inherently gluten-free foods, such as vegetables, seafood, poultry, eggs, meat, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruit.

Reference

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.