In my opinion it is very important to make sure a depressed person is not celiac, or gluten sensitive as this in the most common cause of reversible depression. 37% of gluten sensitive persons have a mental disorder and 37% have a neurological problem like migraines, carpal tunnel syndrome or worse, Parkinson’s disease.
Gluten causes depression by:
1. Causing vasoconstriction and hypo-perfusion of the brain.
2. Lowering of brain neurochemicals.
3. Causing low vitamin D3 a natural antidepressant,
4. Gluten creates antibodies to brain connective tissues (Molecular mimicry) and inflammation.
5. Gluten ingestion creates morphine like substances in the bowel which are absorbed into the blood stream in people who are gluten sensitive and leads to hallucinations.
6. Causes low cholesterol and subsequent low steroid hormones and hormone imbalances i.e. PMS
7. Causing protein deficiency and subsequent low neurochemicals and poor connective tissues AND low Glutathione (GSH) which is the major rate limiting step to detoxification (low GSH leads heavy metal and other toxicity and to hallucinations or paranoid ideas, remember the “Mad Hatter”).
8. Gluten sensitive persons have a high rate of abnormal methylation genes, (in my study, 90%, study is in the process of being published) and high HOMOCYSTEINE (greater than 8), a neurotoxin. This can be re-mediated with supplements with the added benefit of also incurring a 50% reduction in heart disease and cancer and reduction of risk of many other diseases.
9. Reducing immune strength and making persons who are gluten sensitive immunocompromised and at risk of having multiple and serious infections. Some of these infections trigger brain dysfunction especially Lyme’s disease, streptococcus, CMV, Epstein Barr and herpes virus.
10. Causing a 10x increased rate of autoimmune disease such as hypothyroidism, which present as depression.
11. Causes malnutrition including mineral deficiencies (such as zinc, sulphur, and selenium deficiencies) linked to depression, low hormones, toxicity and immunocompromised state.
If you are gluten sensitive it’s important to never eat gluten. How do you know if you are gluten sensitive? Sometimes you have no outward signs so it’s important to do some reliable testing. I find www.enterolab.com gives me the information I need to diagnose and help people. If you are already on a gluten free diet, do the genetics test?
Even if you are well, I think the most important information you could have is your genetic status for gluten sensitivity. If you have the genes for gluten sensitivity, you have the information to make informed decisions to add 15 -20 extra healthy years to your life.
Undiagnosed celiacs and gluten sensitive persons have a 400% increased risk of dying, and live 15- 20 years less than the average life expectancy. And have about 15 years of disability. This is a public health crisis.
Add 15 -20 healthy years to your life by finding out if you have the genes for gluten sensitivity and making some healthy changes in your diet.
To your Health
Dr. Barbara
Well presented
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