Gluten intolerance: a paradigm of an epidemic

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Dec, 2002 by Stacy Astor Shaul

Other diagnostic tests which might be helpful in identifying gluten intolerance, is a urinary peptide for gliadorphin/caseomorphin test from The Great Plains Laboratory. This test measures the peptides from incompletely broken down pieces of protein from gluten and casein. It was initially developed by Dr. William Shaw for children with Autism. The Urinary Polypeptides Test from AAL Reference Laboratories tests for TAG, Casomorphine, Gladomorphin, as well as other peptides. Great Smokies Laboratory offers an Intestinal Permeability Assessment, which directly measures the ability of two non-metabolized sugar molecules, mannitol and lactulose, to permeate the intestinal mucosa, showing increased permeability.

Although this article focuses on gluten, patients with these various disorders might also benefit from the elimination of other foods, which might be contributing to health related conditions. Some of the more common troublesome foods are wheat, dairy, nuts, corn, soy, and shellfish. In fact, any intestinal inflammation of any etiology, if severe enough, can cause villous atrophy.

Results of Undiagnosed Gluten Intolerance

For children, the discovery of a gluten-related problem is of the utmost importance. Undiagnosed children may not grow and develop properly. The brain development that takes place in childhood may not occur due to the associated malabsorption or maldigestion. Also, opioids permanently affect the permeability of the brain barrier and inhibit brain growth during adolescence.

Although most of the research on undiagnosed gluten intolerance is on CD, the consequences are enormous for all gluten related conditions due to a higher risk of problems such as osteoporosis, intestinal lymphoma, infertility and miscarriage, short stature, etc. Results of undiagnosed CD also include splenic and pancreatic atrophy, thyroid disorders, gall bladder disorders, kidney disease, liver abnormalities, and impaired organ function. According to a study conducted by Dr. Giovanni Corrao, the death rate among people with CD is double that of the normal population. (53)

An Epidemic

Dr. Joseph Mercola suggests gluten intolerance is a very common condition that affects a considerable proportion of the population. "Recent research has put the figure as high as 1 in every 33 people, but my experience tells me that it is more like 1 in every 10 people.,, (64) Ron Hoggan calls it the "Plague of the 20th Century." Many who suffer from gluten intolerance do not know it. In fact, the current requirement of a diagnosis of Celiac Disease with a positive, small intestinal biopsy, in order to be considered "gluten intolerant," is actually harmful for the entire population. Our diagnostic tools are currently inadequate to uncover all of the conditions that gluten intolerance underlies or contributes to. Not only are those with CD being misdiagnosed but other diseases are being ruled out as gluten-related conditions, due to inaccurate and inadequate diagnostic techniques.

The influence of drug companies has also distracted many researchers away from studying how "diet" affects many conditions. Most research funding comes from the pharmaceutical industry who is interested primarily in the profit from new and patented drugs. Unfortunately, this is keeping many doctors and patients in the dark as to just what might improve their health.