Image
© Glutenfreesociety.org
For years scientists have been investigating the detrimental effects of gluten on brain and nerve tissue. A recent study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry is just one more piece of evidence pointing to this overwhelming connection...
"Patients with established coeliac disease referred for neurological opinion show significant brain abnormality on MR imaging."
These "brain abnormalities" consisted of white matter lesions and loss of gray matter in multiple areas of the brain. The symptoms in these patients were balance disturbance, headache and sensory loss. It has been well documented that gluten contributes to autoimmune nerve damage. Some of the most common medical conditions include (click on the links below to learn more): Sources

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2012 Aug 20.

Rev Neurol. 2011 Sep 1;53(5):287-300.

Skeptics who oppose the gluten nerve connection are dead wrong...

I recently had a patient with symptoms of systemic neuropathy. He was a skeptic that diet could have anything to do with his condition until it changed his life...


What To Do If you Have Suspected Gluten Induced Nerve Damage
  1. Go on a TRUE gluten free diet. That means cutting out the gluten free (highly processed, non organic, genetically modified) bread, pasta, and cereal.
  2. Remember that gluten causes inflammation. This can cause your body to lose nutrients as it tries to heal the food induced damage. Additionally, gluten can damage the digestive organs and contribute to both digestion and absorption problems. Consider a digestive enzyme and a strong probiotic to help your body recover. Have your doctor check your vitamin and mineral levels with functional testing (serum tests are not accurate - don't settle for them). You can learn more about this here
  3. Consider the fact that many medications used to treat nerve disease can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies. This means that a multivitamin may not be enough to counteract the effects of the medications. Talk with your doctor about the possibility of drug induced nutritional deficiencies. (Vitamin B12, Folate, Magnesium, and CoQ10 are most often effected)
Want to Learn More About Gluten Induced Nerve Damage?

Watch this in depth interview with functional medicine psychiatrist, Dr. Charles Parker now.

In good health, Dr. Osborne