With all the new research coming out about celiac disease and non celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), there have been several vocal groups in the medical community and the media who have been highly skeptical of people who believe they have NCGS. There are those who think, if you don’t have celiac disease there’s no reason to be on a gluten-free diet. It’s just the next “fad” diet to come around. Well, perhaps not!
Although those with NCGS know that isn’t true based on their own symptoms, but now there’s even more research to substantiate that resolve. A recent study coming out of The University of Pavia, Italy, published in the September issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, demonstrated a significant increase in the severity of the typical intestinal and brain-related symptoms after ingestion of less than a teaspoon of gluten/day.
The study utilized a cross-over randomized trial and included a placebo, a scientifically valid research protocol. The subjects consisted of 59 adults without either celiac disease nor a wheat allergy who completed the trial. The study used a cross-over trial meaning both groups were each given a week of gluten or pacebo, a washout week (no exposure to gluten) and then a week of the placebo or gluten, respectively. Subjects in both groups who suspected they had NCGS experienced a significant increase in overall symptoms only when given gluten. The symptoms ranged from abdominal bloating and pain, to brain symptoms of foggy mind, and depression, as well as, mouth ulcers (aphthous stomatitis).
Clinical trials investigating NCGS are still in the early stages. Conflicting research has been reported about this phenomenon and may continue to occur.
You know yourself better than anyone else. Stay strong about your convictions, have faith in yourself . Eat foods that you know to be healthy for you.
“To Thine Own Self, Be True”
-Shakespeare
Here’s a link to a helpful recap of several bodies of research exploring NCGS:
http://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(15)00297-9/fulltext