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A team of UK researchers has connected gluten
with schizophrenia. Photo: UHI
A team of researchers at Inverness, Scotland's UHI have confirmed a connection between gluten and schizophrenia. The team's work is part of two projects designed to assess what role gluten might play in the development of schizophrenia and diabetes.
Findings from their latest research demonstrate that about 30% of people who suffer from schizophrenia cannot properly break down the proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley gluten. When these people eat gluten, they suffer from intestinal damage similar to that found in people with untreated celiac disease. Such patients "might also benefit from a gluten-free diet," according to senior researcher and genetics reader, Dr Jun Wei.
According to the team's research, gluten proteins might play a role in activating schizophrenia in people who carry genes for the disorder, or in aggravating the condition in those who already suffer from it.
These results support the growing view that schizophrenia and diabetes arise from a combination of genetic factors and environmental triggers; gluten being one such trigger.
The early results are promising because, if correct,notes head of UHI department of diabetes and cardiovascular science, Prof Ian Megson, they point to a day when, for some people, "a simple change in diet might prevent these diseases."
The UHI studies are supported by a £300,000 grant from the Schizophrenia Association of Great Britain.
Comments
I have Celiac and my Aunt, now passed had Schizophrenia. Family health puzzle is interesting.
I have gluten intolerances and attended the Pasadena Celiac Convention this past weekend. I learned so much about my food alergy and how I got it! Amazing what you can do with an education of your own body. Check out www.celiac.org! Good 411!!!
I eat wheat and have Schizophrenia... Guess I will cut back on that! Scary what wheat and ry I can do...
whats up with that Dr's hair???
It's hair dye. Or, were you not expecting the most obvious answer?
How interesting! I just read a similar account in the book, "Healthier Without Wheat" where the author (Dr. Wangen) also made this connection. He has seen this link in a few of his patients and shares their stories in his book. I am very much interested in this study; do you know where one can get a full-length copy of the study?
My daughter is schizophrenic and has gluten allergies as well. At the onset of her mental illness she had decided to go off her gluten-free diet and suffered for five years before going back on. A month ago she made the choice to go back on the diet and is already showing some improvements with her hallucinations. We are hoping that her meds will be lowered after a period of time of gluten-free eating.
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