Gluten and Multiple Sclerosis

Most of us associate disorders related to a gluten-rich diet with gastrointestinal issues, such as celiac disease. However, medicine is increasingly discovering new conditions linked to gluten intolerance, leading to disorders in various organs, including the nervous system.

I'll start by saying what I always emphasize:

the causes of MS can vary, and all symptoms classified as MS might be symptoms of other diseases.

What can we do?

 

Gluten vs. Nervous System

Neurological diseases currently pose a very serious problem and are the second leading cause of death, after cardiovascular diseases. This trend was already observed in 2015 and has been increasing each year. As a result, the medical community has been forced to examine the problem more closely, particularly focusing on identifying its root cause.

We are all aware that an improper diet leads to serious diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, some neurological disorders, and globally recognized obesity, which is now treated pharmacologically. Interestingly, one-third of patients with celiac disease report neurological or neuropsychiatric symptoms. As mentioned earlier, gluten is the culprit behind this condition.

But what exactly is this "gluten"?

Gluten is the protein component of wheat grains, constituting about 90% of all proteins found in them. It is a complex of several proteins, including gliadin and glutenin. It is gliadin that can trigger the development of our immune response, a fact that has been medically confirmed for decades.

 

Mechanisms of Celiac Disease

To understand the mechanisms causing celiac disease, we must look at the intestines. Their primary functions include digestion and nutrient absorption, as well as regulating the body's water-electrolyte balance. The intestines have a vast surface area, enabling communication between our body and the external environment. Through cooperation with the immune and neuroendocrine systems, they create an anatomical and functional barrier.

The intestines also play a role in maintaining the balance between tolerance and immune response to external antigens. Disruption of this function and increased intestinal permeability can lead to the development of many diseases, primarily of autoimmune nature.

Studies have shown that gluten contributes to increased intestinal permeability, which can lead to the development of various diseases. The number of such diseases is increasing every year. Both innate and adaptive immune mechanisms can be involved in the immune response.

 

Why is Gluten Harmful?

Why does gluten harm some of us? The blame lies in the technological processes of wheat cultivation and processing to obtain higher amounts of gluten. This process happens so quickly that not every immune system can develop tolerance mechanisms. In recent years, gluten production and consumption have increased enormously, revealing new disorders caused by gluten, affecting not only the digestive system but mainly the nervous system.

Current Research on Gluten and MS

As of today, studies suggest a link between gluten consumption and MS! Elevated levels of anti-tTG2 antibodies were found in 10% of MS patients, compared to 2.4% in healthy controls. Another study reported the presence of AGA antibodies in nearly 16% of MS patients.

Peripheral neuropathy, characterized by symptoms like numbness, tingling, chills, pain, burning, and sensory disturbances, is the second most common neurological disorder related to gluten consumption, after ataxia!

 

Many times we hear about people "curing" MS through diet or lifestyle changes. Perhaps they managed to consciously or unconsciously eliminate something that caused MS symptoms, or maybe even MS itself. To everyone diagnosed with MS:

you don't have an incurable disease, the doctor doesn't know what's wrong with you, and he can't cure you. Never give up, always seek the cause, and FIGHT!