Would Early Screening For Celiac Disease And Gluten Intolerance Decrease The High Prevalence Of Food Allergies, Intolerances, Or Sensitivities Evident In Many Countries?
Individuals with gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease (CD) have a higher risk of food allergies, intolerances, or sensitivities due to increased bowel permeability and a maladaptive intestinal environment. Could gluten be partially responsible for the increased prevalence of allergies in many countries? Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance is very under diagnosed. Therefore, it could be a hidden cause. As well, the increased prevalence of allergic conditions tends to correspond with the increased prevalence of Celiac Disease. Could this be a coincidence or is there a connection?
Many suffer with food allergies, intolerances, or sensitivities. If an individual has an anaphylactic response, the effects can be devastating, if not promptly treated. Others can suffer with a wide range of multisystem symptoms that can be debilitating emotionally and physically. Could preventative screening of all children for Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance decrease the prevalence of other reactions to food? If so, I believe the costs related to this preventative screening would be well spent. Many might benefit if this truly prevented allergy development. Decreased permeability of the bowel associated with eating a strict gluten-free diet may be a preventative treatment. Healthcare dollars related to treating allergic conditions and undiagnosed CD would be saved, lives may be saved (some loose their life due to anaphylactic allergies), and many could live an increased quality of life without the stress associated with allergies and undiagnosed CD. What do you think? Do you believe there could be a connection? If you have food allergies or sensitivities, have you been tested for CD or gluten intolerance?
Extra Information: In individuals that are genetically predisposed to Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance, gluten consumption can lead to increased expression of zonulin (a human protein that is a haptoglobin 2 precursor) in the intestinal tissues. This increases intestinal permeability allowing macromolecules (ex. food antigens, bacterial, and viral particles) exposure to the immune system. The immune systems exposure to gluten and the subsequent autoimmune reaction is thought to be responsible for the intestinal and other systemic damage seen in Celiac Disease. Unfortunately, the increased bowel permeability can also increase the risk of developing food allergies/intolerances/sensitivities.
References:
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