Is There A Connection Between Gluten And Neuropathy?

Today's post from neuropathydr.com (see link below) discusses the much debated link between neuropathy and gluten intake. It's becoming more and more evident that people with neuropathy who give up or reduce gluten in their diets, find that there is a resulting improvement in their symptoms. That of course, says very little until there is very strong scientific evidence to back up the link. It may be worth doing your own research to build up enough information to make an educated decision about gluten in your own situation. One thing is certain, giving up gluten is no easy task. It's such an integral part of our diet, many people find the alternatives both boring and difficult to maintain. However, if it means that your neuropathic symptoms improve...

Gluten Neuropathy? Are They Connected? 
Posted by Dr John Hayes jr on May 15, 2014

All of us can remember at some point in time, walking into a bakery or kitchen where fresh breads and pastries were being made.

The aroma can be overwhelming and draws us like magnets.

Now once upon a time most especially when human beings were externally physically active, bread was in fact the staff of life. There was no problem consuming massive amounts of carbohydrates as long as it was consumed during physical activity.

Well Flash Forward 300 years and the situation is now, entirely different. Not only are we less active but grains are often heavily processed, grown on nutrient deficient soils, or perhaps even GMO.

Breads and pastries are also sources of extremely high carbohydrate levels. In fact a sandwich can have 40 to 60 grams of carbohydrates!

And this has had an effect on neuropathy and our health in general.

With neuropathy however the stakes are higher. Gluten can and does cause celiac disease.

Sometimes in celiac disease, the only presentation is a gluten neuropathy.

Most of the time however, it’s a simple fact that gluten can aggravate our bellies at the least and yes even our aches and pains including neuropathy.

You see gluten is a gooey protein. That’s what gives bread that wonderful texture.

But most of us who stop eating gluten on regular basis find out quickly how much better we feel.

It appears that this is because even those of us who don’t have celiac disease and even test negative for allergy to gluten, may still be “sensitive”.

In gluten neuropathy as well as in other patients it appears that gluten may actually trigger inflammatory reactions. This ads to pain, stiffness and posibly neuropathy symptoms.

However the evidence is not conclusive, and there are many that would argue this point.

What I can tell you, as a clinician is that many patients feel so much better we feel it’s worth a try.

http://neuropathydr.com/gluten-neuropathy/