We hear about gluten quite a bit these days. But, what is it exactly and how does it factor into autoimmune conditions and chronic inflammation?
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein in wheat, rye and barley. Gluten is commonly found in bread, pasta, crackers, baked goods, cereal and beer.
Humans have been consuming bread for at least 14,000 years but gluten intolerance has increased significantly in recent times. Some doctors and scientists believe this is due to environmental and food changes, including exposure to higher levels of stress and toxins, wheat varieties with higher gluten content, and diets higher in wheat than in previous times.
Gluten and Leaky Gut:
Gluten can be problematic for people dealing with autoimmune conditions and chronic inflammation, who often have what’s called “leaky gut.”
The intestine’s lining is made of millions of cells that are the gatekeepers of what gets into the bloodstream and what stays out. The gut lining may be weakened due to genetics, poor diet, and aging. When the gut lining weakens, the barrier becomes permeable and toxins and bacteria can enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation, bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivities, fatigue, headaches, joint paint, etc. This condition is referred to as “leaky gut.”
Gluten can cause leaky gut. When a food containing gluten enters the small intestine, the body produces a chemical called zonulin, which signals the intestinal walls to open and stay open.
Once the intestine wall is opened, things that aren’t supposed to be in the bloodstream are able to get in. Your immune system will spring into action, creating antibodies to combat the toxins, microbes and partially digested food that have made their way into the bloodstream. This can lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmune conditions.
Gluten and the Thyroid:
Leaky gut is particularly tough on the thyroid gland. When gluten enters the bloodstream, your immune system will create antibodies in response. The problem is, gluten’s molecular structure closely resembles thyroid tissue and the antibodies created to combat gluten also attack your healthy thyroid tissue. The body’s attack on the thyroid gland can lead to autoimmune hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s disease) or hyperthyroidism (Grave’s disease).
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Fatigue
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Weight gain
- Puffy face
- Hoarseness
- Muscle weakness
- Elevated blood cholesterol level
- Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
- Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
- Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
- Thinning hair
- Slowed heart rate
- Depression
- Impaired memory
- Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- Unintentional weight loss, even when your appetite and food intake stay the same or increase
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) — commonly more than 100 beats a minute
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Pounding of your heart (palpitations)
- Increased appetite
- Nervousness, anxiety and irritability
- Tremor — usually a fine trembling in your hands and fingers
- Sweating
- Changes in menstrual patterns
- Increased sensitivity to heat
- Changes in bowel patterns, especially more frequent bowel movements
- An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), which may appear as a swelling at the base of your neck
- Fatigue, muscle weakness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Skin thinning
- Fine, brittle hair
Given gluten’s role in leaky gut and autoimmune thyroid conditions, some doctors recommend people suffering from autoimmune disease, chronic inflammation, or any inflammatory symptoms eliminate gluten as a starting point to healing.
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