Posted on 05/04/2009 7:31:49 PM PDT by MetaThought
Scottish scientists believe that gluten-rich foods could help trigger schizophrenia in people with a genetic predisposition to the condition.
The researchers at the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) are looking at the links between schizophrenia and diabetes.
The two studies undertaken by geneticist Dr Jun Wei and his team in Inverness are to be funded by £300,000 from the Schizophrenia Association of Great Britain.
The first project is to explore the links between schizophrenia and diabetes, while the second project focuses on the role of gluten in schizophrenia and diabetes.
Gluten is the protein commonly found in rye, wheat and barley, and it is already recognised as a trigger for serious diseases related to the gut, most notably coeliac disease.
It is now emerging that gluten might also be associated with other auto-immune diseases including schizophrenia and type 1 diabetes.
Professor Ian Megson, head of the UHI Department of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Science, said in a statement: "The reason that gluten might provide a link between these apparently quite different diseases is that, in people with a particular genetic make-up that results in their bodies' inability to handle gluten in the normal way, the immune system becomes unusually active.
"In this way, cells in the blood that are designed to combat infections begin to target healthy tissue, which can lead to impaired function of affected organs (gut, brain or pancreas) and disease."
He added: "This research is at an early stage, but if the theory is correct and those at risk are identified very early in life, a simple change in diet might prevent these diseases developing in some individuals."
Dr Wei said: "An individual's inherited genes, together with factors from the environment in which they have lived, are now considered to be central to development of both schizophrenia and diabetes.
"Gluten is one such environmental factor. More than 30% of schizophrenia sufferers have high levels of antibodies against wheat gluten in their body so a gluten-free diet might help to reduce the symptoms of this mental condition.
"We are also investigating if gluten acts as a trigger for schizophrenia in people who have a genetic predisposition to it."
stv.tv local news is powered by Well Contented Ltd
Diabetes ping.
This association has been suspected — and disputed — for some time. It is good to see credible evidence being developed so as to resolve the question. Thanks for the post.
What about when someone is paranoid and delusional about the dangers of gluten? What causes that?
The rest of us should just go along on our merry way.
I only like LIQUID bread.
thanks, bfl
Ah, yes, liquid bread! Had some Sierra Nevada Wet Hop Ale myself tonight!
I have spent a great deal of time in Germany over the past few years with an number of American ex-pats living there...they swear there beer made there in local breweries is made with so much wheat and barely that it is the equivalent of eating a loaf of bread with every stein...tell me that’s why they don’t pee as much as with our American beer...Don’t know if it’s true, but it sounds fun while we are sitting around roasting pigs and drinking till late in the night...and no ugly feelings in the a.m. and whether psychosomatic or not, I do need to go less frequently when there :)
Well, there's typical American beer, and then there's American craft brewed beer! I would guess that your German friends would be able to tell the difference.
Good things can sometimes come out of bad beginnings. Say for example FDR creating the highway system. The highway system is great, but it doesn't excuse FDR.
...breeding
You can start with your children.
There are definitely reports that suggest that gluten-sensitivity is way more common than reported.
What about when someone is ignoring and mocking the dangers of gluten? What causes that?
Well, you don’t have to worry about this problem with (formerly-)American (pseudo-)beers like Budweiser.
There’s no gluten in rice!
BTW, I just had a gluten-loaded homebrew. :-)
Delicious gluten.
Sarcasm.
Ping
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.