Celiac disease and its precursor – gluten intolerance – are associated with a remarkably wide range of disorders, including both rheumatic diseases and behavioral disorders.
The rheumatic disorders – involving bones, cartilage, joints, and connective tissue – include
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
The behavioral disorders associated with gluten intolerance and celiac disease include
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
- Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADDH)
- Autism
- Bipolar disorder
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
Gluten intolerance is the most common food-based autoimmune disease affecting humans. Recent studies suggest from 10 to 35% of Americans are susceptible to gluten intolerance. In susceptible individuals, large gluten protein fragments cause chronic inflammatory and systemic autoimmune responses.
It seems the ongoing and long-term presence of immune-reaction complexes and other proteins associated with the biochemical inflammatory cascade are responsible for the wide range of related conditions. Recent studies have focused on the associations of gluten intolerance with ADD, ADDH, and autism.
One study found ADDH symptoms improved significantly in a short period of time following institution of a gluten-free diet, in persons with celiac disease.2 These authors suggested that celiac disease be included in lists of diseases associated with ADDH-like symptoms.
In adolescents, celiac disease has been associated with increased depressive and disruptive-behavior disorders. A 2005 study demonstrated a significant decrease in psychiatric symptoms after three months on a gluten-free diet.2 Additionally, significant decreases in celiac disease activity were found.
A gluten-free diet may provide across-the-board benefits for persons with gluten intolerance, including young people with various chronic behavioral disorders. Additional proactive lifestyle activities, including vitamin D and calcium supplementation, and dietary prebiotics and probiotics, may provide enhanced benefit, support, and symptomatic improvement.
1Niederhofer H, Pittschieler K: A preliminary investigation of ADHD symptoms in persons with celiac disease. J Atten Disord 10(2):200-204, 2006
2Pynnonen PA, et al: Gluten-free diet may alleviate depressive and behavioural symptoms in adolescents with coeliac disease. BMC Psychiatry 5:14, 2005
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