Could there be a food-based cure for schizophrenia, depressive disorders, celiac disease, autoimmune and many brain degenerative diseases? It is my firm conviction that diet – both what it may be deficient in as well as its potential toxicity – can cause what we label as mental illness. In medical school, we learn about the mental repercussions of nutrient deficiencies such as Beriberi (thiamin), Pellagra (niacin), and B12-deficiency induced dementia. We know that minerals such as magnesium and zinc are critical cofactors for basic functions and that fatty acids are essential in the support of cell membrane health.
Gluten, from the Latin, “glue” is a composite of proteins comprised of gliadin and glutenin, found in wheat, with similar ‘glutinous’ proteins known as prolamines found in related grains such as rye (secalin), corn (Zein), and barley (hordein), and casein is the name for a family of proteins in mammalian milk. How does this relate to the average patient scheduling an appointment with a psychiatrist? Is it possible that our modern, post-industrial foods – sugar, gluten, processed dairy, and genetically modified soy and corn are conspiring with nutrient deficiencies in an incendiary collaboration that will give rise to gut/brain degeneration? (R)
These given below two foods may be the reason behind brain degeneration.
These given below two foods may be the reason behind brain degeneration.
Suspect # 1 Food: Gluten
Gluten sensitivity can be primary, and at times, exclusively behind a neurological disease. Gluten use complement fixation as an indication of immune reactivity to food/immune complexes that disrupt cellular functioning, demonstrating that those with immune reactions were 4.36 times more likely to be chronic schizophrenics.
There have been observations linking schizophrenia and Celiac disease, suggesting that the role of the immune system plays prominently in this poorly understood disorder.
A recent study contributes to the literature suggesting a bidirectional relationship between schizophrenia and autoimmune diseases.
The role of antibody complexes features prominently in the work of Severance. Who has explored gluten and casein in mental illness, primarily in a cohort of recent onset schizophrenics, non-recent onset schizophrenics, and non-psychiatric controls?
A 33-year-old patient, with a pre-existing diagnosis of ‘schizophrenic’ disorder, came to our observation for severe diarrhea and weight loss. A gluten-free diet was started, resulting in a disappearance of psychiatric symptoms, and normalization of histological duodenal findings and of SPECT pattern.”
This means that someone avoided a lifetime of medication with antipsychotics by eliminating gluten from their diet.
In a related report, a case series of three patients treated for depressive syndromes without active intestinal complaints experienced resolution of symptoms on a gluten-free diet within 2-3 months, including one patient who was medicated during pregnancy and was able to stop medication within 2 months of dietary change
In one study, the inflammatory response was noted in healthy volunteers, suggesting that gluten may cause reactions in everyone. (R)
Also, Read- Top Reason Why we should avoid Gluten & How Long it takes to see the healing effect after going on Gluten-Free Diet
Also, Read- Top Reason Why we should avoid Gluten & How Long it takes to see the healing effect after going on Gluten-Free Diet
Suspect # 2 Food- Dairy
The molecular similarity between gluten and casein makes them co-conspirators. With quantitatively less literature; however, dairy immune provocation appears to be more variable from person to person.
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“anti-casein IgG associations with bipolar I diagnoses, psychotic symptom history, and mania severity scores suggest that casein-related immune activation may relate to the psychosis and mania components of this mood disorder.”
Beyond direct brain stimulation and poor digestion with local inflammation, cow dairy may also be a source of folate antibodies which can gum up receptors responsible for transporting this critical nutrient to the brain. This study established a linear relationship between these antibodies and exposure to milk – demonstrating resolution of antibodies on a milk-free diet and return with the reintroduction of milk.
Gluten and casein free diets have been systematically studied in the autistic population, including in randomized trials; however, no such study design could account for the potentially high yield outcomes in any given individual. There are many wonderful and freely available guides to converting to a gluten-free life, but the basic principle is to eliminate rye, barley, wheat, and unspecified oats. Essentially, going gluten-free should mean eliminating processed food from your life, which is why I have a low threshold to also recommend elimination of co-reactive foods like dairy (casein), corn, soy, and in some cases legumes (including peanuts), and gluten-free grains like rice and millet. Dairy elimination would include all milk-based foods and products including yogurt, cheese, and ice cream. Think of these changes as a prescription for brain healing and for bringing your wellness onto a higher plane.
Celiac Disease Natural TreatmentReferences
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3641836/
