Post Date: January 18, 2011

American Journal of Gastroenterology Validates non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity

The presence of common GI symptoms in non-Celiac patients confirms other mechanisms besides Celiac Disease.

Phoenix, Arizona______ The American Journal of Gastroenterology’s January 11, 2011 issue published the report of a highest-standards-in-research study (double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled rechallenge trial) in patients diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome who claim considerable improvement in gut symptoms with the institution of a gluten-free diet. The study had a specific goal according to the authors “The aims of this study were to examine the hypotheses that gluten can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in patients without celiac disease and to preliminary screen for potential mechanisms of whether gluten does so by causing intestinal injury and / or inflammation in such subjects.”

The Authors acknowledged “Gluten intolerance in individuals without celiac disease is a controversial issue and has recently been described as the “no man’s land of gluten sensitivity.” In this study, patients with irritable bowel syndrome in whom celiac disease was excluded and who were symptomatically controlled on a gluten-free diet received either gluten or placebo in the form of two bread slices plus one muffin per day with a gluten-free diet for up to 6 weeks. Symptoms were evaluated using a visual analog scale and markers of intestinal inflammation, injury, and immune activation were monitored. The Authors concluded that in some individuals ‘Non-celiac gluten intolerance’ may exist.”

Am J Gastroenterol. 2011 Jan 11