[jccgf]

Gluten sensitivity in multiple sclerosis: experimental myth or clinical truth?

Shor DB, Barzilai O, Ram M, Izhaky D, Porat-Katz BS, Chapman J, Blank M, Anaya JM, Shoenfeld Y.
Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel.

Patients with neurological disease of unknown etiology sometimes present with antigliadin and antitissue transglutaminase antibodies. The association between these antibodies and multiple sclerosis has been previously suggested. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of these antibodies in multiple sclerosis patients. We determined the level of serum immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G antigliadin and antitissue transglutaminase antibodies in 98 patients with multiple sclerosis. We found a highly significant increase in titers of immunoglobulin G antibodies against gliadin and tissue transglutaminase in the multiple sclerosis patients. Seven patients had a positive IgG AGA, whereas only 2 controls presented positive titers (P = 0.03). Four patients had positive IgG anti-tTG while all the controls tested negative (P = 0.02). However, immunoglobulin A antibodies against gliadin and tissue transglutaminase were not statistically higher in the multiple sclerosis group in comparison to the control group. Our findings support the associations between antibodies against gliadin and tissue transglutaminase to multiple sclerosis. The specific role of these antibodies in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis remains uncertain and requires additional research. A gluten free diet should be considered in specific cases of patients who present with gluten antibodies.
PMID: 19758171 Sept 2009

[ewizabeth]

I'm a little over a month of a gluten free trial. It hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be. We have a little co-op store for organic foods nearby and when I just called they said they have lots of gluten free products. The only things I really need to buy that are special is pasta and noodles, and flour replacement. I ordered some of those online but I'd prefer to get them at a local store.

So far I have less pain and less bloating after meals.

[msarkie]

I'm a little over 2 months into what is basically a gluten free, no red meat diet. My gut feels SO much better, and I've lost 20 pounds. I can feel the difference if I eat even one piece of regular bread. My DH can even feel it from outside my stomach. I know this was never a problem for me before MS, or at least when I was younger.

I discovered Ezekiel Bread at the natural foods store and have become addicted! Also some crackers called Nut Thins that are made from ground nut flour. They have pecan, almond, and hazelnut.