NeuroTalk Support Groups - Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- Sleep Apnea & Sleep Disorders (https://www.neurotalk.org/sleep-apnea-and-sleep-disorders/)

- - Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia (https://www.neurotalk.org/sleep-apnea-and-sleep-disorders/29295-narcolepsy-idiopathic-hypersomnia.html)

Oh yeah, there is GF beer too. Redbridge I think.
Wine and distilled liquors are GF.

Interesting fact- if you have narcolepsy long enough you'll kill off all your orexin cells and lose your desire to drink alcohol anyway. Happened to me ten years ago.

Going to restaurants must be a nightmare !

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heidi L (Post 159710)

As to why gluten causes so many problems: because antibodies are not completely specific. They are supposed to bind to the gluten but they bind to other proteins that have amino acid sequences that are similar to gluten. In addition, there are numerous different antibodies that can be produced in response to gluten, so different tissues may be targeted.

Is there a list of proteins in the body that have amino acid sequences that are similar to gluten ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heidi L (Post 159711)

Interesting fact- if you have narcolepsy long enough you'll kill off all your orexin cells and lose your desire to drink alcohol anyway. Happened to me ten years ago.

I've never heard of "orexin cells". What are their function and what part of the body are they in ?

Most restaurants offer gluten free options, you just have to be careful.

Orexin is a neurotransmitter that promotes wakefulness. Lack of it causes the symptoms of narcolepsy.

Anyhow, I spent the last couple days writing a less technical version of my paper. Please read it.

http://www.lindborglabs.com/LessTechnical.htm

Is there a list of proteins in the body that have amino acid sequences that are similar to gluten ?

Why would somebody be affected with one medical disorder rather than another ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Van Coover (Post 159716)

Going to restaurants must be a nightmare !

Well, it can be. But, many chain restaurants actually offer GF menus now. Here are some.
http://www.glutenfreeandbeyond.org/f...7cfeed47778f3a

And for a little reassurance, there are actually THREE different gluten free beers available. Six years ago there were none. And if you home brew, you can get gluten free ingredients, too.

REDBRIDGE by Anhueser-Bush
http://www.anheuser-busch.com/press_...ge_122006.html

New Grist by Lakefront Brewery
http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com/sorghum.html

Bard's Tale (even available at Outback Steakhouse)
http://www.bardsbeer.com/testimonials.asp

Gluten sensitivity is associated with a number of autoimmune, neurological, and other diseases. As this is becoming better recognized, the gluten free population is growing, and gluten free menu options and specialty products are becoming increasingly available.

The cost is starting to come down on some of the specialty products, but generally they are more expensive. BUT, you can manage a satisfying gluten free diet without any specialty products at all. I personally do buy gluten free pasta, pretzels, and sometimes bagels. I make my own bread. You can bake cakes and cookies with gluten free flours, or buy ready made mixes. Or just do without those things. Gluten does have addictive properties, and once it is removed from your diet, you sometimes just stop wanting it.

Anyway... just wanted to make the point that while a gluten free diet takes commitment (it has to be strict) and is a big adjustment in the beginning, before long it is second nature. I've been gluten free for six years now. It is 100% EASY at home, but a bit of a nuisance when traveling or eating away from home... but with a bit of forethought, can be done.

Cara

There seems to be a major gap in the Gluten theory that is puzzling me.

There does not appear to be any reason why somebody would be affected with one medical disorder rather than another.

Even if there are proteins in the body that have similar structures to the two proteins in gluten, and that each of these proteins are related to a different medical disorder, it still doesn't explain why only one of these would be affected in one individual and another would be affected in another individual.

It's not the gluten. It's the antibodies created by an allergic reaction to gluten. Allergies are genetically based.
By your reasoning we should all be dead of peanut induced anaphylaxis. But then again, you think narcolepsy can be cured with massive amounts of sleep....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heidi L (Post 161092)

It's not the gluten. It's the antibodies created by an allergic reaction to gluten. Allergies are genetically based.

True, but that doesn't respond to the question I asked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heidi L (Post 161092)

By your reasoning we should all be dead of peanut induced anaphylaxis.

I haven't put forward any reasoning. What I have asked could not remotely be associated with "peanut induced anaphylaxis."

I have previously studied and experimented with sleep very extensively. You started the Thread with a hypothesis. I am interested to see if there is anything in it. The only source I can go to of your theory is you. If the theory is true there should be a direct sequence of links between gluten and one medical disorder rather than another. However, the explanations put forward so far such as allergies and antibodies simply don't forge those links.