Gluten-free Diet And Depression

Depression can be defined as a deep, chronic feeling of sadness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it almost always requires treatment to improve. Many treatments exist, including natural remedies that can help a person avoid the need for antidepressant medications. A gluten-free diet is touted by some as an alternative treatment for depression, but conflicting research exists as to whether this is effective. It is important to talk with your doctor before beginning alternative treatments.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a condition that exists when a person cannot tolerate the protein gluten. There are many symptoms of celiac disease, such as bloating or gas, diarrhea, headaches, an inability to gain weight and fatigue. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness also lists other nonphysical symptoms, such as depression and irritability. As of 2010, following a gluten-free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease.

Depression

Research has shown that people with celiac disease do develop depression; however, the connection is not fully understood. A study titled "Anxiety and Depression in Adult Untreated Celiac Subjects and in Patients Affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Personality 'Trait' or a Reactive Illness?" published in the November/December 1996 issue of Hepatogastroenterology by Giovanni Addolorato, M.D., and others, examined the depressive symptoms of 16 people who fell into three groupings: Those with celiac disease, those with intestinal bowel disease, or IBD, and people considered healthy, with neither celiac disease nor IBD. The people with celiac disease had the highest incidence of depression of any of the subjects in the study.

Gluten-Free Diet

In a follow-up study conducted in May 2001 titled "Anxiety But Not Depression Decreases in Coeliac Patients After One Year on a Gluten-Free Diet: A Longitudinal Study," Dr. Addolorato and others compared the the improvement of depressive symptoms in people with celiac disease to those without the disease. As treatment, both groups of people followed a gluten-free diet for a year. A significant decrease in depression was not evidenced in either of the groups. In fact, at the end of the year, the people with celiac disease were reported to have worsened symptoms of depression.

Further Research

A March 2005 study titled "Gluten-free Diet May Alleviate Depressive and Behavioural Symptoms in Adolescents With Coeliac Disease: A Prospective Follow-up Case-Series Study," conducted by Päivi A Pynnönen and others, reviewed the status of adolescents with celiac disease and associated mental health symptoms before and after treatment with a gluten-free diet. These subjects were shown to have an improvement of symptoms after following a gluten-free diet, and the results were evident after just 3 months of following the new regimen.

Considerations

Following a gluten-free diet is a major dietary shift, and it is possible that people experience the depression associated with celiac disease simply because of this abrupt change in their eating pattern. It's important to remember that following a gluten-free diet takes time for adjustment. Consulting a registered dietitian can help.

Following a gluten-free diet for the treatment of depression requires further research to prove its validity. If you are suffering from depression, it's important to speak with your doctor to determine the best treatment options available to you.