Gluten is the protein component of grains like barley, rye, spelt and wheat. While gluten itself has not been medically associated with anxiety, doctors and researchers have found a high incidence of anxiety in people with an intolerance to gluten. The reasons for this link have not been sufficiently researched, but one common theory currently under study is that compliance with a gluten-free diet plays a role.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease of the digestive system caused by an intolerance to gluten. When gluten enters the digestive system of a person with CD, it triggers an immune response in the body, meaning the body begins fighting the gluten as though it were a bacteria or virus. This can lead to many uncomfortable, painful and even debilitating symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, skin rash and joint and muscle pain.
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are common among people with CD. A 2001 "Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology" study found that anxiety levels in CD patients decreased after spending 1 year on a gluten-free diet. A 2010 study in the "World Journal of Gastroenterology" found that female CD patients in particular were at higher risk of developing anxiety than the general population and recommendation women with CD undergo anxiety screening.
Social Phobia
Social phobia is one type of anxiety disorder that appears to be prevalent in CD patients. A 2008 "Scandinavian Journal Of Gastroenterology" research report revealed that a significantly higher proportion of CD patients studied experienced social phobia than the control group, 70 percent to 16 percent. However, the differences between those on a GFD and those not on one were statistically insignificant, suggesting that the more direct correlate with the social phobia is not the gluten but the gluten intolerance.
Dietary Compliance
Researchers have surmised that a great deal of the anxiety common in those with a gluten allergy or intolerance is caused by the internalized pressure surrounding the effort to keep gluten out of the diet. A GFD includes no traditional breads and no bagels, doughnuts or pizza. Although an increasing number of gluten-free food alternatives are appearing on the market, they tend to cost significantly more than their gluten-containing counterparts. Also, users of these products often complain that gluten-free foods don't have the same taste or texture as the foods they're made to emulate. All this can be a source of anxiety for people with CD.
Other Gluten Sensitivities
The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide observes that an increasing number of people are having difficulty digesting gluten, though they don't have CD. However, even without the CD diagnosis, these people must undergo the same dietary adjustments as those with CD if they are to avoid experiencing the symptoms of their sensitivity. Dr. Melita Marcial-Schuster reports that 1 in 300 to 500 people has some degree of gluten intolerance.
References
- "Scandinavian Journal Of Gastroenterology"; Anxiety But Not Depression Decreases In Coeliac Patients After One-Year Gluten-Free Diet; G. Addolorato, et al.; May 2001
- "World Journal Of Gastroenterology"; Anxiety And Depression In Adult Patients With Celiac Disease On A Gluten-Free Diet; W. Hauser, et al.; Jun 2010
- "Scandinavian Journal Of Gastroenterology"; Social Phobia In Coeliac Disease; G. Addolorato, et al.; 2008
- "The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide"; Getting Out The Gluten; Jul 2009
- Des Moines University Clinic; "What Is Gluten Intolerance"; 2010
