Anxiety is a general term used to describe the presence of a variety of feelings such as fear, worry, restlessness, nervousness and concern. It commonly appears in adults who have celiac disease, a disorder characterized by unusual sensitivity to a protein called gluten. Elimination of dietary gluten can potentially ease anxiety symptoms in people with this disorder.
Celiac Disease and Gluten
Gluten is found naturally in rye, barley, wheat and foods made from these grains. It is also an ingredient in a wide variety of manmade vitamins, medicines and lip balms. In people with celiac disease, consumption of gluten-containing foods or use of gluten-containing products triggers a mistaken reaction by the immune system, which damages or destroys structures in the small intestine called villi. You need these villi to properly absorb food nutrients into your bloodstream. In addition to anxiety, potential symptoms of celiac disease include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, depression, bone loss, fatigue, anemia, canker sores, infertility and malnutrition.
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural, temporary reaction to stressful or dangerous situations. However, when anxiety occurs outside of these limited circumstances, it can trigger ongoing emotional disruptions that significantly decrease your everyday quality of life, the American Academy of Family Physicians explains. Potential symptoms of an anxiety disorder include rapid heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, trembling, unusual muscle tension, inability to concentrate, irritability and sleep loss. If you have a form of anxiety called a panic attack, you can develop additional symptoms that include chest pain, hot flashes and extreme fear of dying or losing self-control. People with a form of anxiety called phobia have reactions to specific situations like being in a crowd or specific things such as spiders or snakes.
Anti-Anxiety Effects
Elimination of dietary gluten can potentially reduce anxiety symptoms in adolescents with celiac disease, according to a study published in 2005 in "BioMed Central Psychiatry." Gluten elimination may also reduce depression and certain behavioral symptoms associated with the disease. A gluten-free diet can also ease symptoms of anxiety in adult celiac disease patients, researchers reported in 2010 in "Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology," the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association. Prior to eliminating dietary gluten, study participants with anxiety and other symptoms self-reported low levels of both physical health and mental well-being.
Considerations
While adoption of a gluten-free diet can reduce anxiety in adolescents, it can also potentially trigger episodes of serious depression, the authors of the study published in "BioMed Central Psychiatry" note. According to the study published in "Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology," when adults who have celiac disease but no obvious related symptoms start a gluten-free diet, they can experience decreases in their perceived health and increases in their level of health concern. As noted, concern is a potential indicator of anxiety. If you receive a celiac disease diagnosis, talk to your doctor about the potential benefits and effects of eliminating dietary gluten.
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians - FamilyDoctor.org: Anxiety and Panic; Gaining Control Over How You're Feeling
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Celiac Disease; September 2008
- "BioMed Central Psychiatry": Gluten-Free Diet May Alleviate Depressive and Behavioural Symptoms...Pynnonen, Isometsa, et al.; March 17, 2005
- "Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology": Diet Improves Perception of Health and Well-Being in Symptomatic...Patients With Celiac Disease; Ukkola, Maki, et al.; October 27, 2010
