There is a considerable amount of anecdotal evidence that following a gluten-free diet improves behavioral symptoms in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders, ASD, and many parents voluntarily place their children on a gluten-free diet hoping to see improvements in behavior.
Gluten Allergy and Celiac Disease
Gluten allergy is known as celiac disease. This genetic disorder causes the body to have an inappropriate immune response to wheat protein, or gluten. The body releases antibodies that attack the villi in the small intestine. Villi are responsible for absorbing nutrients from food. A person with celiac disease who ingests gluten can become malnourished even if they eat enough food.
There are more than 300 symptoms of celiac disease and many are not gastrointestinal in nature. Some nongastrointestinal symptoms include fatigue, shortness of stature or failure to thrive, tingling numbness in the legs and psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Prevalence of Celiac Disease
Celiac disease was once thought to be quite rare, but we now know that it affects 1 in 133 people in the United States. Many people with celiac disease do not exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms and are undiagnosed. Having a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with celiac disease increases the risk to as much as 1 in 22.
Nutrition and Behavior
Individuals with untreated celiac disease can experience nutritional deficiencies when the villi are damaged. These deficiencies can lead to behavioral and psychological problems such as depression, anxiety and hyperactivity. A 2007 study done in the Regional Hospital of Bolzano in Bolzano, Italy, concluded that ADHD-like symptoms are prevalent in people with untreated celiac disease. The study also suggests that a gluten-free diet may be helpful in managing ADHD symptoms.
Testing for Gluten Allergy
If you suspect a gluten allergy may be contributing to your child's hyperactivity, your pediatrician can order a blood test to screen for specific antibodies to gluten. These tests are not 100 percent accurate, especially in children whose immature immune systems may not yet produce antibodies to gluten. The blood test should be followed up with a biopsy of the small intestine to look for damage to the villi.
References
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Celiac Disease
- University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center: Symptoms
- "Journal of Attention Disorders"; A Preliminary Investigation of ADHD Symptoms in Persons with Celiac Disease; Niederhofer H, Pittschieler K.; November 2006
- American Celiac Disease Alliance: Diagnosis
