celiac PART THREE

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http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/celiac.html

 

Neurological damage occurs with celiac disease. Early on this was thought

to be due to nutrient deficiencies caused by malabsorption. Current

research shows that the problem is more complex. Celiac disease stimulates

the production of antibodies which attack areas besides the intestine

including the central nervous system. About 40% of patients who suffer

from idiopathic sporadic ataxia have celiac disease which damages their

central nervous systems. [9,10,11] The neurological symptoms of celiac

disease mimic the symptoms of multiple sclerosis to the degree that celiac

must always be ruled out when diagnosing this disease. [12] The

neurological conditions caused by celiac disease are now called gluten

ataxia and cause damage to the cerebellum, the posterior columns of the

spinal cord, and the peripheral nerves. [13]

 

The studies on gluten ataxia have revealed a significant statistic. In

patients who had clearly measurable antibodies that are diagnostic of celiac

disease and were suffering from gluten ataxia, only 13% had any

gastrointestinal complaints. In other words, the hallmark symptoms of poor

digestion we associate with celiac disease and use to diagnose the condition

may be absent in 87% of patients with gluten related problems! [14] This

suggests that celiac may be way under diagnosed.