![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sukarno on May 22, 2007, at 6:34:05
Hi everyone. :-)
I was curious how many folks here are on a gluten-free diet or a gluten-free/casein-free diet. I've been on a gluten-free/casein-free diet since December. I buy only whole foods such as rice, broccoli, potatoes, extra virgin olive oil and rarely beef. Results have been great even though I haven't been investigated for Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance.
I noticed a drastic reduction in GERD (acid reflux) symptoms when I abstained from wheat products and other foods containing gluten. I can go to bed now on a full stomach without any acid reflux/heartburn. I also notice fewer intestinal pains (usually right-sided).
Coincidentally or not, I noticed a reduction in anxiety two months into the diet. I feel more relaxed. I was even able to cut back on Valium from 4 tablets a day to 3 tablets in March and feel just fine.
Now that I look back, I was so "wired" when I was eating lots of wheat (especially pasta and whole wheat bread).
I also read recently that gluten intolerance is linked to panic attacks, anxiety and depression.
My depression lifted when my anxiety decreased but now the depression is coming back (I really need a vacation...I'm sure that's the cause in this case. Maybe I should go to the beach or somewhere peaceful out in the country.)
I still take Stablon (tianeptine) too.
Just curious and would like to hear more from those on this diet or who have more information to share on this.
It was hard giving it up (I'd almost say it was addictive!) in the beginning, but now I have no pasta/wheat/bread cravings whatsoever.
Posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2007, at 10:23:39
In reply to Gluten-free/casein free diet and less anxiety, posted by sukarno on May 22, 2007, at 6:34:05
I don't eat much bread, no pasta, some cereal and that's it but I hear you saying your anxiety came before the depression this what happened to me. Thanks, Love Phillipa
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 22, 2007, at 10:38:07
In reply to Gluten-free/casein free diet and less anxiety, posted by sukarno on May 22, 2007, at 6:34:05
> It was hard giving it up (I'd almost say it was addictive!) in the beginning, but now I have no pasta/wheat/bread cravings whatsoever.
In fact, you very well could have gone through symptoms of opiate withdrawal, and cravings associated with that. There are at least three common food proteins which can be partially digested to produce opiate-active peptides: gluten and gliadin (from barley, rye, and especially wheat), and casein (from cow's milk). The fragments arise from incomplete fragmentation of the complex precursor proteins; very specific peptide fragments have the opioid activity. To distinguish these diet-based peptides from the naturally occurring endogenous peptides, the endorphins, they are collectively called exorphins. Individually, the peptides are named after the source protein, e.g. gluten exorphin A4, or the more evocative names gliadorphin, or beta-casomorphin-8. These are just examples. There are dozens of these peptides that we recognize, and likely many more yet to be discovered.
I recall discovering a food science (read, industrial food processing) paper online, perhaps a decade ago, which crowed about having isolated an enzyme which increased the yield of casomorphins 500% over the natural background levels produced during more typical industrial cheese-making. I shall forever after wonder just what is being added to a food when the ingredient list identifies "milk ingredients". Makes me think of the rephrasing that permits MSG to be called "natural flavor". Anyway.
I admire the discipline you demonstrate by eliminating these proteins from your diet. Modern food processing has put wheat and milk derivatives into foods that you might never have thought contained them. And you're not likely to discover just exactly what part of those sources has been included.
It would indeed take some weeks for the natural endorphin system to recalibrate after exclusion of the exogenous sources. More immediate effects could also explain the reduction in GERD; local intestinal effects of opiates include paralysis of normal peristalsis.
My sister is celiac. My dad and both of my sons have some degree of milk intolerance. At times, I absolutely crave dairy. Perhaps your post will serve as sufficient incentive for me to exert self-discipline, in this regard, and adopt an exclusion diet. Anecdotally, it has demonstrated efficacy in ADD, autism, schizophrenia, and mood and anxiety disorders. Couldn't hurt to stay away from overly processed foods, in any case.
Lar
Posted by Peddidle on May 22, 2007, at 15:51:11
In reply to Re: Gluten-free/casein free diet and less anxiety » sukarno, posted by Larry Hoover on May 22, 2007, at 10:38:07
My dad and my sister both have celiac, so I am very familiar with it. Sometimes depressive symptoms are actually part of the celiac, and not actually depression at all. You should be tested if there is any question-- it's just a simple blood test. If you have celiac, especially, you need to start reading labels; you'd be surprised how many things have hidden glutens in them.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.