Translation: Is gluten linked to neurological disorders?
Several research studies suggest that in approximately 50% of cases tested in the studies, people with gluten sensitivities also experience some form of neurological disorder. That’s not to say that it’s true in 50/100 cases as much as it is for 50,000/ 100,000 cases however it does pose some question and consideration as to whether eating gluten is really worth it.
Without scare-mongering too much, the neurological diseases found to be linked to celiac disorder and non-descript gluten sensitivities are pretty nasty things. In several cases the illnesses in question are degenerative conditions affecting sensory nerves (the ones that allow you to feel, see, hear, smell and taste).
In every case the neurological condition was a chronic (long term) thing that, although instigated early on, would only become apparent in each test subject’s mid to late 50s.
At no point did any of the research we reviewed suggest that if you eat gluten you have a 50% chance of developing a degenerative neural disorder in later life. The conclusion made from several sources was really that if you have a gluten sensitivity (as we know 35% of people have in a significant way, plus the potential for more) then you may be at a 50% risk. A big price to pay for having a butty every day.
Our recommendation is that there are many reasons why gluten is or may be an unhealthy food stuff. The research reviewed here compounds that argument. This should provoke consideration as to whether you should completely avoid gluten. In general the food industry is profit driven rather than health driven so therefore Gluten being a common component of a western diet isn’t a valid defence for eating it.
Most people reading this will be more concerned with the weight loss inhibiting effects of gluten rather than the potential long term health risks but weight loss and fat annihilation is a happy side effect of good, long term health. Look after yourself now and benefit in the future.
Steve
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