When we published our book “The Gluten Effect” three years
ago, we coined the word ‘gluten sensitivity’ to mean an intolerance to gluten
that didn’t fall within the confines of a wheat allergy or celiac disease. We
were convinced this condition existed, despite very little to no agreement by
the scientific community at the time, based on the results and improved health
of our patients.
Today there is officially no doubt that gluten sensitivity
exists and affects a great number of people – likely 10+ times those affected
by celiac disease.
Where the conundrum lies now is that there is still
considered to be no ‘official’ lab test to diagnose gluten sensitivity.
Instead, based on a recent report published in BioMed Central, it is more of a process of elimination
whereby a wheat allergy and celiac disease are ruled out, but the individual
clearly feels better on a gluten-free diet and worse when they consume gluten.
However in the article mentioned above, there was mention of
a blood test called an AGA or anti-gliadin antibody test. This is a test that
measures the immune system’s reaction to ingested gluten. The paper stated that
there was a possibility that the AGA test could be used as a marker for
diagnosing gluten sensitivity.
To corroborate that, I came across another study from the
University of Bologna in Italy whereby individuals with celiac disease where
compared to those with gluten sensitivity and it was found that while those
with gluten sensitivity tested negative for all celiac blood tests, over half
of them tested positive for AGA.
These researchers stated that AGA could be valuable for
those suspected of having gluten sensitivity when celiac disease had been ruled
out.
I agree. I find the AGA test to be helpful when testing for
gluten sensitivity. However, the AGA test is looking at a small portion of the
gluten protein (a very large structure) and there are considered to be hundreds
of portions responsible for creating an intolerance to gluten in a patient. Therefore,
by looking at only one section, it only makes sense that we would miss
diagnosing many people. And sure enough that is the case. Not only do we only
diagnose 3-5% of the US population who suffer from celiac disease, when it
comes to gluten sensitivity it is likely far worse than that.
For that reason, I use a more comprehensive lab test that
looks at a wide variety of potentially problematic proteins and enzymes – 12 in
total.
It is quite possible, and I am speculating, that the 50% of
patients who didn’t test positive for AGA in the above study, would have tested
positive for one of the 11 other components in the above mentioned test.
Hopefully future studies will look at this.
More research needs to occur in this area, no argument. But
while that is occurring, I don’t want anyone to continue suffering or allow
their health to worsen because no one will definitely give them a diagnosis.
Too often, patients who test negative for celiac disease are told that they are
fine to consume gluten when nothing could be farther from the truth!
If you suspect gluten sensitivity might be causing you to
have digestive, emotional, neurological, hormonal or weight issues, please
contact me. I am here to help and would be delighted to assist you. Gluten
intolerance is a known cause of over 300 diseases and conditions, so it may
very well be the culprit affecting your health.
By the way, the lab test mentioned above is called an ‘Array
3’ and it is performed by Cyrex Labs. I have no personal connection to the lab
and am simply one of their customers.
I hope you found this information helpful and if you’d like
a free health analysis, please call 408-733-0400.
To your good health,
Dr Vikki Petersen, DC, CCN
Founder of HealthNOW Medical Center
Co-author of “The Gluten Effect”
Author of the eBook: “Gluten Intolerance – What
you don’t know may be killing you!”
No comments:
Post a Comment