The immune system learns to recognize the antigens from the body’s own cells as “self” and also to tolerate the many “nonself” tags on beneficial intestinal microbes and food particles. But in some people, the immune cells misread the antigens attached to HLA, mistaking, say, pollen for a cold virus or gluten for a toxin. Then they send out a faulty danger signal that makes their body’s own cells look suspicious, summoning other immune cells to attack the body’s tissue.
"Despite the progress made in understanding the immunological aspects of the pathogenesis of coeliac disease (CD), the early steps that allow gliadin to cross the intestinal barrier are still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to establish whether gliadin activates a zonulin dependent enterocyte intracellular signalling pathway(s) leading to increased intestinal permeability."
"The truth is that agriculture is the most destructive thing humans have done to the planet, and more of the same won’t save us. The truth is that agriculture requires the wholesale destruction of entire ecosystems. The truth is also that life isn’t possible without death, that no matter what you eat, someone has to die to feed you."
"Celiac disease reflects back to us how profoundly our diet has diverged from what was until only recently a grain free diet, and even more recently, a wheat free one. We are so profoundly distanced from that dramatic Neolithic transition in cultural time that 'missing is any sense that anything is missing.' The body on the other hand can not help but to remember a time when cereal grains were alien to the diet, because in biological time it was only moments ago."
"Celiac disease, an immune system reaction to gluten in the diet, is at least four times as common today as it was 50 years ago, according to findings of a Mayo Clinic study published this month in the journal Gastroenterology. Joseph Murray, M.D., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologis, describes the study findings and provides background on the disease, its symptoms and treatment."
Following current theories about this condition, I can't help but wonder if the increased incidence of Celiac disease could be related to some type of viral intervention. There is emerging evidence that the IGRM gene, which is directly related to Crohn's/Celiac disease, has recently been resurrected after being inactivated millions of years ago by a human endogenous retrovirus:
"For 25 million years, the IRGM gene was effectively dead. But then, in the common ancestor of humans and the great apes, something unexpected happened. The gene somehow regained its ability to produce a protein, albeit a shortened one. The gene had been resurrected, and ironically enough, its saviour was another genetic hitchhiker that inserted itself in just the right place."
This may very well be the first documented examples of gene death and rebirth. It would seem to follow that there could be a link with HERVs, the IRGM gene, and the recent increase in gluten intolerance and Crohn's disease.
I would be curious to hear people's comments about this theory.
Daniel Engber over at Slate thinks Gluten Intolerance is all in your head. He states "Is it a coincidence that the specter of gluten intolerance only emerged in the midst of the low-carb bonanza?"
But Daniel might be onto something. For example, how about those annoying diabetics and always having to watch what they eat to control their blood sugar? Diabetes is just caused from too many people cutting sugar out of their diets... right?
And people with peanut allergies... always insisting on asking what is in their food to prevent anaphylactic shock. I mean peanut allergies are just a fad anyways... right?
And don't even get me started on the Phenylketonurics... always concerned about phenylalanine in their food! This is probably a result of the Low Carb diet fad as well... might want to tell the hospitals to stop testing the newborns for this genetic condition.
Like any other syndrome, you can recognize this condition by its many tell-tale signs:
--Flat abdomen --Rapid weight loss --High energy --Less mood swings --Better sleep --Diminished appetite --Reduced blood sugar --Reduced blood pressure --Reduced small LDL and total LDL --Increased HDL --Reduced triglycerides --Reduced C-reactive protein and other inflammatory measures
"However, while most agree that the majority of Darwin’s symptoms were gastrointestinal in nature, some remain unconvinced that the best explanation was that Darwin was lactose intolerant. Instead, they point to a more serious disorder known as Crohn’s Disease. This new diagnosis is garnering much support within the medical community, in that Crohn’s – even more so than lactose intolerance – accounts for the vast majority of Darwin’s incapacitating symptoms."
"Children of mothers who have autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and celiac disease have up to a three times greater risk for autism, a new study finds."
"John F. Kennedy was diagnosed with Addison’s, but also may have suffered from celiac disease and had documented symptoms that seem to suggest this diagnosis. His health improved dramatically when he became president and began receiving better treatment for these conditions. Kennedy was in the best physical shape of his life when he was assassinated."
A group of inventors has come up with a way to preserve the shelf life of produce by coating with a very thin layer of wheat gluten:
"if such film is applied on fresh horticulture produces, they not only extend the shelf-life by virtue of excellent barrier properties but also give choice and statutory right to consumer to eat edible film as such or removed simply by washing"
Yep, you can just wash it off... I am sure there would be no residue of gluten left on my apple... right?
"Genetic predisposition, miscommunication between innate and adaptive immunity, exposure to environmental triggers, and loss of the intestinal barrier function secondary to dysfunction of intercellular tight junctions, seem to all be key ingredients involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. This new theory implies that, once the autoimmune process is activated, it is not self-perpetuating; rather, it can be modulated or even reversed by preventing the continuous interplay between genes and environment."
The immune system learns to recognize the antigens from the body’s own cells as “self” and also to tolerate the many “nonself” tags on beneficial intestinal microbes and food particles. But in some people, the immune cells misread the antigens attached to HLA, mistaking, say, pollen for a cold virus or gluten for a toxin. Then they send out a faulty danger signal that makes their body’s own cells look suspicious, summoning other immune cells to attack the body’s tissue.
