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The Surprising Connection Between Wheat Gluten and Brain Inflammation — Gluten intolerance test in Marbella

16/09/2023

One of the mainstays of many diets worldwide is wheat gluten, a protein present in wheat and related grains. However, recent research in New Zealand has uncovered a surprising link between wheat gluten and brain inflammation in mice, raising questions about its potential impact on human health. Here, we talk about this studies and where to get a gluten intolerance test in Marbella.

 

The Study

In a ground-breaking study, scientists in New Zealand used mice to test the impact of wheat gluten on brain function. Here's what they discovered:

Wheat Gluten Causes Brain Inflammation

The researchers found that adding gluten to both low- and high-fat diets led to inflammation in the hypothalamic region of the brain. This region plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, including weight and blood sugar control.

• Similarities Between Mice and Humans: Mice and humans share many physiological similarities, making these findings relevant to human health.

Understanding Brain Immune Cells

Two types of immune cells in the brain, astrocytes and microglia, are similar to macrophages in the blood and play a role in inflammation. The researchers hypothesized that gluten-induced inflammation in the hypothalamus could contribute to various health issues, including weight gain and impaired blood glucose regulation.

The Experiment: Mice and Diets

The study involved male mice divided into four diet groups:

• Low-fat diet
• Low-fat diet with gluten
• High-fat diet
• High-fat diet with gluten

The mice received these diets for over 14 weeks, allowing researchers to observe the effects of gluten on different diet types.

Surprising Results

Here's what they found:

• Adding gluten to a low-fat diet had no effect on body mass.
• Mice on a high-fat diet with added gluten gained more body mass and fat compared to those on a high-fat diet without gluten.
• C-reactive protein levels, a marker of inflammation, increased when gluten was added to the low-fat diet.
• Regardless of the diet type, gluten led to a significant increase in astrocytes and microglia in the hypothalamus, indicating hypothalamic injury in rodents.

The Science Behind Gluten-Induced Inflammation

To understand how gluten triggers inflammation, experts point to its impact on the gut microbiome. Eating gluten may cause the body to produce more zonulin, which may lead to a "leaky gut" and the release of large molecules into the bloodstream that cause systemic inflammation.

Furthermore, bacterial toxins known as lipopolysaccharides and gut microbiota have the potential to enter the bloodstream and trigger an inflammatory reaction.

More Research Needed

Although this study illuminates some possible effects of gluten, it is not without limitations. Since only male mice were used in the study, future research should use female models to paint a more complete picture.

Moreover, the high-fat diet used in the study contained saturated fats from lard. Using a high-fat diet with anti-inflammatory polyunsaturated fats might yield different results.

The study used a gluten dose equivalent to an average human daily intake, and further research is needed to establish a dose-response relationship.

Must You Give Up Gluten?

The researchers stress that their research does not support the idea that people should cut gluten out of their diets. Going gluten-free may have disadvantages for people who are not sensitive to gluten because many processed gluten-free goods are high in sugar and low in fibre.

However, the study's authors also recognize the need for more research to determine if these findings in mice translate to humans and whether gluten-induced brain inflammation occurs in gluten-sensitive individuals.

In conclusion, while this research reveals a potential connection between wheat gluten and brain inflammation, it is not a call for everyone to abandon gluten entirely. Instead, it highlights the importance of ongoing research to better understand the effects of gluten on human health. So, next time you enjoy that slice of bread or pasta, you can do so with a bit more knowledge about the complexities of what you're consuming.

 

Gluten intolerance test in Marbella

Helicopteros Sanitarios offers a range of medical facilities and practitioners who can help you explore your gluten sensitivity. To get started, consider scheduling an appointment with our gastroenterologist or allergist. They can conduct tests and assessments to determine if you have gluten intolerance or related conditions, such as celiac disease or wheat allergy. 

Book an appointment for a gluten intolerance test in Marbella here.