Scientists: wheat triggers inflammation (even if you’re not coeliac)

Bread background. Brown and white whole grain loaves wrapped in kraft paper composition on rustic dark wood with wheat ears scattered around. Baking and home bread making concept. Soft toning

Columbia University Medical Center researchers recently found that gluten/wheat issues in non-coeliacs can be due to a weak intestinal barrier (leaky gut some may call it). A second study has now confirmed their findings that wheat is inflammatory, and that it triggers or worsens chronic health conditions like multiple sclerosis, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis, even if you’re not coeliac. The troublesome wheat protein identified in the study also contributes to the development of non-coeliac gluten sensitivity.

You can read my post about the first study here.

Consuming the amylase-trypsin inhibitors in wheat (ATIs), which make up less than five percent of the total protein, can lead to inflammation not just in the gut but also the lymph nodes, kidneys, and brain. The researchers say that ATI driven inflammation differs to celiac, and is not related to gluten. ATIs rather activate immune cells in the gut and other tissues, which worsens pre-existing inflammation.

Histamine intolerance and mast cell activation are both inflammatory conditions and I have consistently found that eating wheat (and many other grain products) aggravated my histamine levels and caused massive inflammation. That’s why I cut them out fairly early on in the game even when every single histamine researcher and mast cell doctor I spoke with insisted it was fine as a part of our diet. The study authors went on to say they hope to be able to recommend an ATI-free diet to help treat immune disorders.

CLICK HERE IF YOU’D LIKE TO LEARN HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN HISTAMINE BALANCED DIET AND HEALING PLAN.

ATIs are now believed to encourage the development of non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. Sufferers experience severe intestinal distress which is relieved by not eating wheat and gluten containing products. The study authors however believe that a more appropriate term than gluten intolerance is needed since it’s not the only inflammation causing component in wheat. If you’re reacting to grains other than wheat/gluten containing ones, it might be worth remembering that the body can sometimes misidentify them as related to wheat. It may also be that you have an issue with oxalic acid found in plants and grains. You can read about that here.

You’ll find recipes full of foods with antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties my books Anti-Recipes and The Anti-Cookbook

CLICK HERE TO CREATE YOUR OWN PERSONALISED HEALING HISTAMINE PLAN.

——-REFERENCES——-

Zevallos V, Weinmann-Menke J, Meineck M et al. Alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) accelerate murine systemic lupus erythematosus. Poster presentation at the 16th International Coeliac Disease Symposium, 21–24 June 2015, Prague, Czech Republic. Poster P168.

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Yasmina was an award-winning broadcast journalist with a decade of experience covering war zones for CNN and the BBC. She devoted her journalism skills to researching and writing about histamine. Click here to learn about her. Each post is carefully and fully referenced with the latest scientific research. Not sure where to start? Here’s a four week meal plan and overall Histamine Reset.