NCGS: An Undertreated and Underrecognized Problem

By Lydia Wallie, Nutrition Director

Gluten sensitivity (sometimes known as NCGS which is Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) is far more common and detrimental than many realize. It’s connected with a large array of symptoms and disorders including but definitely not limited to the following:

Ataxia (1)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (2)
Autism spectrum disorders (3, 4)
Depression (4, 5)
Dermatitis and other skin conditions (6)
Endometriosis (7)
Fibromyalgia (8)
Insulin resistance and inflammation (9)
Irritable bowel syndrome (10)
Ménière disease (11)
Multiple sclerosis (12)
Peripheral neuropathy, myopathy, and other neurological disorders (13)
Schizophrenia (2, 4)
Type 1 diabetes (14)

Case Study:

"A 14-year-old girl came to our outpatient clinic for psychotic symptoms that were apparently associated with gluten consumption...

Due to gastro-intestinal symptoms and further weight loss (about 15% of her weight in the last year), a nutritionist was consulted, and a gluten-free diet (GFD) was recommended for symptomatic treatment of the intestinal complaints; unexpectedly, within a week of gluten-free diet, the symptoms (both gastro-intestinal and psychiatric) dramatically improved, and the GFD was continued for four months. Despite her efforts, she occasionally experienced inadvertent gluten exposures, which triggered the recurrence of her psychotic symptoms within about four hours." (4)

Since, “gluten sensitivity remains undertreated and underrecognized as a contributing factor to psychiatric and neurologic manifestations…” (2) and the brain is one of our greatest assets, it’s important to consider replacing gluten with healthier food options that don’t have a myriad of research references pointing to maladies they may be connected to.

Do you need help upgrading your nutrition and supporting your brain health? Let us know!

Sources:

doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2010.01356.x