what is the rationale behind a gluten-free diet?

[Richard Long]

a friend of mine who has MS has been on the gluten-free diet for quite some time, & she swears by it -- she says that she can still walk, because of the gluten-free diet.

She is much younger than me and I can't understand her logic when she tries to explain to me why she thinks it works and why so many others agree with her
so I am very puzzled and would like the rationale behind it explained to me and all the other people here. If somebody can do it

[chelsea]

Ive heard that gluten is good and that it has a lot to do with our health. I tried make it an alternative for meat but it seems that my companions at home don't like to eat it. They said it dont taste good. My kid don't like it that much. Is there any way I can make it taste better or any alternatives? Is gluten really that healthy? please advice.thanks!

[jcc]

a friend of mine who has MS has been on the gluten-free diet for quite some time, & she swears by it -- she says that she can still walk, because of the gluten-free diet.

She is much younger than me and I can't understand her logic when she tries to explain to me why she thinks it works and why so many others agree with her
so I am very puzzled and would like the rationale behind it explained to me and all the other people here. If somebody can do it


There are some webcasts from the Direct-MS site which thoroughly explain it. You can find the links here~
Multiple Sclerosis (http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/multiplesclerosis)

Celiac disease is the only autoimmune disease where they know, without a doubt, the trigger... and it is gluten, and the only treatment is a strict gluten free diet... which usually results in resolution of the disease. Celiac disease is a systemic disease, and while most people think of it as a gut disease, it can cause neurological symptoms ranging from ataxia, neuropathy, seizures, neuromuscular disease, skin disease, bone disease, and more.

Dietary management of MS is based on the same idea... although it has not been conclusively proven, many anecdotal reports of success are around. The dietary recommendations for MS extend the offending dietary proteins to include casein, legumes, yeast, eggs, etc. As many as 50% of those with celiac disease also have a problem with casien sensitivity, so that all makes perfect sense to me.

Dietary management of MS also assumes a leaky gut. You may want to read about zonulin. People with celiac disease, MS, diabetes, all have high levels of zonulin. Zonulin controls the intestinal tight junction spaces and the blood brain barrier. Research has shown that eating gluten, in anyone, increases zonulin levels to some degree.

This is a big subject, but the MS-Direct webcasts will really walk you through it.... slowly... with plenty of time to digest what they are saying.

Try these two first~ and you will be up to speed!

Potential Therapeutic Characteristics of Pre-agricultural Diets in the Prevention and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (http://wildhorse.insinc.com/directms03oct2007/). This presentation is narrated by Dr Loren Cordain of the Colorado State University. Dr Cordain is a world renowned expert on health and the original human diet and is the author of the “Paleo Diet” and “The Paleo Diet for Athletes”. He explains how returning to a diet based on lean meats, seafood, fruits and vegetables can prevent and help treat MS and other diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Crohn’s Disease.

Nutritional Strategies for Controlling Multiple Sclerosis, (http://www.direct-ms.org/presentation-nutrition/index.html) This presentation addresses diet and MS. It presents the probable causes of MS and how to effectively control those elements. A review of the protective factors and how to incorporate them into your lifestyle are also covered. (Discussion of Food Proteins begins at slide 27)