How Does Going Gluten-Free Impact Mental Health?

For many individuals, eliminating gluten accomplishes much more than the healing of intestinal tissue. And, “going gluten-free” is turning out to be much more than the latest dieting fad that everyone is taking up.

According to an October article in Pysch Central, gluten might be one of the culprits that affects a person’s mood and mental health in an adverse manner, especially if he or she is sensitive toward the protein and have to take up the diet for their health.

Connection between digestive health and mood

Even though only one percent of the U.S. population actually has celiac disease, there could be hundreds, if not thousands more with an intolerance to gluten. These individuals avoid gluten because of bad bouts with digestive issues, anxiety, fatigue, and even symptoms of depression.

Considering how much of an impact nutrition has on mood and mental wellness, understanding the connection between the gut and brain can give a whole new insight into the importance of treating food allergies and those with autoimmune diseases like celiac disease.

How gluten affects the brain

When all is not well in the environment of the digestive system, the residual effect can make its way to the brain. Gluten serves as a good example of a negative catalyst that triggers this chain reaction.

First of all, if a person has celiac disease, then he or she is already dealing with a condition called intestinal dysbiosis, which is a state of imbalance of intestinal bacteria. In fact, intestinal bacteria has a profound effect on a person’s mood, which is why the digestive system is sometimes referred to as the “second brain.”

Another negative reaction to gluten involves the breakdown of the intestinal lining as a result of the body’s reaction to gluten entering the bloodstream. When the immune system detects the presence of gluten, it responds as if the body has just been invaded by foreign matter, like a virus or bacteria. This “alarm system” sounds off in the brain, which then triggers both feelings of anxiety and distress.

Likewise, the physical effect of inflammation also directly impacts a patient's mood. When gluten causes the body to react to the inflammation associated with the intestinal damage, then vitamins and minerals can’t be absorbed properly. The body thinks that it doesn’t possess enough B vitamins, zinc, or vitamin D. These nutrients are crucial for the overall well-being and, of course, brain functioning. Furthermore, if the intestines remain in this unhealthy state, then the body is not producing enough serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical that carries messages between the nerves and is mostly found in the bowels, brain, and blood platelets—hence, the connections between the inner workings of the mind and the well-being of the gut. Gluten actually impedes on the production of serotonin, which can lead to a poor mental and emotional state of being.