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new to the gluten free journey?
Quick Summary:
COVID-19 (Covid), a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus first emerged in the United States in early 2020, and quickly became a threat to public health due to its ability to spread quickly and cause severe inflammation in the upper respiratory tract.
Covid typically causes respiratory symptoms that can mimic symptoms of a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. Covid most often attacks the lungs and respiratory system, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most people with Covid have mild symptoms, but some can become severely ill.
Some people including those with minor or no symptoms can develop a wide range of post-Covid conditions. This collection of symptoms also called “Long Covid” may include the following (among other puzzling symptoms):
Before we get into the discussion, here is a refresher on gluten and celiac disease to provide some context to our conversation. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system perceives gluten as an invader. This causes your body to launch an immune response that causes inflammation and damage to the villi in your small intestines causing malabsorption, malnutrition, and other health related issues.
Those who have celiac disease and non celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) need to avoid gluten. Gluten is often defined as a type of protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and other grains. However, we know that gluten protein can be found in ALL grains. Common foods containing gluten include pasta, bread, baked goods, and beer.
While celiac disease and gluten sensitivity can increase susceptibility to certain illnesses, recent research suggests that a gluten free diet may actually have a protective effect against Covid.
One observational study evaluated causality between celiac disease and Covid susceptibility as well as severe Covid. It found that those with celiac disease who were following a gluten free diet were less susceptible to Covid and severe Covid infections.
A suggested mechanism by which a gluten free might be protective against Covid relates to the ability of a gluten free diet to influence intestinal permeability (gut leakiness). This part gets a bit technical, so stay with me.
A low-gluten diet can reduce the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1beta, which increases the tight junction permeability in intestinal cells (decreasing leaky gut). In addition, a gluten free diet has been shown to normalize intestinal permeability in celiac disease patients by influencing the chemokine receptor CXCR3. Gluten can bind to this receptor inducing a breakdown of tight junctions which also leads to an increase in leaky gut. So to put it simply – Gluten causes microscopic holes in the lining of your GI tract. Subsequently, toxins from the GI tract can leak into the bloodstream and increase the risk for systemic inflammation and disease.
This may also be relevant for lung tissue as well. Researchers have identified that covid can contribute to increased lung permeability. The same can be said of gluten, as researchers have linked gluten exposure to increased lung permeability (Leaky Lung). Studies have shown that a gluten free diet was able to alleviate hemosiderosis (fibrotic inflammation and bleeding in the lungs) in celiac disease patients. Research has also connected gluten to COPD.
In addition, a gluten free diet may reduce overall inflammation which can support overall immune health, reducing the susceptibility to Covid infection.
A gluten free diet is also protective from malnutrition of key vitamin and mineral deficiencies that are known to worsen overall immune health outcomes. Vitamin C, vitamin D, Zinc, Quercetin, vitamin B1, Selenium, and N-Acetyl Cysteine are all supportive of immune health. As a matter of fact, this combination of nutrients is being used in hospital protocols for the treatment of Covid.
Many people with Long Covid have developed or uncovered new food allergies and sensitivities. It is believed that this is triggered by mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) brought on by Covid. Wheat and gluten are some of the most common sensitivities that arise, and these sensitivities can have significant downstream inflammatory effects that may hinder recovery in patients suffering with long Covid.
Interestingly, there may be a Covid-gluten connection that works in the opposite way as well. Research suggests that genetically predisposed patients may be more likely to develop celiac disease following a Covid infection.
This is because Covid promotes a “cytokine storm” in the intestinal mucosa. The damage to the epithelial cells of the intestines that results can lead to increased intestinal barrier permeability (leaky gut). In turn, this can allow the passage of gluten proteins into the intestines, triggering an immune response.
The connection between Covid and celiac disease and gluten consumption is still being studied, but the research that exists is quite compelling. This connection could have long term public health effects, by protecting certain populations and increasing the incidence of celiac disease in future populations.
If you are not sure whether a gluten free diet would be right for you, consider taking our quiz.
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Peter Osborne, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Peter Osborne and his community. Peter Osborne encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
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