While diabetes is the number one cause of peripheral neuropathy, there is growing evidence that autoimmune conditions like celiac disease are also linked to patients who have peripheral neuropathy. Up to 22% of patients diagnosed with celiac disease also have neurological problems such as peripheral neuropathy or gluten ataxia. The tingling in hands and feet associated with peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common non-digestive symptoms of celiac disease and gluten insensitivity.
A study done on 215 patients with axonal neuropathy (a type of peripheral neuropathy) found that 140 of the patients had idiopathic neuropathy, or no apparent medical reason for the peripheral neuropathy. Those 140 participants were then blood tested to determine if their bodies were generating antibodies against gluten proteins. 34% of them had high gluten antibodies compared with the 12% rate of high antibodies to gluten found in the overall population. The tests indicated that the 47% of the participants had some form of gluten sensitivity. Doctors performed endoscopies and biopsies on the study participants who were suspected to have celiac disease and they found that 9% of the group thought to have idiopathic neuropathy actually had celiac disease.
Celiac disease, gluten insensitivity and resulting neurological conditions are becoming more prevalent, or at least are being diagnosed more frequently. The symptoms of gluten neuropathy include tingling, numbness, pins and needles, tightness and burning pain. Neurological symptoms such as peripheral neuropathy, migraine, and brain fog are even more common in non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
If you have peripheral neuropathy and are diagnosed with celiac or gluten insensitivity, there is research that suggests that switching to a gluten-free diet can help improve or alleviate your peripheral neuropathy symptoms. To follow a strict gluten-free diet, you’ll need to avoid grains containing gluten such as wheat, barley and rye. Your diet should focus on foods like meat, beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables. People who suffer from both celiac and peripheral neuropathy can also benefit from certain lifestyle changes such as avoiding long periods of standing, wearing loose fitting shoes and soaking feet in ice water. There are also prescription drugs that can help reduce symptoms if the gluten free diet doesn’t help, so people with peripheral neuropathy symptoms should also seek advice from their physician.
Gluten ataxia, while extremely rare, is another autoimmune condition found in people that have celiac disease or gluten insensitivity. When people with gluten ataxia ingest gluten, their body produces antibodies as a response to the gluten which mistakenly attack the cerebellum (the part of the brain that controls balance, motor control and muscle tone). This leads to coordination and balance issues, slurred speech and difficulty with fine motor skills. People with gluten ataxia are typically unsteady on their feet and have trouble moving their legs. As symptoms progress, it might appear like the person is drunk. Their eyes can begin rapidly moving back and forth involuntarily. It becomes difficult for them to zip zippers, fasten buttons or write with pens or pencils. Blood tests done in conjunction with a strict gluten-free diet can help to confirm a gluten ataxia diagnosis. Physical and occupational therapy can also help with symptoms.
“The food you eat can either be the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” ~Unknown
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6412791/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ataxia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355652
- https://www.beyondceliac.org/celiac-disease/related-conditions/gluten-ataxia/#:~:text=Gut%2DBrain%20Connection%3A%20What%20is,as%20non%2Dceliac%20gluten%20sensitivity.
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-gluten-ataxia-562400
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/gluten-and-neuropathy-562315