Gluten intolerance is a celiac disease which touched 700,000 French in 2021. manifesting itself through many symptoms, the most frequent disorder is digestive. Frequently, patients with Irritable intestine syndrome are also subject to gluten intolerance. However, according to a Canadian study, this intolerance would be more attributable to a cognitive mechanism than a real physical problem.
Since 2018, the review The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology studied the effect of gluten on patients with irritable colon syndrome (SCI). To do this, they “compared the symptomatic responses to wheat and gluten with a gluten -free provocation test in patients with SCI who previously perceived the benefits of a gluten -free diet”.
Over three seven days, separated by 14 -day withdrawal periods, The participants ate cereal bars. Six sequences of wheat, gluten and placebo composed them.
According to the journal, “patients with irritable colon syndrome and perceiving themselves as sensitive to gluten have reacted in a similar way to gluten provocation, wheat and simulated tests”. It therefore suggests that People ‘expectations play a major role in the appearance of symptoms. Only a few patients benefited concretely from a gluten restriction.
The Nocebo effect
This Canadian study allows you to see the direct link between the digestive system and the cognitive mechanism. Indeed, The two elements are very closely linked. According to the Digestive Canadian Health Foundation, “the intestine and the brain communicate between them in a constant, dynamic and bidirectional way through a sophisticated signaling system.” This communication between the intestine and the brain is called “Intestin-end axis”
The belly contains as many neurons as the brain of a pet, Or 200 million. This explains the incredible complexity of this part of the body. The digestive tract is ten meters long. During a lifetime, it absorbs 32 tonnes of nutrients, the equivalent of a little Airbus.
The study carried out makes it possible to highlight A strong Nocebo effect. According to Inserm, this term designates “a psychological or physiological effect associated with an inert substance which has no documented pharmacological effect which generates deleterious effects for the individual”. Unlike the placebo effect that can relieve, the wedding will cause inconvenience.
As a reminder, this study only concerned patients with irritable colon syndrome. Many people have strong gluten allergic reactions. If you think you are concerned, do not hesitate to go for a blood test to get A medical diagnosis.
