by Shelly Mcrae

Created on: December 25, 2008   Last Updated: October 05, 2009

When the body is deprived of nutrients the infrastructure suffers. Loss of bone and muscle mass, slowed circulation and digestive problems, small stature and slowed cognitive development all relate to lack of nutrition.

Celiac disease robs the body of nutrients. When the body isn't functioning properly, the brain suffers as well. When the brain suffers, so does mental health.

In untreated children with celiac disease, gluten robs their developing brains of necessary nutrients for proper development. Gluten affects their serotonin levels, which affects their mood. Gluten affects their hormone levels, which affects their behavior. Children with undiagnosed celiac disease are likely to suffer from depression and manic behavior and be labeled with behavioral issues at school.

In most cases, a gluten free diet will correct these issues and the depression and behavioral issues are reduced if not eliminated.

For both children and adults with celiac disease, mental health in terms of attitude and social comfort levels improves, primarily because they feel better.

Gluten has a pronounced opiate effect on those with celiac disease, just as it does on those with autism. The common link is the Leaky Gut syndrome. Whether from celiac disease or autism, a leaky gut means essential nutrition is escaping into the bloodstream and then being processed as waste. The opiate element in gluten has a free run of the body and brain.

This slows the cognitive processes; in children it directly affects the development of comprehensive reasoning. Sufferers then feel lost, out of step, and bewildered by the world around them. Combine these feeling of inadequacy with hormonal imbalances and mental health issues are the result.

Again, a gluten free diet is the treatment. The caveat is that these issues also have other causes. If these issues are not resolved by a gluten free diet, then other causes must be considered.

Once a diagnosis is made, and the celiac adheres to a strict gluten free diet, other mental health issues may emerge. These issues relate to food and the perception of food's place in society, and society's perception of those with food sensitivities.

Special diets can set people apart. Dining out, going to parties, or accepting food as gifts can all become problematic for the celiac. Isolation during events centered on food can lead to feelings of depression or social anxiety.

For those with celiac disease, mental health issues before diagnosis are often attributed to other causes. After diagnosis, and adherence to a gluten free diet, the mental health issues frequently abate. This positive reaction identifies the cause of these issues as nutritional malnourishment due to celiac disease.

Mental health issues that arise due to societal perceptions of those with food sensitivities and/or participation in social events involving food can be addressed through talk therapy and the education of those close to the celiac about the disease itself.

Learn more about this author, Shelly Mcrae.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.