The Gluten, Leaky Gut & Thyroid Connection
As we dive deeper into understanding the nature of autoimmune conditions, varying contributing factors of thyroid disorders continue to arise in my clinic. It has become evident to me that the relationship between gluten, leaky gut and thyroid conditions is one that needs to be explored in greater depth. Studies estimate that as many as 1 in 10 people are now living with some kind of gluten sensitivity, and while many of those people take steps to manage this sensitivity, there are just as many that do not. What a lot of people impacted by gluten don’t understand is how these conditions (allergy, intolerance or sensitivity), and even the slightest exposure to gluten in the diet, can impact other functions in the body.
One of the places we are able to observe this frequently is within the thyroid. 80% of thyroid conditions are autoimmune in nature - meaning there is a derangement of the immune system. An increasing body of evidence is starting to accumulate that shows that exposure to gluten can exacerbate this derangement. This ‘unhealthy’ relationship stems from an accidental, misguided response that can have a long-lasting impact on our bodies. Yet symptoms are often disregarded or misidentified. Considering the link between thyroid conditions, gluten sensitivity and their connection to the development of leaky gut, it’s important to understand how each works and why they are so intertwined.
Gluten Allergy & Celiac
Gluten-free lifestyles are becoming more common, partly due to restrictive fad diets, but also because as many as 10% of the population are living with a gluten allergy known as Celiac disease. Fortunately, we’re picking up on them more with increased awareness and testing. Gluten is a group of proteins found in wheat, oats, barley and rye, that some have difficulty digesting because of a serious autoimmune response. Physically, the digestive tract does not have the mechanisms to break down the proteins; three specific gluten peptides. In some instances, such as in celiac disease, these proteins can trigger a misguided immune response and attack the villi of our small intestine, which leads to greater digestive concerns as it becomes more difficult for the body to absorb nutrients. This is where one might experience severe abdominal pain and cramping, lethargy, diarrhoea, headaches and more. Over time, with continual exposure, this autoimmune onslaught causes severe damage to the intestinal wall and increased intestinal permeability as a result, which is known as leaky gut. An increased prevalence of celiac disease has been found in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, autoimmune liver disease and inflammatory bowel diseases.
Gluten & Leaky Gut
When you have gluten, be it a slice of chunky sourdough or a drizzle of soy sauce, the gluten proteins are broken down and travel to your small intestine. Here, it triggers the release of zonulin, a protein that tells your intestinal walls to become porous, which is needed for nutrient absorption. However prolonged, continual exposure can cause the intestinal walls to stay porous for longer - leading to intestinal permeability or leaky gut. This reaction is something that can occur in all individuals too, not just celiacs, so it’s important to remain aware and take note of any unusual symptoms.
When this condition develops, you can become at greater risk for autoimmune disease, such as a thyroid disorder. This is due to the food particles, alongside toxins and microbes, flooding through the intestinal wall and into your bloodstream. Alongside having a widespread impact, they can trigger the immune system to produce antibodies - a normal defence mechanism. However, in the process, it can also start to produce antibodies to various areas of the body such as the thyroid gland, joints and muscles, and connective tissue. While the exact mechanism by which autoimmunity develops is uncertain, it is known that leaky gut has been found to occur in almost all autoimmune conditions that have been researched. This is because in order to rid the body of the cells it deems to be invaders, the immune system sends wave after wave of attacks, destroying your own healthy cells and the body’s own tissues in the process, leading to autoimmune disease.
Gluten & The Thyroid
To add to the trifecta, increasing research has shown a strong link between gluten sensitivities and autoimmune thyroid disease. Gluten’s misguided autoimmune response is a case of mistaken identity, known as molecular mimicry. Every time your body is exposed to a dangerous invader, such as gluten, your immune system memorises the structure so that it can recognise it in the future and develop an adequate defence to it. The most pressing issue is that the molecular structure of gluten proteins is similar to different tissues throughout the body, including the thyroid gland. When attempting to digest gluten, the antibodies recognise the thyroid tissue as the invader and the body begins to launch an attack on itself. This attack on the gland can impair function, and with repeated exposure may either stimulate overproduction of thyroid hormones, such as in Graves disease, or begin to destroy the tissue, leading to an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism.
It’s worth noting that wheat crops are one of the most heavily sprayed crops. Particularly when it comes to the pesticide glyphosate. Glyphosate has been shown to disrupt the digestive microbiome in animal studies, preferentially killing beneficial forms and causing an overgrowth of pathogens. Glyphosate is also considered an endocrine disrupting chemical which can influence thyroid hormone production and potentially influence the immune system.
For any client experiencing thyroid issues, one of the first steps we take is removing gluten from the diet. By eliminating this potentially triggering food, we can begin to work together to establish good digestive health and any potential attack. Likewise for any clients experiencing severe gluten sensitivity, and it’s absolutely necessary for those with celiac, as we know how intertwined the conditions are.
If you’re experiencing difficulties with gluten, or have been dealing with symptoms of a thyroid problem, book a free 15-minute phone consult to talk about how I can help you along your journey.
Melissa Briggs is an experienced Brisbane based Naturopath with a particular interest in women’s health and thyroid disorders. Need help with your health? Get in touch here.