Abstract P219: The Vast Majority of People Who Eat “Gluten Free” for IBS, Celiac, or Autoimmune Disease Have Markers of Leaky Gut That Resolve When “Gluten Free” Foods Containing Lectins, Like Corn, Other Grains, Beans, and Nightshades are Removed From Their Diet

Abstract

Initial evaluation of pts referred with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Celiac, and/or autoimmune diseases includes Celiac HLA genetics, Celiac IgA and IgG markers, and autoimmune markers. Most patients are self described as eating a gluten free diet. Increasingly, and with more affordable tests being made available, we have started to use a battery of tests for leaky gut, wheat, corn, lectin, dairy, and egg proteins reactivity/sensitivity from Vibrant Wellness (San Carlos, Ca) called Zoomers. Leaky gut was determined by Anti-Zonulin IgG and IgA, Anti-Actin IgG and IgA; Wheat sensitivity panels included Transglutaminase, Wheat Germ Agglutinin, Gliadin, Glutenin, and Non-gluten wheat protein IgG and IgA panels. All corn proteins, including the wheat-corn epitope overlap and the GMO Cry proteins IgG and IgA, as well as IgG and IgA reactions to major lectins and aquaporins in beans, squash, spinach, nightshades, corn, and to protein components of dairy and eggs. We now report results on the first 50 patients, ages 7-76, M:F ratio 1:1, who, following these initial tests, started the lectin limited diet, The Plant Paradox. Results: 100% of pts were positive for leaky gut (50/50). Forty nine of 50 (98%) were reactive to more than one component of wheat, although only 35/50 (70%) where positive for HLA gluten genes. Seventy percent of pts (35/50) were sensitive to the corn-wheat cross reaction epitope, while 31/50 (62%) reacted to the GMO cry corn protein. Forty nine of 50 (98%) reacted to one or more bean lectins, while 38/50 (76%) reacted to one or more aquaporins in soy, spinach, corn, potatoes, bell peppers. While sensitivities to dairy and egg proteins did occur, they were rare compared to the above proteins. Retesting has been done in 11 of 50 pts, 2 to 9 months following the first test. Resolution of leaky gut occurred in 10/11 (91%), and reactivity to all wheat proteins as measured by IgG and IgA disappeared, indicating tolerance. We conclude that most patients following a gluten free diet still have leaky gut with both gluten and wheat antibodies, all of which resolve when a lectin free diet is followed.