Gluten and casein have both been implicated in many disorders, both mental and physical. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley and some other closely related grains, while casein is found in milk and dairy products.
Gluten accounts for about 80% of the protein in certain grains, and casein makes about 80% of the protein in milk. Gluten is actually a combination of two proteins, gliadin and glutenin.
In the course of digestion, glutenin breaks down into gluten exorphins, gliadin into gliadorphin, also called gluteomorphin, and casein into casomorphin aka caseomorphin. In the normal course of events, these would break down further into amino acids. It's hypothesized that in certain individuals this final step in the digestive process does not occur, or is incomplete.
Gliadorphin, gluten exorphins and casomorphin are all opioid peptides - "which mimic the effect of opiates in the brain[1]". The brain contains opioid receptors, currently three are recognised, called delta (OP1), kappa (OP2) and mu (OP3). OP1 and OP3 are thought to be the basis for physical dependence. All of them have analgesic effects when activated, OP1 has antidepressant effects, OP2 is sedative and OP3 can cause euphoria[2].
There is a great deal of anecdotal evidence that excluding gluten and casein from the diet produces symptoms very similar to withdrawal from drugs, which makes sense in light of the chemistry involved if the hypothesis [that gluten and casein are not correctly digested, resulting in opioid peptides being released into the bloodstream] is correct.
Since these peptides are produced in the intestine, there is a question as to how they get into the bloodstream, rather than being excreted. Some have proposed a controversial diagnosis, Leaky Gut Syndrome, but there is little support for this in the conventional medical sector. However, this should not be taken to mean that it does not exist, as many ideas which were strongly disputed by conventional medicine a few years ago have now become mainstream.
Who needs a gluten free, dairy free diet?
Drugs used to treat autism
Gluten and dairy free recipe book
Gluten accounts for about 80% of the protein in certain grains, and casein makes about 80% of the protein in milk. Gluten is actually a combination of two proteins, gliadin and glutenin.
In the course of digestion, glutenin breaks down into gluten exorphins, gliadin into gliadorphin, also called gluteomorphin, and casein into casomorphin aka caseomorphin. In the normal course of events, these would break down further into amino acids. It's hypothesized that in certain individuals this final step in the digestive process does not occur, or is incomplete.
Gliadorphin, gluten exorphins and casomorphin are all opioid peptides - "which mimic the effect of opiates in the brain[1]". The brain contains opioid receptors, currently three are recognised, called delta (OP1), kappa (OP2) and mu (OP3). OP1 and OP3 are thought to be the basis for physical dependence. All of them have analgesic effects when activated, OP1 has antidepressant effects, OP2 is sedative and OP3 can cause euphoria[2].
There is a great deal of anecdotal evidence that excluding gluten and casein from the diet produces symptoms very similar to withdrawal from drugs, which makes sense in light of the chemistry involved if the hypothesis [that gluten and casein are not correctly digested, resulting in opioid peptides being released into the bloodstream] is correct.
Since these peptides are produced in the intestine, there is a question as to how they get into the bloodstream, rather than being excreted. Some have proposed a controversial diagnosis, Leaky Gut Syndrome, but there is little support for this in the conventional medical sector. However, this should not be taken to mean that it does not exist, as many ideas which were strongly disputed by conventional medicine a few years ago have now become mainstream.
Further Reading
Research shows autistic symptoms improve on a gluten and casein free dietWho needs a gluten free, dairy free diet?
Drugs used to treat autism
Gluten and dairy free recipe book
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