Dr. Peter Osborne explains the Genetics of Gluten Sensitivity

Category: Celiac and Food Allergy News

Written by Cilie Yack

Dr. Peter Osborne explains the importance of understanding Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity

Parents of Kids with Gluten Intolerance will learn the possible pitfalls of eating gluten when you have a gluten positive gene.

Dr. Peter Osborne, Diplomate with the American Clinical Board of Nutrition, posted a wonderful video by Glutenology from the Charlotte Gluten Free Expo April 30, 2011

The seminar explains in detail why a negative test for celiac doesn't mean a patient with stomach or intestinal problems isn't sensitive to gluten.

If you've ever been confused about the various genes related to gluten sensitivity, and about what it means to test negative to celiac but still have antibodies, this video is for you.

If it seems a bit technical, watch it more than once. There are many people who get a blood test for celiac that is negative but they still have symptoms when they eat food with gluten in it.

This video explains why that happens.

In This Video About Gluten Sensitivity

Dr. Osborne explains why patients with symptoms or positive serology and normal biopsies should really look at the genetics of gluten sensitivity carefully, rather than relying on a negative celiac test result as a reason to eat foods with gluten in it like bread, pasta, and cereal.

Genetic testing will show you what your body will do when exposed to gluten over time. DNA testing is a key piece of the puzzle for irritable bowel patients. Most people don't realize that once a person has developed a full blown autoimmune disease caused by a gluten sensitive gene, it will take 2-3 years to put the disease into remission.

He explains in his lecture that genetic testing for the broad spectrum of gluten sensitivity is the only way to tell patients if they will have a full blown autoimmune disease in the future when they've spent a lifetime eating gluten. For InfantsDr. Osborne suggests that early testing on healthy infants would result in a positive impact on eating habits for a lifetime and avoid future health complications.

Most tests only look for the two genes that are associated with celiac. There are several additional genes that can affect the gut but are not associated with celiac, and Dr. Osborne explains this in detail. Dr. Osborne says, "Blood tests are not specific and most commonly are negative. Biopsy is only specific for celiac disease and it's not an accurate representation of our intestines. Stool tests are accurate but they are limited to gliadin. So they are only really looking at one of the glutens  and they are not looking at all of the glutens. It is a limited test." This is why he stresses that DNA testing is the best way to determine whether or not your family should consider going gluten free. For more information, visit Osborne'sGluten Free Society