How is Covid linked to Celiac Disease?
Did you have Covid-19 with no symptoms or hospitalization and recovered only to discover you have an autoimmune disease now due to the virus? Researchers are predicting a surge in Celiac Disease related to those who have had Covid-19 virus. Some may be predisposed to develop an intolerance for grain proteins (gluten) due to genetics.
What is a cytokine and a cytokine storm?
The virus not only pushes a cytokine storm in the brain but also the intestinal mucosa. You may have heard the term cytokine storm used often in the media and wondered what it was, so let me give you an easy explanation. Cytokines are the inflammatory glycoprotein alerting “guards” that signal your immune cells to recruit help to a site of injury or illness.
Cytokines do different functions. One of the main functions of Interferons is to regulate your innate or natural immune system. Interleukins regulate the pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory responses. Chemokines direct immune cells and work within our innate and adaptive immunity. When a cytokine storm is happening it reflects the escalation of disease toward extreme tissue damage, organ failure, and even death.[1]
What caused Celiac Disease to have a link to Covid?
This is going to get a little nerdy so hold on and follow me here.
When the storm happens in the gut, the epithelial cells (cells found on the skin, in blood vessels, urinary tract, and organs) are damaged leaving open gaps for Gliadin which is one to three prolamins found in wheat, to move through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream.
Blood testing for Celiac Disease looks for Gliadin antibodies (AGA) to the Gliadin proteins also found in barley, rye, oats, and of course wheat.
They are the typical immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) are elevated even if one is just sensitive to gluten. A definitive test is a small intestine biopsy taken to look for inflammation-induced by Gliadin proteins. It will show your villi which look like microscopic fingers in which nutrients are absorbed are flattened or cut off instead of looking like a fluffy shag rug.
Which enzymes show Covid linked to Celiac Disease?
We have enzymes attached to our cellular membranes called Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) which lowers blood pressure. You’ve probably heard a lot about the ACE2 inhibitor if you follow Covid information.
There are enzymes are high in the intestines, testis, gallbladder, kidney, and heart. This particular enzyme as well as a protein are found on the surface of cells in our respiratory tract. They are also in the digestive tract. They are Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and they are targeted by the Covid.
This latter enzyme TMPRSS2 is also linked to prostate cancer development and growth. With Celiac Disease both of the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 enzymes are high.
The SARS-CoV-2 uses a spike protein to invade host cells through the ACE2. This speeds up a viral invasion causing massive cellular inflammation. ACE2 is expressed in many tissues, particularly the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. It sets the lungs up for interstitial pneumonia common in COVID-19 patients. The enzyme is also key for transporting amino acids that when unavailable cause diarrhea as seen at the beginning of the outbreak.[2]
How can you protect against the spike proteins and viral transmission?
SARS-CoV-2 can not as effectively invade host cells without priming the spike protein with the TMPRSS2 enzyme. Since the gut is high in both TMPRSS2 and ACE2, it makes it a perfect place to attack. There is supported evidence that viral replication can happen in intestinal epithelial cells.
Two wonderful natural ways to stop virus replication. One is Elderberry juice and the other Pine Tree Oil tea (yes, it tastes like a Christmas tree smells). The tea works on the spike protein transmission and contains Suramin used to create the pharmaceutical Tamiflu. Look up Dr. Judy Mikovitz for virology information with real science to back her findings.
The Chemokine protein in the Covid-19 mimics the immune responses of Celiac Disease as the damage done in the intestine by the cytokine storm causes bacteria to invade the gut.
The tight junctions in the gut lining act like Velcro doors are unable to stay closed. This allows large and unbroken proteins to pass the gut barrier into the bloodstream. Higher levels of Zonulin contribute towards Celiac Disease. This is a protein that controls the opening and closing of the tight junctions. It has also been found to be elevated in some Covid-19 patients due the previous explanations.
What are the symptoms of Celiac Disease?
If you have had the Covid virus and have developed new symptoms related to Celiac Disease you may want to consider doing Zoomer testing and consultation. You may not have signs in the beginning but it may progress to the following:
- Bloating, gas, belly pain and flatulence sometimes accompanied by chest discomfort
- Foul diarrhea that is pale or white with a fatty appearance
- Insomnia due to low Calcium, Magnesium, or Zinc triggering anxiety or depression
- Poor concentration and short term memory loss due to gluten “brain fog”
- Weight loss due to malabsorption and fast metabolic dumping of undigested food
- Excess weight gain due to loss of nutrients causing a voracious appetite
- Iron deficiency anemia from untreated malabsorption (headache, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, etc.)
- Rashes (dermatitis herpetiformis) on elbows, knees, or buttocks
- Mouth sores or cancer sores
- Missed menstrual periods, infertility issues, or reoccurring miscarriage
- Liver or Biliary tract disorders
- Headaches, migraines, or seizures
- Bone/joint pain, arthritis, and osteoporosis or osteopenia
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Defects in dental enamel of permanent teeth
- Constipation between diarrhea bouts
- Depression linked to dietary imbalances
- Numbness in extremities or neuropathy as the gut is linked to the neurologic system
- Fatigue from the malnutrition with cravings for sugars and caffeine
- Children with growth problems, vomiting, irritability, constipated/diarrhea with blood, bloated abdomen
Hair Analysis, Covid and Celiac Disease
As you can see there are many symptoms to Celiac Disease that may not be linked if one is not diagnosed but considering the increased likeliness after surviving Covid, it is a serious issue to address. My husband was diagnosed 2016 with Celiac and has since healed his gut with amazing immunity while working 2019 to present at a University with no illness.
Without being caught in time, this autoimmune disease can shorten longevity and diminish your quality of life. I work closely to ensure my clients take the individualized needed supplements to correct imbalances, remove heavy metals, and aid in healing the gut where our immune system lives.
If this information hit home and you suspect an issue, LET’S CHAT about your health goals!
[1] News-medical-net.cdn.ampproject.org
[2] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijcp.14452
Copyright Scientific Nutrition, LLC 2021
