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]

How does Celiac Disease link to Covid-19?

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 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.

We have enzymes attached to our cellular membranes called Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) which lowers blood pressure. They are high in the intestines, testis, gallbladder, kidney, and heart. This enzyme as well as a protein on the surface of cells in our respiratory and digestive tracts called Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) are targeted by the Covid-19 virus. The latter is also linked to prostate cancer development and growth. With Celiac Disease both of these enzymes are high.

The SARS-CoV-2 uses a spike protein to invade host cells through the ACE2 which speeds up a viral invasion causing massive inflammation. ACE2 is expressed in many tissues, particularly the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract setting 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 are Elderberry juice and Pine Tree Oil tea (yes, it tastes like a Christmas tree smells) for spike protein transmission which contains Suramin used to create the pharmaceutical Tamiflu.

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 that act like Velcro doors are unable to stay closed allowing large and unbroken proteins to pass the gut barrier into the bloodstream. In the same manner that higher levels of Zonulin, a protein that controls the opening and closing of the tight junctions, contribute towards Celiac Disease, it has also been found to be elevated in some Covid-19 patients.

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

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 describes you, let’s chat at on a call!

[1] News-medical-net.cdn.ampproject.org

[2] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijcp.14452

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