Did you know that having celiac disease can affect your mental health?

In your intestines, you have cells called enterochromaffin cells (EC cells for short). These cells are responsible for producing over 90% of the serotonin in your body. Serotonin is a chemical that is important for many reasons: it’s in your gut because it affects motility. Motility is the movement of digested food through your intestines. But serotonin also controls your mood; when your body doesn’t have enough serotonin, it can make you feel moody and depressed.

If you have untreated celiac disease, you might feel sad because your body isn’t making enough serotonin. The main component of serotonin is a compound called tryptophan, which your body mostly gets from the food that you eat. BUT, if you have untreated celiac disease, your body can’t absorb enough tryptophan, and therefore your intestines can’t make enough serotonin, leaving you feeling a little blue.

But once you’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease, and your body is making serotonin, you might still be feeling a little sad. A lot of people with celiac disease struggle to make the transition to a gluten free diet. Fear of eating something you think is safe but actually isn’t can make meals stressful, and not being able to eat anything at parties or family dinners can leave you feeling left out and different.

So what can you do? When transitioning to a gluten free diet, do lots of reading! Consider joining a local support group. Focus on what you can eat, and find recipes that are delicious and easy to make. Get your friends and family involved by having them help you cook and taste test your new concoctions. When going to a party, bring a safe treat with you, or talk to the host beforehand to make sure they understand your dietary needs. You can find printable cards of information (like these: http://www.glutenfreeeasy.com/facts/living/cards.asp) that you can bring with you to restaurants or parties. And lastly, be patient with yourself! It takes time to adjust to new things, but you’ll get there. It’s okay to ask lots of questions and have a few stumbles along the way. Practice makes perfect!

For more information on the psychological impact of celiac disease, click here.

Sources:

Ahlman, H., and Nilsson, O. (2001). The gut as the largest endocrine organ in the body. Annals of Oncology 12, S63-S68.

Coleman, N.S., Foley, S., Dunlop, S.P., Wheatcroft, J., Blackshaw, E., Perkins, A.C., Singh, G., Marsden, C.A., Holmes, G.K., and Spiller, R.C. (2006). Abnormalities of Serotonin Metabolism and Their Relation to Symptoms in Untreated Celiac Disease. 4, 874-881.