Page 48 - The Autoimmune Protocol

The Autoimmune Protocol

artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are just as bad, if not worse, than sugar. Not
only have they been shown to cause inflammation in the lining of the gut, they feed the
bad bacteria.

A little sugar here and there may not do much harm, but never underestimate the
importance of moderation in a diet. Natural sugars like raw honey and maple syrup are
favorable alternatives, but they also contain sugar and should be used in moderation.

Gluten is another harmful substance for gut health. It is a protein found in grains. Gluten
is practically everywhere, so it can be hard to avoid. The gluten we eat today is different
than the gluten our ancestors may have consumed due to the emergence of genetically
modified grains. These grains may have much higher amounts of gluten, making our
bodies more prone to a possible reaction.

When the body encounters gluten, an enzyme in the intestinal wall begins to break it down
into substances called gliadin and glutenin. When gliadin and glutenin make their way
through the rest of the digestive tract, the gut-associated lymphoid tissue checks may
identify it as dangerous and begin an attack. The gut-associated lymphoid tissue is
basically our gut’s immune system. It is responsible for reviewing everything we eat and
deciding whether it is bad or not. If it is safe, the body absorbs it. If it is perceived as
harmful by this lymphoid tissue, an immune assault will take place, leading to unwanted
and unpleasant side-effects.

When an attack takes place in the gut due to gluten, the body attempts to fight the gliadin
and glutenin, but also attacks the enzyme responsible for breaking gluten down into
gliadin and glutenin. This enzyme plays an important role in the holding together of
microvilli in the gut. Microvilli are small hair-like appendages inside the intestine that
help the body absorb vital nutrients to stay healthy. When the enzyme that helps maintain
microvilli is harmed, microvilli are also harmed. Over time, this results in the body having
a hard time absorbing nutrients, which may lead to malnutrition and anemia.

Sometimes the autoimmune reaction resulting from an encounter with gluten can harm
more than just the microvilli, resulting in an attack on other substances throughout the
body. Many people with inflammatory bowel conditions like celiac disease are at a higher
risk for an additional autoimmune disease.

Not everyone is sensitive or allergic to gluten, but the fact that this substance is found
everywhere, paired with the fact that it is now stronger, can lead to harm. If you are
someone who is already suffering from an autoimmune disease, it may be best to begin
reading labels carefully and start avoiding gluten in your diet to prevent any further
complications. Gluten may be tricky to identify on labels. Look for terms like Triticum
vulgare (wheat), Triticale (cross between wheat and rye), Hordeum vulgare (barley),
Secale cereale (rye), and Triticum spelta (spelt, a form of wheat). Other terms to look for

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