The Link Between Inflammation and Celiac Disease (SH2B3, ATXN2)

Elimination Diet

Gluten

The only effective treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet. Most people can successfully manage their symptoms by avoiding gluten.

This approach may be essential for people with SH2B3 variants, as gluten can spike TNF-alpha and Th1 cytokines in people who don’t tolerate it. Th1 cells play a central role in celiac disease development [R, R, R].

This protein is present in the following grains and their products [R]:

• Wheat
• Rye
• Spelt
• Barley
• Triticale

If you don’t have celiac disease, but you are experiencing digestive issues, consider removing gluten from your diet and see if your symptoms improve.

Lectins and Dairy

Dietary lectins may also worsen inflammation in people sensitive to them. For example, lectins contributed to autoimmunity in one study with rheumatoid arthritis patients. Preliminary research suggests that avoiding lectins may reduce the symptoms of autoimmune conditions in sensitive individuals [R, R].

Lectins may stimulate TNF-alpha and IL-1b production in response to bacterial infections and thus mimic your SH2B3 variants [R, R, R].

A trial of 800 people suggested TNF-a levels as a marker for lectin exposure in sensitive people. Additionally, lectins may worsen the impact of your variant by promoting Th1-mediated immunity [R, R, R, R].

Gut damage and inflammation in celiac disease may cause temporary lactose intolerance. Such patients may need to avoid dairy until their gut lining recovers [R].

Elimination diets such as the Lectin Avoidance Diet may help identify and remove common food irritants — such as lectins, gluten, and dairy — that may be worsening autoimmunity in sensitive individuals [R, R, R].

Gluten, lectins, and dairy may contribute to inflammation and digestive issues in sensitive people. Elimination diets can help identify and remove common food irritants.

Nutritional Yeast

Beta-glucans and cell wall components from nutritional yeast (S. cerevisiae) can support the gut microbiome and help with a range of digestive issues [R, R, R, R].

They may silence inflammation by reducing TNF-a and IL-1b release in response to bacteria. At the same time, they help remove harmful gut bacteria and support the good ones [R, R, R, R].

Nutritional yeast is rich in zinc and different B vitamins, such as [R, R]:

• Folate (B9)
• Thiamin (B1)
• Riboflavin (B2)
• Niacin (B3)
• Pyridoxine (B6)

Since many celiac disease patients are deficient in B vitamins and zinc, consuming nutritional yeast may be a great way to supply these essential nutrients [R, R, R].

Important: Unlike nutritional yeast, grown on glucose or molasses, brewer’s yeast is usually grown on grains and may contain gluten. There are gluten-free brewer’s yeasts, just make sure to check the labels [R].

Nutritional yeast can reduce TNF-a and IL-1b release in response to bacteria. It’s rich in zinc and B vitamins, which are essential for celiac disease patients. 

Probiotics

Just like beta-glucans, probiotics can suppress the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestines, which cause excess TNF-alpha and IL-1b levels. Two large meta-analyses confirmed the potential of probiotic supplementation to reduce TNF-a [R, R].

Gut microbiome disturbance plays a significant role in celiac disease. Most CD patients have fewer Bifidobacterium strains and more harmful strains such as Clostridium, Bacteroides, and Enterobacteria [R].

Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine may worsen celiac disease and hinder gut recovery [R].

Probiotic (Bifidobacterium spp.) supplementation in patients with celiac disease has yielded mixed results. In one trial, it improved the symptoms but not immunological markers. In another, it only improved lab markers of inflammation [R, R].

Probiotic supplementation may help improve microbiome disturbance and reduce SH2B3-mediated gut inflammation. The beneficial effects on celiac disease are inconclusive.

Omega-3

Long-term supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil (EPA + DHA) significantly reduced IL-1b in 174 patients. In a small trial of 9 volunteers, they suppressed both TNF-a and IL-1b [R, R].

Omega-3s may also lower the levels of Th1 cytokines, such as IL-2 and IFN-gamma, which may be elevated in people with the discussed variants [R, R].

According to robust clinical evidence, omega-3s may help with various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions and reduce the need for anti-inflammatory drugs [R, R].

Omega-3 fatty acids can support the gut microbiota, strengthen the intestinal wall, and improve the gut-brain connection. However, studies are yet to investigate their potential in celiac disease patients [R].

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can suppress SH2B3-related cytokines, improve gut health, and help with autoimmunity. Their therapeutic potential in celiac disease is unknown.