Milk Addiction?
Yes, brain function may become impaired through the odd mystery of milk withdrawal.
mmmmm, good!
After a reader’s offline request for clarification a few weeks ago, it’s time we take a few moments away from wheat and gluten sensitivity to explore brain function downstream [yes, intended] from our old friend, milk.
In that previous post on opiate withdrawal from gluten and casein I addressed the frequency and challenges of going off wheat and milk after recognizing gluten/casein sensitivity. The culprit: opioid peptides which appear to mimic the effect of opiates in the brain, and can result in withdrawal symptoms in some sensitive people.
The name of the two peptides with links here for further review [noting that authorities don't yet completely agree on this phenomenon] are casomorphin [a milk peptide] and gliadorphin or gluteomorphine [two names for the opioid peptide arising from partially broken down gliadin portion of the gluten protein in wheat.
While some may not agree, we have regularly seen "withdrawal symptoms" quite commonly after testing reveals wheat protein or milk protein sensitivity associated with psychiatric problems.
A brief clinical example may help make the point on covering both the milk and the wheat sensitivity questions with your family or your clients:
A 12 yo boy presents with refractory ADD and moods, just not getting better. He not only has problems focusing, but has an exquisite sensitivity to all of his peers, and can be quite irritable and depressed. Relationships with parents: great.
Concerned, informed parents spent hours and considerable money on evaluation of the possible causes of the moods and ADD with SPECT scans at the Amen Clinic in Fairfield CA [about 2 years ago to evaluate his brain function].
Multiple bowel symptoms arise in the first interview including chronic constipation, GI upset, “touchy stomach,” sensitivity to many foods and picky eating. Testing at Enterolab [easily accomplished with a stool specimen and no needles] revealed casein and gluten sensitivity.
The parents had already taken him off wheat with an elimination diet as I suggested straightaway after hearing his history. Interestingly, in their compassion with the dietary changes, they had continued milk. He experienced withdrawal and regression going off his addictive wheat, [felt foggy, more irritable and shaky] but continued symptomatic with the initial symptoms while still on milk.
My prediction: He will have more difficulty with milk withdrawal, is already in an opiate withdrawal process in the first place, and will likely get worse with milk withdrawal.
Having spent years working with “drug addicts and alcoholics” [as some call them] in withdrawal, I suggested they go low and slow, but stay on complete withdrawal as an objective. The rationalization is: “he won’t feel so bad if he stays on these happy foods.”
But consider the other option: those sensitivities and the opiates will continue to diminish brain function if not corrected.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Janice,
Thanks for the references – looks like the Gut and Psychology book is out of print. Will chase down the other connections. Appreciate your comments-
cp
Two things that I find help: 1– Udos Choics Probiotics ..one per day for one week, 2 per week for two weeks..not too many helps brain-gut connection and assim. of minerals
Also read Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD on the gut brain connection and healing the gut..www.bodyecologydiet.com to purchase & read article in Wise Traditions Journal by http://www.westonaprice.org
My late father , myself [68yrs.]my son [40yrs] , my younger daughter [37yrs.] possibly my elder daughter [41yrs.]my granddaughter [7yrs.] blood tests negative ,had started diet already so refused biopsy. So many years of suffering . Why don’t G.P.s know more about this disease ? So much expense for us and the N.H.S.
JRB
One of the most frequently overlooked additional problems that occurs following the diet change is the gut healing issue. Opiate withdrawal, covered in several posts here, is but one aspect of recovery.
After withdrawal, gut healing deserves its own plan.
B vitamins are helpful, as are several other nutritional products that actually heal the several broken, leaky layers of gut [my term: "the bowel lasagna"] – corrupted by the gluten sensitivity in the first place.
Look forward to sharing more info on these matters soon,
Thanks,
Chuck
I’ve found vitamin B6 (50 mg) and B-complex (B-50) supplements to be an important addition to our GFCF diet.
The GFCF diet has solved 75% of our difficulties– but moods seem more stable and tempers don’t flare when we remember to take the Bs too. It’s especially helpful when the kids have been having sweets or irregular meals, so perhaps it helps to regulate blood sugar (?).
Hey Personal Growth,
You have a very interesting site, -would like to contribute to your excellent efforts at spreading the word. Problem is easy: Time.
Thanks for your note, blog on!
Chuck
Thanks for the health update that you have given, i have to be more concious.