*the podcast will be changing to every other week during the COVID-19 outbreak due to my interviewees busy schedules*
This episode, I interview NCWS researcher and expert, Dr. Armin Alaedini on non-celiac wheat sensitivity (also referred to as gluten sensitivity) – and how the immune system and our microbes are involved!
Dr. Armin Alaedini is a faculty member of the Department of Medicine at Columbia University and is on the adjunct faculty of New York Medical College. He is also a faculty member and graduate mentor at the Institute of Human Nutrition at Columbia University. For 20 years his research has focused on the gut ecosystem, host-microbe interaction, and inflammation in the context of complex disorders. Dr. Alaedini has been awarded research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Department of Defense, and private foundations, and has served as chair and reviewer on multiple NIH grant study sections. His expert commentaries have appeared in various media outlets, including the New York Times, BBC, U.S. News & World Report, Associated Press, Reuters, NBC News, Science, and Nature. He is a recipient of the 2014 Idea Award from the Department of Defense and the 2016 Tsunoda Senior Fellow Award from Columbia University. He previously served on the Executive Board of the Society for the Study of Celiac Disease and is on the Scientific Advisory Board of several organizations.
Dr. Alaedini and I discuss:
- The difference between celiac and NCWS
- How to diagnose NCWS
- Symptoms of NCWS
- What components in wheat may contribute to this food sensitivity (Gluten as a dietary antigen vs other components in wheat)
- What could contribute to a loss of tolerance in recognizing these components as safe?
- Possible rates of occurrence or populations that may be at higher risk of NCWS
- Could there be a biomarker available soon?
- How will this contribute to therapies for NCWS in the future?
- How does the gut microbiota play a role in the development of NCWS?
- How the gut-immune-brain axis may play a role in NCWS
- Extra-intestinal symptoms & the gut-immune-brain axis in NCWS
- How do we take care of patients with NCWS?
Interesting that the symptoms are similar to Celiac…but also beyond the gut! Fascinating topic.
Thanks Amy!
Wow, I had no idea there was NCWS. My mind is blown, and this is so helpful for practitioners to be aware of.
Super interesting! Thanks for this, Andrea!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is such an important topic. I have patients who are told they do not have celiac disease and that they can eat wheat but they KNOW the wheat makes them feel bad.
Yes such an important thing to discuss!
This info will definitely help me with my clients. Thank you so much!
Thanks Jodi glad it could be of help!
Such an important topic. Thanks for spreading awareness on this problem.
Such an important topic. Thanks for spreading awareness of this problem.
Thanks Jeanette! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you SO much for this episode! As someone with (I assume) NCWS I’m always trying to educate people on this topic. I was tested for celiac over 11 years ago and was negative. But, I do have one of the celiac genes. I decided to try a gluten free diet anyways, and within 6 months, practically all of my Sjogren’s (an autoimmune disease) symptoms were gone. These were not GI symptoms, but rather neuropathy, extreme muscle aches (I constantly felt like I was coming down with the flu), rashes, extreme fatigue, and an increase in headaches. We still have so much to learn about NCWS-I’m excited to follow Dr. Aladeini, and would be thrilled to see a biomarker in the future. Thanks for sharing this great podcast!
Thank you for sharing your story Erin! I’m glad this is helpful to share information about this important, but sometimes ignored, condition! <3