Did you know celiac disease and depression are linked? Did you also know 90% of the bodies supply of serotonin (which is linked to depression) lies in your digestive tract? Serotonin is a chemical manufactured in the brain and when at “healthy” levels we feel balanced and happy. In short it regulates our mood. So if our gut is off then we are off! And since we, Celiacs, already have a decreased ability to absorb crucial vitamins and nutrients, we may not be absorbing enough of the important protein that create serotonin. We have millions of brain cells and serotonin affects most of them directly or indirectly – which will then affect our mood, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, and some social behavior. And that’s only to name a few! This is why it’s so VERY important we are aware of the nutrients are body needs and may or may not be getting, and the HUGE role this plays in our path to a happy life!!

I suffered with unexplained depression my whole life so when I found out I was Celiac and about the serious link to depression things started to make sense. Now gluten free for 3 years the depression is much more understandable and manageable. I know that my mood is directly linked to what I’m eating and the nutrients I’m getting. As you know, since you are on this site, that my passion is to scream from the mountain tops everything I’ve learned on this journey. It pains me to think that people are suffering in so many ways including living with depression and that maybe their eating can be a factor in helping them to live a happier life. The millions of people on anti-depressants in this country is astounding. Even worse the numbers of suicides. Which brings me to my next point.  

For the many of who understand what I’m talking about when I speak of depression you understand how devastating it can be on your life – spirit and soul. The isolation you feel sometimes feels unbearable. Hopefully you have the support of friends or family in these times. Sometimes a hug or kind words can help you through those hard days. For me it’s words.

I was watching the Today show recently and saw an interview, followed by a YouTube clip, with a young woman addressing depression and suicide and the role it plays in her life. After her father killed himself due to depression she started a movement by creating P.S. I Love You Day in honor of him and asks everyone to wear purple to remind people they are loved. And since I deal with depression at times this touched me on deep level. Her message of how just a few kind words are more powerful than you would think to someone who is feeling low and powerful in so many ways. Words can harm but more importantly can HEAL. Dealing with depression can make you feel extremely isolated, so to hear something that connects you to another human being can truly save someones day, maybe even a life.

This blog is written with love and in purple in tribute to P.S I Love You Day, February 10th. PLEASE take a few minutes to watch this video clip:

P.S. I Love You from The Troops!

Ever Onward,

Jennifer Esposito

For more information on serotonin we visited these sites:

1. webmd

2. wiki

3. yourlife

4. everydayhealth



~ Jennifer

This Post Has 9 Comments

  1. Chris Perdicaris

    Excellent article, Jennifer! Excellent research! Since you live in New York, you can contact the Department of Sciences at New York University and make inquiries as to where any student or professor has performed research on Celiac disease. You could ask the department if they have a data bank of research articles, essays and experiments on celiac disease. Usually this information is stored in a special section of the NYU library. You may need to be a student or faculty member in order to access this information. However, if you know of anyone that is affiliated with NYU they could access and gather this information for you.

  2. Chris Perdicaris

    This is a link to the New York University Student Health Center:
    http://www.nyu.edu/shc/medservices/recommended.resources.html

    Once you have clicked on the link, scroll down to the category of Nutrition for Specific Medical Conditions. It is there you will find a special category for celiac disease that have the following subcategories:
    Celiac Sprue Association
    Gluten Intolerance Group of North America (GIG)
    National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse

    Also, here is a link to the New York University Research Center:

    http://www.nyu.edu/research.html

    On the top right-hand corner of the page there is a search box. Type in celiac disease and the search will provide a lengthy list of information you can read through.

    I hope this helps!

    Sincerely,

    Chris Perdicaris

  3. vickie

    so have they isolated the particular protein that helps to produce the seratonin in the brain? that being the case, perhaps celiacs that suffer from depression could possibly supplement their diet with that protein as well. please help with this. i suffer from depression in a MAJOR way. plus having had a gastric bypass. could the 18 inches of small intestine that was removed also be part of the intestine instrumental to the absorption of that protein. grasping at straws here……

    1. Jennifer

      HI there,

      I understand depression more than I like to admit. So I truly feel your pain. I don’t know much of your personal situation but what i do know I will share. Food has a direct link to mood! Especially if you have a problem with absorption of nutrients which it sounds as you do. Have you tried liquid vitamin supplements and drinking your vitamins? I use something called ULTRA INFLAM X every day mixed with Hemp or Almond milk and a powder pro biotic. This drink i make into a smoothie with some blueberrys as well, is not only delicious but packed with nutrients and has major anti inflammatory properties! I believe you can order through Amazon. Also please please check your vitamin D. For me I was so lacking vitamin D that it was effecting my mood enormously! I had to take 5000 mlg of LIQUID vit D to ensure it was being absorbed. Please look into these small steps. They truly can make a huge difference. Know one should have to deal with depression, especially at the hands of food!
      Please keep me informed!!!

      Ever Onward
      Jennifer

  4. Deb Salisbury

    You’ve explained so much! I’ve suffered with depression most of my life, but since I went gluten free, about a year ago, I’ve had far less trouble with it.

    I still have trouble convincing my family that “NO, I cannot eat that birthday cake and pizza,” but knowing there’s a link to depression will help me stand firm. I hate feeling like a cartoon character instead of a real person.

  5. Chris Perdicaris

    Dear Jennifer Esposito & Deb Salisbury,

    Now that the both of you know the root cause of what has caused your depression in the past, I beg and plead that neither of you resort to anti-depressants. As a matter of fact, many of the medications and anti-depressants that are prescribed to the American public are banned in Canada due to the side effects.

    One great example of this misdiagnosis and over prescribing of medication was discovered by Canadian researchers in British Colombia where they performed research on children for ADHD. They have found that many children were misdiagnosed and over-medicated. Furthermore, the researchers believe that ADHD is simply a matter of maturity and can be solved using cognitive and nutritional practices rather than prescribing pills.

    Here is the link to this article:
    http://m.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/new-health/health-news/adhd-diagnosis-more-likely-for-kids-born-later-in-the-year-study/article2358987/?service=mobile

    Depression and its effects can easily be mitigated with real nutrition and emotional support of friends and family.

    Sometimes depression is an emotion that skews the present and actual reality we live in resulting in embellishing feelings of fear and despair. I highly recommend reading academic textbooks on psychology, sociology and the biology that relates to mental health. Many people overcame their depression by learning about the numerous social influences and causes of their depression.

    However, in this case the root cause of the depression is due to nutrition because of celiac disease as Ms. Jennifer Esposito pointed out in an earlier post. Therefore, we all can learn about the natural method to address the nutritional causes of depression by staying tuned into Jennifer’s Way. We all can share our experiences, trials and tribulations and our successes through all of our posts.

    I have acquired a vast depth of knowledge about the nutritional challenges I have faced in the past and the challenges I presently endure due to the posts of Jennifer Esposito and all of the members of this website. In fact, I learned how naive I was about the success rate of the health care system in New York. Like many Canadians, we believe if one has the money and the access to the health care services in New York, one is guaranteed to experience immediate, efficient and expedient benefits and results. However, I was shocked to learn that it has numerous challenges. I can definitely say that this knowledge has saved me thousands of dollars. If and when I do pursue to seek out health care services in New York, I will take the necessary steps to research the health care services like any other given location and/or city.

    God bless the both of you with love and strength.

    Chris

  6. Lisa

    Dear Ms. Esposito, What a beautifully written blog post; such important information to share with the world. Thank you for being courageous and sharing your story and help so many others. I found this extremely touching.

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