By Jason Clevenger
Summary: Ancient strains of wheat are as toxic to those with celiac disease as more modern types, testing done in the United Kingdom found.
Researchers harvested immune system cells from 13 patients with biopsy-proven celiac disease. They then tested the response of the cells to ancient and modern strains of wheat, including varieties known as kamut and spelt. All of the strains tested, regardless of being ancient or modern, triggered responses in the immune cells.
Conclusion: This report adds to the evidence that kamut, spelt and other wheat varieties should be avoided on a gluten-free diet. They provoke the same immune system response in those who have celiac disease as more modern strains of wheat.
[1] “Evaluation of the safety of ancient strains of wheat in coeliac disease reveals heterogeneous small intestinal T cell responses suggestive of coeliac toxicity”, Suligoj T, Gregorini A, Colomba M, Ellis HJ, Ciclitira PJ, #Clinical Nutrition# 2013 Feb 14 [Epub ahead of print].
