Could wheat allergy be linked to diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a serious and debilitating condition that occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce the insulin required to transport glucose from the blood stream. It is believed the cells in the pancreas are damaged through an autoimmune response, where the body essentially attacks itself by mistake. The causes of type 1 diabetes are unknown, and there is currently no cure. New research has suggested the gut plays an active role in the diabetes disease process, with an abnormal immune response to wheat proteins potentially triggering the development of type 1 diabetes in predisposed individuals.

The study, conducted in Canada, showed almost half of the 42 participants who had type 1 diabetes also had an abnormal immune response to wheat proteins. Earlier results from animal studies found that a wheat-free diet can reduce the risk of developing diabetes, however much more research will be required to confirm the link and determine possible effects of diet changes in humans.

Research is also needed to investigate links with coeliac disease, another autoimmune disease linked to an abnormal immune response to wheat. Those with type 1 diabetes are known to have an increased risk of developing coeliac disease.

Reference: Mojibian et al. 2009. Diabetes. Vol 58 pp. 1789-1796. DOI:10.2337/db08-1579