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Wheatgrass & Celiac

For patients with celiac disease, whether or not to consume wheatgrass can be the difference between health and illness. With its high nutritional content, wheatgrass is beneficial to the majority of the population, but it can trigger an abnormal autoimmune response in celiac patients. Understanding celiac disease and wheatgrass will help you determine if wheatgrass will make you healthier--or if it will make you sick.

  1. Celiac Disease

    • Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder that affects 1 percent of the U.S. population, according to the University of Chicago. It is triggered by gluten--a protein found in the grains wheat, barley, rye and spelt. When gluten enters the blood stream of a celiac patient, the immune system answers with antibodies that attack the lining of the small intestine. The only treatment for celiac disease is a life-long, strict avoidance of gluten.

    Wheatgrass

    • Wheatgrass is the young, leafy-portion of the wheat grain. It is harvested after the seeds have sprouted but before the wheat grain has appeared. After harvest, it is usually squeezed into juice. A rich source of vitamins and antioxidants, wheatgrass is consumed primarily for its nutritional properties. It is also an excellent source of fiber, so it may be used as a digestive aid. Some consumers have claimed that wheatgrass can help treat cancer or shrink tumors; however, there is no available scientific evidence to support such claims, according the American Cancer Society.

    Debate

    • There is some debate among celiac sufferers as to whether or not wheatgrass is safe. Because the offending protein is located in the wheat berry, the grain or seed of the grain, it is possible that wheatgrass will not harm celiac patients. However, the wheatgrass producer and the juice manufacturer would need to ensure that no seeds or grains contaminate the final product. Because most growers and manufacturers do not cater to celiac patients, such strict precautionary measures are unlikely.

    Effects

    • If a patient with celiac disease consumes wheatgrass containing even a small portion of gluten, the abnormal autoimmune response will damage the lining of the small intestine. The damage will result in malabsorption and other digestive issues. Malabsorption can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, causing further illness to the patient. Therefore, any potential benefits of wheatgrass are far outweighed by the resulting intestinal damage.

    Considerations

    • Celiac patients should weigh the possible consequences before consuming wheatgrass. Many patients will try a questionable product to see if they have any noticeable symptoms associated with that product. However, this does not guarantee that there has been no immunological reaction. According to the Celiac Disease Center at the University of Chicago, many patients with celiac disease report no symptoms after ingesting gluten. The reaction is found only in subsequent blood tests and intestinal biopsies.

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