The study involved 60 subjects people with an average age of 70 who had peripheral neuropathy. At the end of the study those subjects who were following a gluten-free diet were more likely to be free of pain than people who did not follow a strict gluten-free diet. Another important finding from this study was that people with gluten neuropathy pain scored significantly worse on the mental health assessment which was done. The mental/ emotional effects of gluten sensitivity has been well documented over many years. This study is yet another which expands the potential use of gluten free dietary recommendations for many patients for whom this had not been previously seen as related.
Dr Zis concludes, “This study is promising because it shows that a gluten-free diet may help lower the risk of pain for people with gluten neuropathy. More research is needed to confirm these results and to determine whether the gluten-free diet led to the reduction in pain.”