There are so many reasons to avoid wheat. Here is yet another reason to avoid wheat — new study. Wheat contains recently understood substances called amylase-trypsin inhibitors ATIs which have been found to activate a part of the immune system that increases intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, they tested the biological activity of these ATIs from the various foods. The Problem with Wheat Wheat gluten is a protein that is subdivided into many different gliadins and glutenins. These gluten proteins are high in proline and glutamine. Because of this structure, they are partly resistant to the effects of intestinal enzymes. This results in undigested peptides that can be sensed by the intestinal immune system and cause an immunologic response. In people with celiac disease, these gluten peptides are bound by the human lymphocyte antigen HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 the major and necessary genetic predisposition for celiac disease and cause activation of T cells. The process leads to villus atrophy and crypt hyperplasia, which is pathognomonic for celiac disease. Villus atrophy leads to poor absorption of nutrients, thus nutrient malabsorption — and may promote certain other, celiac disease—associated autoimmune disorders. Wheat is Problematic Even for People Without a Celiac Diagnosis There are so many problems with wheat and the gluten in wheat. That normally occurs, in order for nutrient and other molecules to get in and out of the intestine. However, when leaky gut is present, the spaces between the cells open up too much and this allows the larger protein molecules to get into the bloodstream where an immunologic reaction can take place. Once that happens, the body is primed to react to those proteins each and every time they appear. Zonulin is activated by many substances, for example, the gliadin or gluten in wheat. We know that gliadin causes zonulin levels to increase in people with the genetic pre-disposition to celiac disease. As zonulin levels go up, the tight junctions become lax, widening the space between the cells of the lining and increasing gut permiability. These are noticed by the immune system and targeted as foreign. An immune response ensues and the worse it gets, the more damage to the enterocytes cells of the intestinal lining — in the process, the microvilli may be damaged in the case of celiac and eventually flattened. That is a condition that makes it very difficult to absorb nutrients. This is extremely significant because it means that anyone who eats food containing gliadin is at risk for developing leaky gut from this food. What foods contain gliadin? The same as gluten — grains contain gliadin. The gluten-free diet is conventional treatment for celiac. Some people do very well with this but there is research that shows that only 66% of celiacs fully heal on the gluten-free diet after 5 years. These folks need a stricter diet and a gut healing protocol. Lectins are manufactured by plants as a way to protect themselves from predators. They are actually plant poisons. Lectins are most concentrated in the seed. Therefore they are at risk for digestive irritation and the resulting leaky gut. The lectin called wheat germ agglutinin WGA or wheat lectin is particularly difficult to break down. Phytates have been studied extensively and findings show that phytates contribute to widespread mineral deficiencies in third world countries. Phytic acid also inhibits enzymes that we need to digest our food. These include pepsin, amylase, and trypsin, which is needed for protein digestion in the small intestine. In fact, when people who have been wheat sensitive start using heritage wheat like or strains, and start to prepare it properly, some find that they can tolerate it well. It definitely increases yield up to 10 fold. However, it has been postulated by author of that it also increases calories per day consumption in those who eat grains. What are Wheat Amylase Trypsin Inhibitors ATIs? Back to the study. The researchers selected 38 different gluten containing and gluten free products and measured the amount of ATIs present. For the unprocessed foods they tested wheat, rye, barley, quinoa, amaranth, soy, lentils, and rice. For the processed foods they tested pizza, pasta, bread, and biscuits. They extracted the ATIs and the effects of them on mice and human cell lines for intestinal inflammation were studied. ATIs work by stimulating toll-like receptor 4 TLR4 which, in turn, activates the innate immune system and cause inflammation. The researchers found several pertinent results: 1- The gluten containing foods had ATI levels as much as 100 times higher than in the gluten free foods. Dendritic cells messenger immune cells became prominently activated in mesenteric lymph nodes intestinal lymph nodes. The researchers concluded, Gluten-containing cereals have by far the highest concentrations of ATIs that activate TLR4. Orally ingested ATIs are largely resistant to proteases and heat, and increase intestinal inflammation by activating gut and mesenteric lymph node myeloid cells. What this means is that gluten containing foods have high levels of ATIs and these substances activate intestinal inflammation. We have known about all the above reasons and more to quit wheat and gluten and here is yet another good reason, even if you do not have celiac disease. If you have allergies or an autoimmune disease, this is a very good reason to quit wheat and gluten. Learn how to make bone broth and soups full of collagen and gelatin in my ebook Check out my newest ebook, — on sale today! Get many more and tons of information and instructions on using grain free flours in my fantastic kindle books. Grab my kindle books here! These recipes are suitable for Paleo, SCD, GAPS and all grain free eaters. 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