Gluten and Casein: Their Roles in Psychiatric Disorders

Abstract

Gluten is a herbal protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. Casein is an animal protein found in cows, goats, sheep, and human milk. Since it is not digested properly in people suffering from intestinal-based psychological disorders, its chemical properties turn into structures similar to morphine. Gluten and casein peptides such as gluteomorphin and casomorphine were found in urine samples taken from patients with diseases like Down syndrome, schizophrenia, depression, autism, and epilepsy. These peptides cross the vascular structure through the blood to the brain and the fluid in the brain, causing the function of some areas of the brain to be slowed down. This condition, which originates in the digestive system, is more frequent in people who have an intestine-based psychiatric disease. The psychiatric effects of gluten and casein on different individuals were examined in this review based on the research in the literature, and it was revealed that the findings of these effects were not the same in everyone. Although a gluten-free, casein-free diet is not a cure-all, it can help lessen psychological symptoms.

Cite this article as: Ulaş AŞ, Çakır A, Erbaş O. Gluten and Casein: Their Roles in Psychiatric Disorders. JEB Med Sci 2022;3(1):13-21.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.