There is research to support the idea that a gluten-free diet may be beneficial to some patients with cardiac issues. A study appearing in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepetology (2016 Dec;28(12):1383-1387) looked at patients with postural tachycardia syndrome and the syndrome’s possible relation to gluten sensitivity.
A total of 100 patients with postural tachycardia syndrome were assessed for celiac disease. They also completed a questionnaire that screened for gluten sensitivity, related symptoms and dietary habits. Celiac prevalence was determined in two groups of controls. There were two groups of controls without postural tachycardia syndrome. Group 1 had 1200 controls and Group 2 had 400 controls.
Overall, 4% of patients with postural tachycardia syndrome had celiac disease. This was significantly higher than the 1% prevalence of celiac disease in the control groups. Postural tachycardia syndrome patients also had a higher prevalence of self-reported gluten sensitivity (42% vs. 19%, respectively) compared with age-matched and sex-matched controls.
Researchers concluded, “This is the first study to suggest a potential association between gluten-related disorders and postural tachycardia syndrome. A prospective study evaluating this relationship further may enable a better understanding and management of these conditions.”
