Gluten

Hookworms employed in gluten battle

The trial is due to start in a few months, and aims to help the tens of thousands of people in New Zealand who suffer from coeliac disease.

The lead clinician for the trial, Richard Gearry, said it followed a similar study in Australia which showed benefits.

Professor Gearry said the worm enters the body through the skin and makes its way through the blood stream before ending up in the gut.

Gluten sensitivity may be caused by immune response, study finds

The team, in collaboration with the University of Bologna in Italy, found that patients who experience various gastrointestinal symptoms in response to wheat ingestion may be suffering from a body-wide inflammatory immune reaction not seen in patients with celiac disease.

The inflammation, researchers said, is due to a weakened gut, and the condition is referred to as non-celiac gluten or wheat sensitivity (NCWS). Symptoms of NCWS include intestinal problems, as well as fatigue, cognitive difficulties, or mood disturbances.