Health Report Got gut issues? Don't assume it's gluten
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Nov 14, 2025 Jess Berzikerski, Head of Human Nutrition at the University of Melbourne, uncovers insights into non-coeliac gluten sensitivity and the surprising roles of FODMAPs and psychological factors in gut symptoms. Ian Keller, Professor at the University of Edinburgh, discusses intriguing research linking doxycycline exposure in adolescents to a reduced risk of schizophrenia. Elisabeth Widerpass from IARC highlights that 30-50% of cancers are preventable, with alcohol being a significant contributor—an urgent reminder for effective public health policies.
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Gluten Often Gets The Blame Mistakenly
- Many people who self-diagnose as gluten sensitive likely react to other components, not gluten itself.
- Associate Professor Jess Berzikerski highlights fructans/FODMAPs and nocebo effects as common culprits.
Audience Shows High Self-Reported Gluten Sensitivity
- Norman Swan asked a large audience if they were gluten intolerant and 40% raised hands, illustrating over-reporting.
- He used this to show perceived gluten sensitivity is much higher than true prevalence.
Expectation Amplifies Gut Symptoms
- Expectation and brain-gut communication powerfully shape symptom perception.
- Brain imaging shows threat and expectation can activate pain regions and amplify normal gut sensations.