Why Gluten May Contribute to Chronic Inflammation

It’s not about trends—it’s about what your body can tolerate

You might be surprised to see gluten come up in a conversation about age-related macular degeneration (AMD). After all, most people associate gluten with coeliac disease—not eye health.

But in my clinical practice, I’ve seen how removing gluten can help reduce inflammation, improve gut function, and support metabolic health in people with AMD. And while it’s not always necessary for everyone, it’s often something I suggest exploring—especially if inflammation is driving disease progression.

What Is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. It gives bread its stretch and chewiness—but it can also be difficult for many people to digest.

Even if you don’t have coeliac disease, gluten can:

• Increase intestinal permeability (sometimes called “leaky gut”)

• Disrupt the gut microbiome

• Trigger an immune response

• Contribute to systemic inflammation—especially in people with existing inflammatory conditions

How Does This Affect AMD?

Chronic inflammation is one of the key drivers of AMD—and gluten can be a sneaky contributor to that inflammation in sensitive individuals.

Here’s how gluten may make things worse:

• Promotes gut inflammation, which can spread systemically

• Worsens insulin resistance and blood sugar dysregulation (both risk factors for AMD)

• May increase autoimmune activity and oxidative stress

• Can drive up levels of inflammatory cytokines that affect the eyes

  
  

It’s worth considering if you’re experiencing:

• Digestive discomfort

• Bloating, brain fog, fatigue

• Autoimmunity

• Blood sugar issues or insulin resistance

• Or if your AMD is progressing despite doing “all the right things”

Is This About Being Gluten-Free Forever?

Not necessarily.

This is about exploring gluten as a possible trigger. In many cases, removing it (even short-term) helps reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and reveal whether your body is struggling to tolerate it.

Some people reintroduce it later without a problem. Others feel significantly better without it and choose to keep it out long-term.

It’s Not Just About the Bread

Remember: gluten is often found in ultra-processed foods—things like white bread, pasta, pizza bases, processed snacks, cakes, pastries and cereals. These foods don’t just contain gluten. They also spike blood sugar, contain seed oils, and lack key nutrients your eyes rely on.

So whether or not gluten is an issue for you, removing these processed foods is usually a win for your vision.

A Final Thought

Removing gluten isn’t about jumping on a trend.

It’s about asking: is this food supporting my health—or getting in the way?

You won’t know until you explore it—and that’s where personalised nutrition comes in.

Curious about whether gluten could be contributing to inflammation or AMD progression in your case?

Book a free call and let’s talk about how to explore it safely and realistically.