General Description
	Testimonials
	Brochure
	Analyte List
	Specimen Requirements
	CPT Code
	Kit Instructions
	Sample Report
	Order Test

General Description

The Gluten/Casein Peptides Test can determine the inability to digest wheat, rye, barley, and milk. These undigested proteins, called peptides, are associated with gastrointestinal, neurological, and neuro-developmental disorders.

Urinary peptides are incompletely broken down pieces of protein. The peptides from gluten and casein can react with opiate receptors in the brain, thus mimicking the effects of opiate drugs like heroin and morphine. These compounds, called neuropeptides, have been shown to react with areas of the brain's temporal lobes that are involved in speech and auditory integration. Neuropeptides also decrease the ability to feel pain and effect cognitive function.

Most people who have food allergies to milk and wheat also have problems with peptides from these foods interacting with their brain and causing an opiate-like effect. However, some individuals may not show a food allergy to milk or wheat, but have the peptide problem and vice versa. Because of this, we recommend the Gluten/Casein Peptides Test be taken in addition to our food allergy testing.

Click here to view the Recommendations By Disorder Chart (PDF)

What is Gliadorphin?

Gliadorphin (or gluteomorphin) is a peptide derived from the wheat protein gluten. Other related grains such as rye, barley and oats also contain the sequence of amino acids found in gluten. Gliadorphin is very similar to casomorphin. Gliadorphin has been verified by mass spectrometry techniques to be present in urine samples of children with autism. Both casomorphin and gliadorphin are composed of seven amino acids, which are abbreviated below. Both caseomorphin and gliadorphin start with the beginning N-terminal sequence tyr-pro (for tyrosine and proline) and the additional pro (proline) in positions 4 and 6 of both peptides, as indicated below.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Casomorphin	tyr	pro	phe	pro	gly	pro	ile
Gliadorphin	tyr	pro	gln	pro	gln	pro	phe

What is Casomorphin?

Casomorphin is a peptide derived from the milk protein casein. Casein is one of the major proteins in the milk of all mammals including cows, goats, and humans.

Dr. Reichelt in Norway, Dr. Cade at the University of Florida, and others found that urine samples from people with autism, PDD, celiac disease and schizophrenia contained high amounts of the casomorphin peptide. These peptides could also be elevated in other disorders such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and depression based on anecdotal reports of symptom remission after exclusion of wheat and dairy.

Why are These Peptides Important?

The peptides from gluten and casein are important because they react with opiate receptors in the brain, thus mimicking the effects of opiate drugs like heroin and morphine. These compounds have been shown to react with the brain's temporal lobes that are involved in speech and auditory integration.

Children with autism frequently seem addicted to wheat and dairy products. Presumably, people with autism and schizophrenia incompletely digest wheat and dairy products. These incompletely digested peptides are then absorbed into the body and bind to opiate receptors, altering behavior and other physiological reactions.

Testimonials

Urinary Peptides Test by Kurt Woeller, D.O.

“I want to express my sincerest gratitude for your research and commitment to helping people.  If it were not for your work, I honestly believe that my son would not be talking, socializing or making the remarkable progress that he has been making in the past five months since starting the gluten-free, casein-free diet.”

– Email to The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc.


"I like the work of The Great Plains Laboratory, and the book and conferences by Dr. Shaw. I have sent samples from my patients for detection of organic acids and morphine peptides in urine and now they are improving greatly with the results you have recommended."

– Pediatrician from Barcelona, Spain

Brochure

Click here for printable brochure (PDF)

Analyte List

Gliadorphin (peptide from wheat) and Casomorphin (peptide from dairy)

Specimen Requirements

10 mL of first morning urine before food and drink is preferred. The patient must discontinue soy proteins one week prior to collection of specimen (soy bean oil and soy lecithin are considered acceptable).

CPT Code

82570  83519 (2 units)  No Medicare Coverage

Kit Instructions

For urine instructions please click here.