Can Hookworms Help People Living With Coeliac Disease? | Mucosal Immunologist and Coeliac Disease Researcher at James Cook University, Dr Paul Giacomin

A Gluten Free Podcast 
Episode 210

My guest on today’s episode is Mucosal Immunologist and Coeliac Disease Researcher at James Cook University, Dr Paul Giacomin. We’ll talk about a study involving hookworms in the treatment for people with coeliac disease, the insights from this research and how these studies can be used to learn more about alternative treatments for coeliac disease in the future.

What we’ll cover:
* Dr Giacomin’s role at James Cook University and how he came to work in coeliac disease research 

* Dr Giacomin’s background in working on ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases

* How intestinal worms can play a role in our immune system and inflammation in our bodies 

* How the idea for hookworms in the treatment of coeliac disease came about 

* The positives and negatives of intestinal worms in our health 

* Australian trial of hookworms in the study of coeliac disease in 2008

* The tolerance levels of participants in coeliac disease hookworms study in 2012 

* Insights from the hookworms study and why a therapeutic follow up trial didn’t happen 

* How hookworms can have a potential broad immune effect on other diseases and health issues 

* Where hookworms come from and how they are transferred to humans 

* Participants’ experience of living with hookworms

* When to visit your GP if you suspect a worm infection 

* How hookworms are boosting tolerance in the immune system and protection from gluten in people with coeliac disease 

* How hookworms could be turned into synthetic versions in the form of medications 

* Plans for future hookworms in the treatment for coeliac disease 

* Progressing hookworm treatment programs

* How the findings of hookworm studies in coeliac disease be applied to IBD (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, etc) 

* Triggers of autoimmune diseases 

* How to keep up to date with Dr Giacomin’s research trials and get into contact with him

Links
Hookworms for the treatment of coeliac disease symptoms study 

Coeliac Australia article on Worms study 

Email Dr Paul Giacomin: paul.giacomin@jcu.edu.au

Join our podcast facebook group 

Email us: aglutenfreefamily@gmail.com

This podcast reflects personal experiences and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for individual guidance. 

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