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Recent Blogs

Frito-Lay to Begin Labeling Gluten-Free Products

By Gryphon Myers| 05/18/2012

North American Society for the Study of Celiac Disease Calls for Industry Standardization of "Gluten-Free" Labeling

By Scott Adams| 05/18/2012

Domino's Pizza Now Offers "Almost" Gluten-Free Pizza (So Be Careful!)

By Scott Adams| 05/8/2012

Krispak Inc. Issues Recall Due to Mis-Pack, Resulting in Potential Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk, Wheat, And Egg in GFS Brand Hostess Candy Mix

By Scott Adams| 04/26/2012

Mediterra S.A. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in Mastihashop Brand Pies, Pasta, and Spreads

By Scott Adams| 04/12/2012

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Definition of Celiac Disease

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is a genetic disorder that affects at least 1 in 133  Americans. Symptoms of celiac disease can range from the classic features, such as diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition, to latent  symptoms such as isolated nutrient deficiencies but no gastrointestinal symptoms. The disease mostly affects people of European (especially Northern European) descent, but recent studies show that it also affects Hispanic, Black and Asian populations as well. Those affected suffer damage to the villi (shortening and villous flattening) in the lamina propria and crypt regions of their intestines when they eat specific food-grain antigens (toxic amino acid sequences) that are found in wheat, rye, and barley. Oats  have traditionally been considered to be toxic to celiacs, but recent scientific studies have shown otherwise. This research is ongoing, however, and it may be too early to draw solid conclusions.

Because of the broad range of symptoms celiac disease presents, it can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can range from mild weakness, bone pain, and aphthous stomatitis to chronic diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and progressive weight loss. If a person with the disorder continues to eat gluten, studies have shown that he or she will increase their chances of gastrointestinal cancer by a factor of 40 to 100 times that of the normal population. Further, gastrointestinal carcinoma or lymphoma  develops in up to 15 percent of patients with untreated or refractory celiac disease. It is therefore imperative that the disease is quickly and properly diagnosed so it can be treated as soon as possible.
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Journal of Gluten Sensitivity


Journal of Gluten Sensitivity
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For in-depth information on celiac disease and the gluten-free diet. Edited by Dr. Ron Hoggan, author of Dangerous Grains, and co-edited by Scott Adams, founder of Celiac.com, Journal of Gluten Sensitivity is Celiac.com's quarterly celiac disease newsletter that is available in print or online.

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