<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss version="2.0">
<channel><title><![CDATA[Celiac Disease & Gluten-free Diet Information at Celiac.com - Comments for article: Is Celiac the World's Greatest Disease?]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com</link><description /><language>en-us</language><copyright><![CDATA[http://www.celiac.com]]></copyright><generator>N/A</generator><webMaster>scott@celiac.com</webMaster><lastBuildDate>Thu, 23 May 2013 03:54:12 PDT</lastBuildDate><ttl>20</ttl><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #1]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14021</link><description><![CDATA[Thank you for letting the celiac community know about Maskell's article.  What an offensive idea.  Those of us with celiac disease don't find it "great."  The disease destroys our bodies and often our minds.  Doctors tout a gluten-free diet as a cure, but many of us have continuing symptoms because we have developed intolerances to additional foods, because food manufacturers and restaurants don't clearly label food that contains gluten, and because cross contamination is almost impossible to avoid.  Also, it can be difficult to get all of the nutrients you need on a gluten free diet.  

Yes, the medical profession and society in general need more education about nutrition.  But Mr. Maskell, please don't trivialize celiac disease by praising it as a wonderful way to educate people about nutrition.  It's a serious, life-altering disease.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Laura at 9:49 am, Wed 9th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Laura)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 09 Jan 2013 09:49:04 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14021</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #2 (Reply to Comment #1)]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14050</link><description><![CDATA[Couldn't have said it any better, I agree completely with your response!<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Sue at 3:56 am, Mon 14th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Sue)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 Jan 2013 03:56:59 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14050</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #3 (Reply to Comment #1)]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14076</link><description><![CDATA[I agree, Laura. Celiac disease is not cured by a pill, thus there is no money to be made from pharmaceutical companies.  My doctor actually told me when I was first diagnosed, "You are lucky that you have celiac, it's the easiest disease," and just handed me a pamphlet and said to avoid gluten.  I have been following the diet religiously and I am now ready for my 5th endoscopy; I have had so many complications from this.  It effects not only your body but your emotional well being.  <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Margaret at 12:21 pm, Tue 15th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Margaret)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:21:30 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14076</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #4]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14036</link><description><![CDATA[I completely agree!  Knowing I have celiac disease has changed my life!  I view food as my fuel for energy, my healing agent for inflammation and pain, and my escape route from drugs and an inept medical system.  It gives me power! I have always tried to do what was right for myself and lots of what I had been told was wrong!  It's a battle in a culture that is designed to destroy us, but knowledge is power and I thank God every day for this knowledge.  The Bible says "My people perish for lack of knowledge," and our current health status in the US proves that.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Robyn Bray at 2:38 pm, Thu 10th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Robyn Bray)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:38:42 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14036</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #5]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14052</link><description><![CDATA[I have Celiac and I'm allergic to corn, sulfites and more. Many gluten-free foods contain those allergens, and are often not labeled. Food allergies are also controlled by diets that avoid those allergens. Much like celiacs who have to avoid gluten containing foods. Doctors tend to ignore food related illnesses, in favor of treating people with costly drugs or surgery. There is no money in telling people to avoid gluten or food allergens. Most doctors wont even look for them, so people suffer for years, without knowing what is really wrong with them. The medical establishment is not going to change, just because the spotlight is being shown on celiac. And people will still not be properly treated with diet, instead of useless drugs.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Donnie at 5:50 am, Mon 14th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Donnie)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 Jan 2013 05:50:09 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14052</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #6]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14054</link><description><![CDATA[In my opinion, anyone (including myself) with celiac disease should feel blessed that we can control our own destiny through elimination and control of what we ingest.   Often people will say to me, "I feel sorry for you".  My reply is, "It could be a lot worse," and that is the truth.  I could be like one of my friends who has terrible MS or another who has cancer.   They cannot get better, and feel better, by denying themselves food that they probably didn't need anyway.   I was diagnosed in 2004 and have never intentionally ingested gluten since then.    In retrospect, to call celiac disease "great," isn't so far off considering the alternatives.   Just remember, food is eat to live, not live to eat.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Liz at 7:44 am, Mon 14th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Liz)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 Jan 2013 07:44:26 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14054</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #7 (Reply to Comment #6)]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14442</link><description><![CDATA[What a great attitude!<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Martha at 1:42 pm, Tue 29th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Martha)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:42:01 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14442</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #8]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14057</link><description><![CDATA[Awakening people and getting them to see the truth sometimes means using one disease in order to open the eyes of many. 

If celiac disease, whose only "cure" is to forego gluten/eat a healthier diet, is the catalyst that will get people to realize that nutrition/food is one of the main causes for our current issue with these numerous chronic diseases we currently face, then perhaps that is the way we need to move forward. 

Get people to realize that a bad diet, nutrient deficient food, manmade/factory made food, processed/fast foods, pesticide/chemicals/dyes/artificial flavorings/artificial sugars, MSG/Aspartame ALL CONTRIBUTE to poor health and their chronic disease. 

Once a mind is opened up and people start seriously seeing, looking at, questioning, contemplating, and researching where their food comes from and why/how poor food choices affect the body/give a person this particular dis-ease--then and only then will we see a huge groundswelling, outpouring of protest and people who will demand that our food system is fixed. 

I am all for using any means necessary to get the uninformed, sleeping sheeple to wake up and realize exactly what denatured and denutritioned foods do to the body; they make them sick.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by ACurtis at 10:46 am, Mon 14th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (ACurtis)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:46:11 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14057</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #9]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14058</link><description><![CDATA[There is no disease that is "great" and celiac is definitely not great in any way!!!!!! I agree, Laura, that is offensive. Celiac has actually turned my life from great to terrible! <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Michelle at 12:11 pm, Mon 14th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Michelle)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:11:26 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14058</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #10]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14059</link><description><![CDATA[I found this article very interesting. What an unusual, and yet so obvious way to look at celiac disease. Mr. Maskell makes a good point. Doctors are far too quick to diagnose and push pills. If doctors and patients alike spent more time trying to heal their bodies and solve the problems, instead of just masking them, imagine the change we could make to our health as a society. When I found out I had celiac disease, after eight and a half months of living off gravel and pepto bismol, I was thrilled! To be able to fix my body and finally feel good again, just by changing what I eat... It truly is a blessing to know I have the power to change my life. <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Elizabeth at 12:32 pm, Mon 14th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Elizabeth)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:32:50 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14059</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #11]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14061</link><description><![CDATA[Some of you are right our disease is not great however, we can completly control it on our own. No 6 month blood draws or treatments or medications. If looking at us helps others be more aware of what they are eating good for them. I feel blessed to have such a problem I can manage on my own.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Cortnie at 2:20 pm, Mon 14th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Cortnie)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:20:41 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14061</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #12]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14062</link><description><![CDATA[While Dr. Maskell makes an interesting point, I sure don't think of my illness as great. I was misdiagnosed throughout my life, tested for everything imaginable, given pills that did nothing to cure me (but probably created other problems) and I was treated by many doctors as if my symptoms were all in my head. My life changed when one astute physician determined that the problem was gluten. I am still bitterly angry that food companies continue to use wheat as a filler and that our wheat crops have been genetically modified to contain more gluten than is natural. I'd love to see food companies take greater responsibility for the health of their customers by eliminating unnecessary gluten, and I'd like to see pharmaceutical companies and doctors stop pushing pills on us before figuring out what the real problems are. <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Deborah at 3:50 pm, Mon 14th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Deborah)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:50:45 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14062</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #13]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14064</link><description><![CDATA[While I understand Mr. Maskell's premise that this is a unique disease because it is the only one with a purely dietary solution, calling it the world's GREATEST disease is a travesty to those of us who suffer from its debilitating effects. I wasn't diagnosed until I was in my 50's, although shortly after my birth until I was 4 or 5 I was classified as a "failure to thrive." I also had two miscarriages, and both my surviving children were premature. It was only after I developed severe neurological symptoms that mimicked MS that I turned to an alternative doctor and was correctly diagnosed. Unfortunately my diagnoses came too late to help my mother who died two years ago of colon cancer and complications from a stroke. I'm sure if she'd been correctly tested when she was younger many of her health problems could have been averted.  

The most frustrating thing about celiac disease is the misnomer of a gluten free diet (most people have no idea what is in their food) and the social isolation it causes. Eating in a restaurant is a crap shoot, and having to turn down food from friends and family due to cross contamination is never well received, even by the most caring and understanding individuals. Those who don't care about you think you're just a whiner. Still, I'm glad I have regained a large part of my health and will have a chance at a few more years with my family. But please let Mr. Maskell know, if a pill IS ever invented that can counter the impact of gluten on my life, I'll be first in line to use it.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Debi at 4:28 pm, Mon 14th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Debi)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:28:50 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14064</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #14]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14065</link><description><![CDATA[I'm sure he would feel differently if he had celiac disease. I don't find it great at all. Yes it is a good thing to be able to help yourself by being forced to eat better, but that doesn't make it all better. I got pretty depressed when I was diagnosed. I still get sad at times. It is a complete life altering situation.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Stacie at 4:31 pm, Mon 14th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Stacie)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:31:40 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14065</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #15]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14067</link><description><![CDATA[No complaints about the quality of the writing, but I, too, find the idea that celiac disease is "great" very offensive.  I'm 54 and apparently have had it my entire life, but only got diagnosed a few weeks ago.  Who knows what damage it has done to me?  My 3 young adult children all have symptoms as well and have gone gluten-free.

It is expensive to buy the gluten-free baked products.  It's difficult to eat with other people or in restaurants.  Having food allergies as well, I find the recipes that are gluten-free are also full of yummy herbs, spices and other foods that I cannot eat.  Is that great?  I'm not feeling it.

And lastly, by saying that people can completely control this, the author by default lays the blame squarely on the person with celiac disease if they have continued symptoms or cannot get it under control.  I'm diligent about trying to be 100% gluten-free, but last week I inadvertently used a can of broth that had gluten in it.  If I'd bought the same brand, same broth in a box instead of the can, it would've been gluten-free.  But not having an encyclopediac memory (hello brain fog) I bought the wrong broth.  The response when I called the manufacturer was that they hadn't labeled it as gluten-free.  True, but they also didn't label their gluten-free brands as gluten-free either.  Nor did they add "contains gluten" to any of their products.  Some contain gluten, some don't.  No labeling to help us out in the stores.

My genes are not my fault.  If I can't get my antibodies to zero, it's not for lack of effort, commitment or education.  It's just difficult and that author's implication that it's easy to do is insensitive.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Julie at 8:41 pm, Mon 14th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Julie)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:41:14 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14067</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #16]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14068</link><description><![CDATA[Maskell's suggestion that Celiac is "the greatest disease in the world" is not offensive; there is much truth to what he says. At least you don't have to medicate yourself daily. It does, though, require more effort on your part to be more personally involved in your diet. <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Karen at 9:00 pm, Mon 14th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Karen)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:00:42 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14068</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #17]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14094</link><description><![CDATA[While it is true that having celiac disease makes you very conscious of your diet, it is also one of the most difficult things I have ever tackled.  It is isolating because it is so difficult to partiicpate even in family dinners.  Being able to safely eat out is a nightmare.  Even those restaurants that advertise a gluten-free menu put caveats about how they cannot be responsible for cross contamination.   

It is a life altering diagnosis just as any other serious illness but because "you only need to avoid gluten" it is not taken with the same degree of seriousness.  

Education that begins with the medical community would help.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Linda at 6:26 am, Thu 17th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Linda)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 17 Jan 2013 06:26:54 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14094</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #18]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14100</link><description><![CDATA[I have been diagnosed with celiac disease. It has changed my life entirely. I don't think it is such a great thing to have. Look at the other things we face. It is very hard when you have a family that does not have it and you have to cook the things for them, but still you have to sit and watch them eat the things you love. I hate this disease.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Clarla at 7:37 pm, Thu 17th Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Clarla)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:37:56 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14100</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #19]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14194</link><description><![CDATA[Given all the horrible diseases one could get, I think it's a great disease.  All you have to do is stop eating something.  How difficult is that, really?  We have to accept our illness and make the best of it with dignity and grace.  I've had it for 12 years.  We have it 10 times better now than we did then. <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Kelly at 7:39 pm, Mon 21st Jan 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Kelly)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:39:02 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23156/1/Is-Celiac-the-Worlds-Greatest-Disease/Page1.html#Comment14194</guid></item></channel></rss>