Celiac.com 04/29/2010 - May is designated as National Celiac Awareness Month. As such, I thought it would be a great opportunity to explore the history of celiac disease. Most people think of celiac disease as a modern day ailment, which predominantly affects  those of European descent and in Westernized societies. However in my research, I found that the best place to start when referencing the history of celiac disease, is actually the beginning of humans.

In the beginning of humans, known as the Neolithic Period,  humans were hunters and gatherers and primarily survived on fruits, nuts, and meat when available. During the Neolithic Period,  humans evolved and began cultivating plants which quickly led to the agricultural revolution.

With the agricultural revolution came a myriad of food antigens, such as dairy, eggs and processed grains. It was during this time that celiac disease was born. Some 8,000 years after making its debut, celiac was identified and named by a Greek physician known as Aretaeus of Cappadocia.

In the first century A.D.,  Aretaeus documented information about, “The Coeliac Affection.” He named celiac disease, “koiliakos” derived from the Greek word for “abdomen”. In his descriptions of celiac Aretaeus stated, “If the stomach be  irretentive  of food and if it pass through undigested and crude, and nothing ascends into the body, we call such persons coeliacs”.  While a name had been given to the disease, people with celiac still had no idea how to heal from the condition, and were still vastly unaware of the cause for their ailments.

It wasn't until the early 19th Century that Dr. Mathew Baillie published his observations on celiac disease which he sited as, 'chronic diarrheal disorder causing malnutrition and characterized by a gas-distended abdomen'. In his observations, Dr. Baillie documented that some of his patients appeared to benefit from eating only rice.

However important Dr. Baillie's findings were, they still went largely unnoticed by the medical community until 75 years later when an English doctor known as Dr. Samuel Gee, came into the scene. In 1888  Dr. Gee was working for the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in the United Kingdom when he demonstrated a set of clinical trials performed on children and adults with celiac disease. Dr. Gee was quoted as saying, “To regulate the food is the main part of treatment. The allowance of farinaceous foods must be small, but if the patient can be cured at all, it must be by means of diet.” As an example he sited a very sick child that was fed the best Dutch mussels every day during mussel season. The child thrived during mussel season, but as soon as the season was over, the child regressed and died before the next mussel season.

In the 1920's, Sidney Hass presented the “Banana diet”. Sydney successfully treated 8 out of 10 children suffering with celiac disease using the banana diet. He claimed to have cured the 8 children that were on the banana diet, but the other 2 children not on the banana diet, died. The banana diet included the elimination of all bread, crackers, potatoes and cereals and for several decades, the banana diet was the only cure for celiac disease.

Another important marker in the history of celiac disease were the findings by Dutch pediatrician, Dr. Willem Karel Dicke. In 1953 Dr. Dicke wrote his doctoral thesis for the University of Utrecht based on  his observations that the ingestion of wheat proteins specifically, and not carbohydrates in general, were the cause of celiac disease. He was able to exemplify his findings based on bread shortages in the Netherlands during World War II. During the  bread shortages, he found that the health of children with celiac improved tremendously. However, when the allied planes began dropping bread to the Netherlands, the same children quickly deteriorated.

In the 1960's, it became evident that the best method for testing for celiac disease was to perform a biopsy. However, doctors were urged not to diagnose people as having celiac disease until it was proven that gluten was the cause for the damage. To determine if a patient had celiac disease, a biopsy would be performed to evaluate the damage done to the intestines. The patient would then be put on a gluten-free diet. Another biopsy would then be preformed to determine improvement in the intestines. After improvement the patient would be put back on a gluten diet, and another (3rd) biopsy would be preformed to determine reoccurring damages to the intestine, and thus the presence of celiac disease. This method was used for over 20 years as the best method for testing for celiac disease.

Then in the 1980's studies by Dr. Stefano Guandalini, showed that the presence of  celiac could be found in 95% of celiac cases by performing  a single biopsy.  In 1990 these findings helped create the new guidelines for celiac testing which  were  approved by ESPGHAN (European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology). Also during this time, professionals starting recognizing celiac as an autoimmune disease and also began recognizing  the correlation between gluten sensitivity and other autoimmune diseases.

Here we are now in the year 2010;  thirty years after the medical profession has successfully established the causes, tests and treatments for celiac disease, and thousands of years since celiac first made it's debut. Yet, as far as early diagnosis is concerned, we are still living in the dark ages. In this day and age, knowing what we know about celiac disease, childhood screening for celiac should already be mandatory. It's almost as if, when doctors were told in the 1960's to hold off on celiac diagnosis until they knew undoubtably that  gluten was the cause for damage to intestines, they were never told, 'okay, now it's safe to diagnose for celiac'. Unfortunately, many (if not most) doctors still don't know how to appropriately diagnose patients for celiac disease, and therefor they continue to 'hold off' making celiac diagnoses, or misdiagnose regularly.  Enforcing  mandatory celiac screening in school age children has potential to eliminate the  unnecessary suffering of millions of children and adults worldwide. My dearest hope is that we all get to see mandatory celiac testing in this lifetime.

If you would like more information on “Celiac Awareness Month,” please check out the links below. The following links are trusted sites that also provide suggestions on how you can get involved and contribute to celiac awareness in your community.

• Open Original Shared Link
• Open Original Shared Link

• Agricultural Revolution - celiac disease is born
• 1st Century A.D.- Aretaeus named celiac, “ koiliakos”
• 1st Century A. D.- Aretaeus documented“The Coeliac Affection.”
• 19th Century- Dr. Mathew Baillie published his observations on celiac
• 1888- Dr. Gee established the correlation between celiac and diet
• 1920's - Sydney Hass successfully treated celiac patients with “the banana diet”
• 1953 -  Dr. Willem Karel Dicke confirmed wheat protein to be the cause for celiac disease
• 1960's - Biopsy established as the most accurate test for celiac
• 1980's - Dr. Stefano Guandalini established a single biopsy  test for celiac
• 1990 -  ESPGHAN established new guidelines for celiac biopsy testing
  

• Open Original Shared Link
• Open Original Shared Link

Celiac.com 04/21/2010 - Due to the overwhelming number of ways celiac disease can manifest, it is often misdiagnosed by health care professionals. Celiac disease is also commonly diagnosed later in life, resulting in an  increase in celiac patient's morbidity and mortality. As such, it has been suggested that early screening of celiac disease is an effective way to eliminate misdiagnosis, and  can also minimize symptoms and complications that often manifest as a result of misdiagnosed or undiagnosed celiac disease. 

To determine the cost effectiveness of early screening for celiac disease, a group of researchers at the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem developed a state transition Markov model using information that was collected from previous studies of celiac. The model they used, was geared toward defining the parameters that have the greatest impact on the cost-effectiveness of mass screening for celiac disease. The Markov model examined a celiac disease screening program of  healthy young-adults in the general population compared with no-screening.

The results of the study indicated  a gain of 0.0027 quality-adjusted life years (QALY). The cost effectiveness ratio of screening the young adults, versus no screening for celiac at all was $48,000 per QALY. The variables that had the greatest impact on cost-effectiveness were, the time delay from symptom onset to diagnosis, the strict adherence to a gluten-free diet, and the generality of celiac disease.

This study determined that celiac screening would be cost effective if the time delay to diagnose is longer than 6 years, and adherence to a gluten-free diet is greater than 0.978.  Additionally, the Markov model indicates that mass screening for celiac disease among the young adult general population is associated with improved QALY's and is also a cost effective strategy. However, the authors of the study also state  that shortening the time-delay to diagnosis through heightened education and awareness of health-care professionals, may be a legitimate alternative to celiac screening in general.

Source:Open Original Shared Link

• Open Original Shared Link

Celiac.com 04/15/2010 - Mother's day is right around the corner, and what better way to tell your mom you love her, than to make her  a lovely gluten-free brunch. Even if your mom is a gluten eater, it is still a  perfect opportunity to try out some new gluten-free recipes. Many people with gluten sensitivities are also sensitive to foods other than gluten. That is why for this special day, I am including some gluten-free recipes that are also free of most common allergens.

Making brunch for your mom on Mother's Day doesn't have to be expensive, and a gluten-free brunch isn't hard at all. If you have a recipe that you love, but you don't know how to make it gluten-free, do an Internet search for your favorite dish and add "gluten-free” to the beginning of your search. You will be amazed at how many recipes have already been converted to gluten-free, and are on the Internet to be shared by all.

The following recipes are gluten-free, dairy/casein-free, egg-free, nut-free, corn free, and shell-fish free-actually free of all animal products. Even if you don't need to avoid other allergens, you might find that you like  these gluten free recipes better than you expect.  Although, the following recipes can also be modified to fit your taste buds. So if a recipe calls for non-dairy margarine for example, use butter, or coconut oil if you prefer. Don't hesitate to dig in and get creative!

The following link is for a recipe that I can't wait to try. This basic recipe can be elaborated on, and you can top with the fruit of your choice. This is an excellent idea for brunch, or wrap them up and present them as a gift.

• Vegan Gluten Free Lemon Coconut Cream Scones

 The wonderful thing about the following Tofu Benedict  recipe,  is that it can be modified to suit your taste buds. If you eat meat, you can add gluten-free meat to your Benedict, or anything that you think your mom would enjoy on her special day. It's also a very easy recipe and doesn't take long to prepare.

Gluten-Free Tofu Benedict Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. extra firm tofu
• 1/4 cup distilled apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. Himalyan salt (or table salt)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 Tbsp. gluten-free nondairy butter substitute
• 8 oz. nondairy gluten-free sour cream
• 1 tsp. gluten-free paprika
• 1/2 tsp. gluten-free nutmeg
• Pinch of gluten-free cayenne
• 1 Tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 4 gluten-free  English muffins, toasted (or 8 slices of toast) Gluten-Free English Muffins  
• 8 slices  tomato

Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Drain the tofu, cut it into 8 slices, and arrange it in a single layer in an oiled 9”x13” baking dish.
In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, salt, and olive oil and pour the mixture over the tofu. Bake the tofu for 20 minutes, basting it occasionally and turning it over after 10 minutes. Pour off any excess liquid and bake the tofu for a few more minutes—until it is brown and crispy.
To make the hollandaise sauce, melt the butter substitute  in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the nondairy sour cream, paprika, nutmeg, cayenne, and lemon juice. Make sure that the mixture is heated through but don’t allow it to boil.
Top each English muffin half with a slice of tofu, tomato slice, and a generous spoonful of hollandaise sauce to taste.
Serve immediately & Enjoy!

Gluten-Free Gift Baskets

Giving your mom a thoughtful Mother's Day gift doesn't have to be expensive. Gift baskets come in all shapes and sizes, so you don't have to spend a fortune to show your mom how much you love her.

*Tip: To save money, make your own gluten-free gift basket. Purchase an inexpensive basket at your local craft store, fill it up with gluten-free goodies, wrap it with cellophane and a pretty bow and in no time, you have a customized gluten-free gift basket made especially for your mom.

Fill your gluten-free gift basket up with gluten-free goodies; below are some ideas.

• Gluten-Free Desserts
• Gluten-Free Cookies
• Gluten-Free Crackers
• Gluten-Free Candy
• Gluten-Free Personal Care, Lotions etc.

If your mom likes to cook, what better way to pamper her, than to give her the gift that keeps on giving. Below is a link of gluten-free cookbooks. Cookbooks also make a wonderful addition to your gift basket.

• Cookbooks

Don't forget the chocolate! No gift basket is complete without chocolate and most moms enjoy a little chocolate on occasion. The following is a list of gluten-free chocolate treats. You will find everything from chocolate cakes and cookies, to chocolate mousse and chocolate chips. So even if you don't have time to bake her a cake, you can still give your mom some yummy gluten-free chocolate treats to enjoy on  Mother's Day.

• Gluten-Free Chocolate

Keep your mom in style this Spring. Our celiac awareness shirts are a welcome addition to any gift basket or even by themselves.

• Celiac Awareness Shirts

What do you get for the gluten-free mom that has everything? Try a giftvoucher for the Gluten Free Mall. Vouchers can accommodate any budgetand they also make an excellent last minute gift. So this year, thereis no excuse for not giving your mom something nice for  Mother's Day.

• Gluten-Free Gift Vouchers

Mother's Day Ideas:

• Make gluten-free brunch
• Convert your favorite recipes to “gluten-free”
• Make your mom a gluten-free gift basket

Happy Mother's Day!

Celiac.com 04/15/2010 - Ten years ago, I embarked on a life that came with a warning about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet from my naturopathic  practitioner, "it is a great diet, but a hard one." Those were fighting words to someone who has made a lifetime of  "cosmetic" dieting  with tendencies to yo yo back and forth into the obesity zone. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet diet was chosen to relieve pain.

Starting a new weight-loss diet had always been  inviting and exciting. The magic of the initial water weight-loss, the restrictive ruthless regimentation, calorie counting, portion control and forced water consumption were as exciting as hair shirts and beds of nails for religious fanatics. Dieting was my religion, food was like the duplicitous friend who is an enemy at the same time.

The years marched on and my "stuff and starve" lifestyle beat a destructive highway to digestive hell in the form of celiac disease, an illness that could have been caused by any number of things, age, a compromised immune system, a recent illness or maybe even the evil eye. That was ten years ago.

It has turned out that the Specific Carbohydrate Diet is no transient companion to my fork, knife and spoon. It blossomed into a creative and motivating experience, a learning opportunity, a template for sharing, writing and creating recipes and a sometimes tiresome topic at social gatherings (although as we age, health chat is pretty popular).  I have made more friends through the Specific Carbohydrate Diet than at the dog park and have been given the opportunity to help strangers. Food at the good restaurants pales in comparison to the ever innovative pure, tasty, quality meals and dishes I create from the Specific Carbohydrate Diet palette of foods. Excluded are refined sugars, starches and gluten and they are not much missed. After eight years on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, I tried occasional servings of rice  and potatoes and some dark chocolate just to see if I had healed. Sometimes I tolerated these well, sometimes not and mainly lost interest. As for grain, it can remain on that plain in Spain. I want no part of it.

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet has not cured me, and I doubt that it will, but it is an effective dietary management program.

Yes I still get the bloat, the night time rashes, and the irritated bowel and sometimes I still have a very touchy immune system.  It depends on the load at a given time. One thing that is really helpful then is a few days back on the initial introductory portion of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It calms the "Gut Devils" and clears the "Digestive Decks."

If people deal the "pity card" as I describe being on a gastric diet, I ignore it as my diet deals aces and also the "Get Out of Pain Jail" card and of course, to this old dieter, the permanent thrill of the drill.

Celiac.com 03/29/2010 - For many cultures, Easter represents the most important religious feast of the year. In biblical terms, it represents a celebration of Christ being resurrected. Yet, for those of us unable to digest gluten, it is yet another holiday reminding us of all the foods we can't eat.  Many of us that are gluten sensitive, myself included, spend so much time focused on the foods we can't eat, that it's easy to lose sight of all the wonderful foods still available to us. The fact is,  most of our favorite foods are still safe to eat with a little modification of course.

Being gluten-free doesn't mean that you can't enjoy a holiday meal with your family and friends. If you are going to be a guest for the holiday, make sure your host knows about your food sensitivities, and understands how to accommodate your needs. If they can accommodate you-great! If not, make sure to bring your own gluten-free foods to be sure that you don't go hungry, and to avoid the temptation of eating something you might regret later. You may want to consider hosting Easter brunch at your house this year. Cooking the meal yourself assures that your meal will be gluten-free and eliminates the possibility of cross contamination.

Whether you are making Easter brunch or Passover dinner, it's all supposed to be fun. That's why I put together a list of links that are all geared toward making it the best gluten-free Easter ever! The following links are a compilation of gluten-free recipes and prepared foods designed to make your holiday easy and fun. Some of the following links will take you out of  Celiac.com and into another site. You may want to bookmark this list so you can reference it easily as needed. Dig in and enjoy!

Passover wouldn't be complete without matzoh. That's why the first recipe I've included is for gluten-free matzoh. The nice thing about the following matzoh recipe is that it's not only Kosher, it's also gluten, corn, sugar, dairy, and egg free! So even if you have many food restrictions, this is one recipe that is safe for almost everyone. Just add the matzoh to your favorite soup recipe, chicken or mock-chicken and you are ready to celebrate!

• Gluten-Free Matzoh

Of course no Rosh Hashanah  is complete without Challah. The following recipe is gluten-free and has an option to be dairy-free as well.

• Gluten-Free Challah with a Dairy-Free Option

Most meat in its pure form is gluten-free. However, during processing many meats are injected with gluten ingredients. The following links will help you determine which meats are gluten-free. Although, it is always a good idea to contact the manufacturer to verify that their meat is indeed gluten-free.

• Gluten-Free Turkeys

• Gluten-Free Hams

The following are some  links  that will take you to easy and/or already prepared foods for Easter and Passover.

Gluten-Free Breads:

• Gluten-Free Breads
• Gluten-Free Frozen Bread & Rolls
• Gluten-Free Baking Ingredients

Gluten-Free Gravy:

• Easy Gluten-free Gravy Mixes

Gluten-Free Desserts:

• Linzertorte
• Frozen Desserts
• Frozen Pies

Easter Candy:
It is so tempting to sample all of the yummy Easter candy out there, but don't forget that many Easter Candies are NOT gluten-free. During Passover and Easter, there are so many opportunities to go to parties with friends and family where there is a plethora of Easter snacks and candy; even office events will put your sweet tooth to the test. I recommend avoiding the temptation to sample Easter candy that may contain gluten, by bringing your own gluten-free candy to social events. Bringing gluten-free Easter candy to share with others will make it easier on you when it comes to sampling, because you can sample the candy you brought while also sharing with others. Informing your friends of your gluten-free candy requirements is also an option, it  might even make a good  conversation topic. The following is a list of gluten-free Easter candy. Please remember to check with the manufacturer if you have any questions.

• Gluten-free Candy
• Easter Candy Safe/Unsafe List

As a newbie to the gluten-free community, I also have many other dietary restrictions. That's why finding gluten-free food is only half the battle for me. I also need to find food that fits all my other dietary requirements. Here is a site that I came across while looking for gluten-free, vegan recipes. These recipes all sound really amazing and I can't wait to try as many as possible! I must emphasize however, that I could not possibly try all of these recipes. So it is up to you to try the recipes that sound good to you and decide for yourself if you like them or not. I know first-hand how frustrating it is to spend time and money trying out a new, yummy sounding recipe, only to follow the recipe exactly as it is written, and discover that it tastes so bad I end up going to bed hungry. Rather than going to bed hungry, I recommend trying a few recipes before your holiday meal as a trial run. If you try a recipe before your holiday event, you will  have an opportunity to decide if you like the recipe and to modify the recipe to fit your taste buds if necessary.

• Destiny's Gluten-Free/Vegetarian/Vegan/Other Dietary Alternatives

Gluten-Free Easter Eggs:

The following recipe is great for those with dye sensitivities or anyone looking for a natural, healthy alternative to Easter egg dyes. Most Easter coloring kits require vinegar. Be sure to use gluten-free vinegar.

• Gluten-Free Vinegar

Natural/Food Based Dyes:
Red and Pink- pomegranate juice, raspberries, cherries, cranberries, red grape juice, and beets, red onions. (less boiling or dying produces a pink color)
Orange – carrots, chili powder or paprika
Yellow – turmeric, orange or lemon peels, chamomile tea, celery seed (turmeric does not need to be boiled.)
Brown – coffee, black tea or black walnut shells
Green – spinach or liquid chlorophyll
Blue – blueberries, purple grape juice
Purple – grape juice or blackberries, concentrated grape juice, violet blossoms, and hibiscus tea
Gold - curry powder, yellow delicious apple peels, dill seeds
Deep yellow- soak eggs in turmeric for a long time
Teal- Soak eggs in turmeric solution for 30 minutes and then cabbage soak for 5 seconds.
Bright Blue- Soak eggs in cabbage solution overnight (or just for a long time)
Red/Pink-less boiling or dying produces a pink color

Instructions:
To begin, boil your eggs and when they are cool, store them in your refrigerator until you are ready to dye them. Alternatively, you can boil eggs with dye or cold dip, for 5 seconds up to overnight, and dry on wire wrap.
To make each dye, bring water, vinegar, and color element to a boil, lower the heat, simmer 30 min and strain dye. Please note, you will need a separate base for each primary dye color you make.
The rule of thumb for the dye is to use four cups of chopped fruit, vegetable or plant material to four cups of water. Add two tablespoons of vinegar. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 15 to 30 minutes (depending on how intense you want the colors).

Eggs colored in natural dyes generally have a dull finish and are not glossy. If you want your eggs to look glossy,  rub them with cooking or mineral oil after they dry.

Keep your eggs refrigerated until it's time to hide them or eat them.

Caution: Food safety experts recommend not eating eggs that have been sitting at room temperature for more than two hours.

Gluten-Free Quick-Check:

• Watch out for hidden gluten-ingredients,(caramel color, natural and artificial flavors or colors, etc)
• Keep your hands clean
• Host Easter brunch
• Make sure all of your kitchen equipment is clean and free of gluten contaminates
• Bring gluten-free Easter candy & snacks to share
• If you buy prepared meats, check with the manufacturer to make sure they are gluten-free
• Trust yourself. If you think something might make you sick, don't take any chances

Above all else, have fun!

While celiac disease affects 1 in 133 people, those numbers do not take into account the thousands of other people who are impacted from gluten intolerance and gluten related allergies. Gluten comes in many disguises but can be found primarily in wheat, rye, and barley. Since the Food and Drug Administration has not yet mandated gluten disclosures on labels, many foods are contaminated with hidden gluten. People that suffer from the inability to digest gluten are extremely limited when it comes to dining, and often find themselves eating alone or bringing their own gluten-free food to social events.

Eating a microscopic amount of gluten, for many gluten sensitive sufferers,  frequently leads to varying degrees of sicknesses including, diarrhea, vomiting, rashes, and insomnia. Some people are more sensitive than others, and those most sensitive to gluten cannot eat at many restaurants due to the chance of cross contamination. Much like a peanut allergy, those gluten sensitive can  get sick from eating gluten-free food that was cooked in the same kitchen as gluten food by means of contamination, or simply from receiving a kiss from a loved one that has traces of gluten on their mouth.

With so many unsavory reactions to food, the medical community has been attempting to devise a drug for celiacs that allows them to safely digest gluten. A new drug called Larazotide Acetate, has been called 'revolutionary' to the celiac and gluten sensitive community, and may be what celiacs need to live a more normal life. While it is not a cure, Larazotide Acetate has been proven in clinical trials to greatly reduce the negative reactions celiacs have with gluten. Clinical test patients displayed a decrease  in  intestinal damage, from 50% to 15%, when ingesting gluten after taking Larazotide Acetate.

Larazotide Acetate may very well be the new breakthrough drug of the decade. It offers celiacs and others with gluten sensitivities, the freedom to eat out at restaurants, or go to a friends house for dinner without the physiological and emotional stress that can accrue from worrying about, and getting sick from gluten contaminated food.

Source:

• Open Original Shared Link

Out of the 21 papers that have been published over the last 25 years addressing the issue of celiac and mortality rates, the studies show conflicting results, ranging from a 0.52% (decrease) to 3.9% (increase) in mortality rates for patients with celiac compared to the general population. The reasons for the conflicting results are based on the fact that the papers vary vastly from each other, and while some studies are location based or population based, others are cohort based. So for the sake of this particular study, celiac patient's have been categorized into four different groups: symptomatic celiac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, unrecognized celiac disease and refractory celiac disease. Because these groups of celiac patients differ greatly, it is necessary to analyze their mortality rates individually.

Ten papers in five different countries studied mortality in patients with symptomatic celiac, or celiac symptoms that indicate the presence of celiac disease in a patient. All ten papers on the subject came to the same conclusion, patients with symptomatic celiac disease have been shown to have a increased mortality rate. The primary reason for increased mortality in these particular patients was found to be caused by complications from celiac disease like gastrointestinal malignancies such as, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and small bowel cancer. Other conditions that led to increased mortality for these patients included, autoimmune conditions, ischemic heart disease and violence (including suicide and accidents).

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a gluten agitating blistering of the skin which has frequently been associated with celiac disease. Four studies have been conducted on the mortality rates of celiac patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and found that mortality rates did not increase for them compared to the general public.

Four studies were also conducted to determine the mortality rates of people with unrecognized, and therefore untreated celiac disease. Two of the studies showed no increase in mortality, while the other two (including the United States study) showed a considerable increase in mortality of people with unrecognized celiac disease. The reason for the conflicting evidence can be merited to the difficulty in obtaining non-biased, random subjects for the study.

Refractory celiac disease is known as an inexorable form of celiac disease. Symptoms associated with refractory celiac do not improve with a gluten-free diet. Refractory celiac disease is classified into two types: type I and type II. Type II refractory celiac patients are inclined to develop enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma and have a lower survival rate than type I patients. While the 5 year survival rate for type I patients is between 80%-96%, those with type II refractory celiac only had a 44%-58% chance of survival which dropped to 8% in those patients that developed enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma.

Other studies of mortality rates in celiac patients have indicated that there is a actual amount of gluten that one can exceed which will eventually lead to complications with celiac disease. Thus, if a person continually consumes more gluten than can be processed by their body, usually as a result of malabsorption associated with celiac disease, it is more likely to activate refractory celiac disease and lymphoma in some individuals.

Overall these studies have aided in proving that compared to the general population, the risk of mortality rates are increased for celiac patients. While mortality rates decreased over time starting from the point of celiac diagnosis, mortality rates tended to increase significantly in patients who did not adhere to a strict gluten free diet. Standard mortality rates doubled for patients who were unlikely to stick to a gluten free diet, and for patients that definitely did not follow a strict gluten free diet, the mortality rate was six times higher. Therefore, if you have celiac disease, early diagnosis and strict adherence to a gluten free diet can be a life-saver, and is very likely to extend and improve your quality of life.

Source:

• Biagi, F. & Corazza, G. R. Nat. Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. advance online publication 2 February 2010; doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2010.2

Celiac disease is a disorder in which people suffer intestinal damage when they eat foods made with wheat, rye, or barley.

Over the last five or six decades, rates of celiac disease have increased 400%. Worse still, at least half of kids with celiac disease never get diagnosed.

That means they will continue to eat foods made with wheat, rye, or barley; and that they will suffer persistent symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and behavior problems, along with  intestinal damage, that are perfectly avoidable with a gluten-free diet.

A simple blood test can tell doctors which kids most likely have celiac disease. But doing a blood test on every child is simply not practical. Would it be better to test just the kids who show one or more symptoms common to celiac disease?

To answer that question, doctor Peter Toftedal, MD, of Denmark's Odense University Hospital, created a simple, five item questionnaire to help parents provide information on recurrent abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, constipation, and lack of height and weight gain:

1. Has your child ever suffered from abdominal pain more than twice during the last three months?
2. Has your child ever had diarrhea lasting more than two weeks?
3. Does your child have a tendency to firm and hard stools?
4. Does your child gain enough weight?
5. Does your child gain enough height?

Toftedal's study team conducted a trial of the questionnaire in Denmark's County of Funen. They mailed it to the parents of 9,880 8- and 9-year-olds. Prior to mailing the questionnaire, just 13 children in Funen were known to have celiac disease.

A total of 7,029 parents returned the completed questionnaire, with 2,835 reporting at least one symptom. The research team invited these children for a celiac blood screen. A total of 1,720 children submitted to screening, with 24 showing positive antibodies common with celiac disease.

Additional testing confirmed 14 case of celiac disease among the children of Funen, meaning that only half of the kids with celiac disease had been diagnosed. When you factor in the additional 1,115 parents who did not report for screening, the result might be slightly higher.

Toftedal and colleagues conclude that a number of "preclinical and low-grade symptomatic patients with celiac disease may be identified by their responses to a mailed questionnaire."

Pediatrics, March 2010

Serum samplesfrom the children were analyzed for the presence of IgA anti-tissuetransglutaminase antibodies (tTG). Samples that tested positive fortTG, were then analyzed for IgA anti-endomysium antibodies (EmA).Positive EmA results indicated the presence of celiac in thechildren.

Using 868 boys &1,117 girls ages 5.5 to 9.5, the study measured the positiveserology of the children's weight and height, Body Mass Index (BMI)as well as blood samples from the children to determine theprevalence of celiac disease.

The researchers found that 16 of the 1,985 children tested, had positive EmAantibodies, and were also positive for celiac disease. The resultsfurther indicated that both boys and girls with positive EmAantibodies also showed significant height reduction compared tochildren without the presence of the antibodies. However, only boyswith positive antibodies showed significant weight reduction.

The studyconfirmed that celiac disease is widespread among Jordanschool children. It also concluded that children with celiac diseaseare prone to lower height, weight and BMI compared to children withnegative EmA antibody results.

Sources:

• Open Original Shared Link

State agriculture officials sentsamples of Seelig's bread to a laboratory at the University ofNebraska (FDA facility), where test results confirmed the presence ofgluten in his products. Tests of Seelig's products showed that his“gluten free” breads actually contained more than 5,000 parts ofgluten per million; and for a product to be considered gluten free itmust be less than 20 parts per million. However, Seelig still refusesto cooperate with authorities and provide information about where hisbreads come from. Therefor, a Judge ruled that Seelig cannot sellanymore products until he cooperates with investigators.

Seelig claims his breads have beenrigorously tested for gluten. According to his website-which was shutdown following a court order - it took two years of testing to makehis gluten free bread. He also claims that if there was really glutenin his products, hundreds of complaints would have been filed againsthim.

Investigators say that Seelig is lyingabout his products, and at this point has not provided any evidenceto prove otherwise. In fact, the investigation revealed informationthat Seelig's company, was buying gluten containing bread productsfrom Tribecca Oven Company and repackaging the bread with gluten freelabels. Additionally, according to Brian Long of the agriculturedepartment, Seelig's company is run out of his house on Cardinal LakeDrive in Durham, North Carolina.

Seelig is not new to the court system.In 2001, he spent 4 months in Nebraska prison for several counts offraud. For his current trial, Seelig has been using various stallingmethods in an attempt to delay his trial date, including, claimsthat he has H1N1, was quarantined due to staph infection, had cancertreatment and even a heart attack. Contrary to previous Judge rulings, recent reports indicate that thehearing has now been moved to 2/24/2010, and bail is set at $100,000due to his high flight risk.

Sources:Open Original Shared Link

• Open Original Shared Link
• Open Original Shared Link
• Open Original Shared Link

"Going to restaurants or dinner at a friend's house can pose dangers to a person with celiac disease," says said Dr. Ali Keshavarzian, vice chairman of medicine and gastroenterologist at Rush University Medical Center. "It can really impact a person's quality of life."

For most people, maintaining a gluten-free diet will stop symptoms, heal existing intestinal damage, and prevent further damage, along with potentially preventing numerous associated conditions, such as diabetes. But setting up and sticking to a gluten-free diet can be a challenge.

A team of Gastroenterologists at Rush have designed a new study to determine if mind and body techniques could help people with celiac disease adhere to the very strict diet.

"Eating even a small amount of gluten can damage the small intestine," says Dr. Ali Keshavarzian, vice chairman of medicine and gastroenterologist at Rush. "The damage will occur in anyone with the disease, including people without noticeable symptoms."

Hidden sources of gluten are sometimes additives such as modified food starch, preservatives and stabilizers made with wheat. Also, numerous corn and rice products made in factories that also make wheat products can be contaminated with wheat gluten.

"The purpose of this study is to determine whether participation in one of two mind/body courses can help patients cope with the restricted diet," says Keshavarzian. "It can be very hard and stressful for people with celiac disease to stick to a gluten-free diet."

Healing existing intestinal damage and preventing further damage means that people with celiac disease must go on a lifelong gluten-free diet. Patients must be trained by health professionals on how to understand safe and unsafe ingredient on food labels, and to spot foods containing gluten in order to make safer, more effective choices when grocery shopping or eating out.

People with celiac disease or gluten intolerance usually begin to feel better within days of starting a gluten-free diet.

The small intestine usually heals in three- to six-months in children, but can take several years in adults. A healed intestine means a person now has healthy intestinal villi that can properly absorb nutrients from food into the blood.

Patients enrolled in the study on Celiac disease and mind/body techniques at Rush will be randomly assigned to two course assignments for eight weeks.

To be eligible for the study, patients must be over 18 years of age, have received a diagnosis of celiac disease in the past four weeks or within two weeks of starting a gluten-free diet, and have not previously attempted a gluten-free diet.

Source: Open Original Shared Link

What are the difficulties in this you may ask?
Firstly the lymphatic system drains through the bowels and if the bowels are clogged and constipated the lymph system, which is a major part of the human body’s excretory system, does not function properly.  This means that instead of continuously draining, as it should, the lymph system becomes a long term storage system for the body’s waste matter when confronted with a constipated digestive system, which provides a home and breeding ground for bacteria and perhaps becoming a precursor for infection and many chronic health problems including cancer. Constipation also leads to dry and hard stools which are difficult to pass and may contribute to the development of hemorrhoids or “piles”, as they are commonly known, and possibly longer term issues leading to colon and rectal cancers. Constipation also leads to greatly increased and undesirable residence time for waste matter in the body which solidifies and putrifies in the process possibly contributing to various forms of gastric and bowel cancer.

Other parts of the body’s excretory systems including the sinuses; the lungs and the skin, the body’s largest excretory organ, can also become overloaded if the bowels and lymph system are not functioning correctly. Sinus overload can be reflected in having heavy mucus discharge via a cold or the flu, glandular fever and in nasal, eye and ear infections, from infected, stored mucus. Lung overload may be reflected by mucus discharges associated with a cold or influenza, pleurisy, pneumonia and various other forms of mucus containing fluid which may also become infected by hostile germs and bacteria. Skin overload can be reflected in rashes, eczema, psoriasis, measles, hives, shingles, chicken pox and the like: all symptoms of an acidic body condition and an overloaded elimination or excretory system. If the body cannot dispose of its waste matter by other means, it often resorts to throwing the waste matter out through the skin. Chronic fatigue syndrome is possibly another manifestation of this same issue.

Sadly, the vast majority of the human race, end their lives with all of their excretory organs, lungs and blood circulatory systems overloaded with stored waste matter with significantly shortened life expectancy and diminished quality of life as a result.

None of the latter problems have anything to do with or need to be part of the aging process. For example, I have a very spry, mentally alert 90 year old father, A blood group type, who still works on a daily basis, drives a car, is totally medication free, has no prostrate, heart or cancer problems and has a good head of hair; clear skin, eyes, arteries and lungs. He should be the model of normality. Sadly, he is not typical. How and why? A fairly spartan diet based mainly upon fruit and vegetables with very sparing consumption of meat, dairy products, fried foods, salt, sugar, animal fats, cakes, lollies, convenience foods and alcohol. He has never smoked. He drinks mainly water and fresh juice with fresh citrus juice first thing every morning. He eats slowly and chews his food thoroughly. He never overeats. He remains curious, physically active and engaged with the world. My paternal grandmother, Daisy, was still walking around without the aid of a stick at age 106 – 107 with all her faculties and complaining about all the other “old chooks” in the nursing home on their walking frames etc: many of them 40 years her junior. Adequate sleep and minimizing stress is also critical to maintaining good health.

Most of the chronic health problems facing our community are mainly unnecessary consequences of over indulgence and the accumulations of a lifetime’s bad habits and, in most instances, with a little care these habits are largely avoidable. Fevers and colds are natural processes. They are part of the body’s armoury of natural defense mechanisms for dealing with a cleansing crisis. All too often these and other natural processes are medically suppressed rather than being allowed to run their natural course. They are one of the body’s ways of saying it is overloaded with waste matter and that it needs a chance to deal with this problem. Antibiotics, taken orally, also tend to indiscriminately kill both good and bad gut bacteria often inadvertently disrupting the long term performance of the digestive system to the long term detriment of the patient’s health especially when no restorative probiotics are prescribed as part of the process: which is mainly the case.

How do we avoid these problems? By a host of small, simple and easily implemented strategies over a lifetime: by a little self discipline and the formulation of good eating and nutritional habits which enable our bodies to function effectively, naturally, healthily and sustainably for a lifetime, as they are intended to. Ill health is not our natural state but one we impose upon ourselves, or otherwise, through our dietary and lifestyle choices, both individually and collectively.