Potential Cure Getting Closer?

[Ryan T]

Hello everyone. I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and I saw this on the news recently. Went and got the article from Google. You may find it quite interesting. Just so you know U of A is the University of Alberta located in Edmonton.

Ryan

U of A study discovers potential treatment pill for celiac sufferers

Patricia Skagen-Emokpae, News Writer

Thanks to the work of Hoon Sunwoo, a researcher in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Alberta, those coping with celiac disease may soon find themselves able to live symptom-free.

The estimated one in 133 Canadians suffering from celiac disease, often referred to as

[skymgirl]

I don't know...perhaps I'm in the minority here but I couldn't see myself jumping on board for this. I've worked in the pharma industry, and actually left it because I couldn't handle the deceptive practices they engage in. I would be very wary of accepting a solution that involves dependancy on the pharma industry. Also, there are insurance/financial consequences to this that could become a hindrance - imagine being declined medical insurance because of celiac disease and your dependence on this medication? There are celiacs who have a hard enough time having insurance cover tests, or nutritionists; I fear that being dependent on a medication could make the ramifications of a diagnoses even harder then they already are.

We have a cure - the gluten-free diet. Yes it's hard to have celiac disease, and I suppose being able to pop a pill to enjoy a pizza would be lovely every now and then, but the bigger picture of this seems to hold more potential harm then good. JMO, of course.

[Lisa16]

I wonder how this idea differs from the gluteneze (sp?) enzymes that you can buy in health food stores? It is the same theory. I have not found those pills to be useful at all-- I tried taking them after getting glutened and they really didn't help.

You are supposed to take them before you eat the gluten, but I don't trust them enough to even try that.

Anybody have experience with these?

[ang1e0251]

I have been through the Lactaid thing with milk and didn't do well with it. I would be wary of any drug that would claim this. I think, for me, the diet works and I do not want to put food in my body that is a poison to me. Even though they claim their drug can work, I can't see it work. I don't want to wake up one day with cancer or something just as killing because the drug company fouled up, covered up or lied up. Statins anyone?

[chasbari]

Don't sign me up for it. I have a hard time believing it would work without long term complications and I wouldn't want to be the one they have to figure out those complications on. It already took four decades for them to figure out I have this in the first place. No thanks!

Chuck

[Lisa]

I wouldn't count your chickens before they are hatched. Or put all you eggs in one basket.

No, I don't have much faith...nope.

[Lisa16]

So you don't think it's the goose that laid the golden egg?

[Lisa]

So you don't think it's the goose that laid the golden egg?

Nope, I wouldn't cross the road

(my attempts at some humor, is not meant to disrespect anyone, especially Ryan who first posted this information. It's always good to know what's going on around us. Thank you Ryan for posting.)

[rinne]

I don't know...perhaps I'm in the minority here but I couldn't see myself jumping on board for this. I've worked in the pharma industry, and actually left it because I couldn't handle the deceptive practices they engage in. I would be very wary of accepting a solution that involves dependancy on the pharma industry. Also, there are insurance/financial consequences to this that could become a hindrance - imagine being declined medical insurance because of celiac disease and your dependence on this medication? There are celiacs who have a hard enough time having insurance cover tests, or nutritionists; I fear that being dependent on a medication could make the ramifications of a diagnoses even harder then they already are.

...

Well said, thank you.

I betcha within a few years Celiac will be one in ten and a multi-billion dollar industry, can anyone say Type 2 Diabetes.

[Gemini]

Well said, thank you.

I betcha within a few years Celiac will be one in ten and a multi-billion dollar industry, can anyone say Type 2 Diabetes.

It is so encouraging to see Celiacs who would reject a pharmacological, fake cure! However, I will add my thanks to Ryan who posted this info

as it's always good to remain informed, even if it's for something I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. How could it work? Once gluten enters the gut, the reaction starts so even if gluten could bind to a substance and pass from the body, it's still in the gut. Maybe I'm being ignorant here but it just seems ridiculous. NO thanks.

As for Type 2 diabetes, I always say that the pill they prescribe for it is only for diabetics who cheat regularly. There are a number of Type 2's here at work and they all take their little pill and then go get a donut for break time. Then they complain that their blood sugar is not as low as it should be. I just don't get it......

[CeliacMom2008]

I wouldn't want my son taking something regularly, but I had read another article on a pill from Alvine Pharm. that sounds similar and my first thought was "Yay! A back up plan!" I think it would be nice to have a pill that could be taken when CC was an issue. For example...my son's (who is 9 mind you) wedding reception. I would still want a gluten-free cake and meal, but wouldn't it be nice if he could also take something that would protect him if there was CC. Who wants to be in the bathroom on their wedding night?!? Or even prom night or whatever. Like I said, I would never want him to be popping pills so he could down a sandwich from Panera but there might be times when it would be nice as a backup plan.

I agree that we don't know enough about long term uses of any drugs and they should be used as a last course of treatment. Our society is too geared around easy fixes. Why actually take care of your body when you can pop a pill to counteract the bad you do?!?! Heaven forbid you exercise, eat right (whatever "right" is for your body) and take care of the body God gave! Not that there are very needed and good drugs out there, but there are a lot of others that we could do without if we just tried a little.

[ravenwoodglass]

As for Type 2 diabetes, I always say that the pill they prescribe for it is only for diabetics who cheat regularly. There are a number of Type 2's here at work and they all take their little pill and then go get a donut for break time. Then they complain that their blood sugar is not as low as it should be. I just don't get it......

That may be because the Diabetic educator actually told them to do it. When I was diagnosed I was handed a script and told I could eat just like I was eating just use artificial sugar and take the pill. When I asked what dietary changes I could make she just repeated I didn't need to make any, just take the pill. I was also told I needed to only check my BS in the morning. No other times. I spent a month eating and checking repeatedly, cut out high fructose corn syrup and decreased my carb intake and that quickly brought it under control. And kept it that way.

Unfortunately I am afraid when they do get a 'pill' or some engineered 'treatment' that the same thing will happen to celiacs. I for one will never take something to enable me to eat a substance that to my body is poison. Maybe it will take care of tummy ills, we have so much for that already why not add something else. Perhaps if there was less symptom control available I would not have gotten to the point I did. I questioned for 15 years how just taking an antidiarrheal was actually benefiting me other than to enable me to get through the day without a toilet on my back. Sure it helped that symptom but it sure didn't stop the progression of my disease.

[Gemini]

That may be because the Diabetic educator actually told them to do it. When I was diagnosed I was handed a script and told I could eat just like I was eating just use artificial sugar and take the pill. When I asked what dietary changes I could make she just repeated I didn't need to make any, just take the pill. I was also told I needed to only check my BS in the morning. No other times. I spent a month eating and checking repeatedly, cut out high fructose corn syrup and decreased my carb intake and that quickly brought it under control. And kept it that way.

Unfortunately I am afraid when they do get a 'pill' or some engineered 'treatment' that the same thing will happen to celiacs. I for one will never take something to enable me to eat a substance that to my body is poison. Maybe it will take care of tummy ills, we have so much for that already why not add something else. Perhaps if there was less symptom control available I would not have gotten to the point I did. I questioned for 15 years how just taking an antidiarrheal was actually benefiting me other than to enable me to get through the day without a toilet on my back. Sure it helped that symptom but it sure didn't stop the progression of my disease.

I had no idea that this was the "new" information being handed to diabetics! HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!! To even think that a diabetic would be told to eat what they want, as long as they take the pill is just plain stupid and grounds for malpractice, as far as I am concerned. My brother is a Type 1, who I STRONGLY believe also has celiac disease because of the diabetes and his symptoms over many years, was told by the docs he does not have it so he liked that idea better than mine. His health is in the toilet and his kidneys are almost gone at the tender age of 54 but he refuses to see the light. I guess this is what people WANT to hear as many have emotional ties to what they eat. I guess it boils down to those who just want to exist with mediocre quality of life and those who actually want a life and strive hard to make it as good as possible. Thanks for setting me straight on that!

[valeriek]

Sign me up. I just want to be able to eat like a normal person. How soon until this is coming to the states? Thanks to who ever wrote this

[silk]

Count me out!

I love the double-speak in their description of the pill 'Symptom free'. Do you think any of the people responsible for developing this medication would go out on a limb and say that the pill would ACTUALLY prevent damage to the intestines? Probably not. All of us here know only too well that the term 'symptom free' does not mean that the risk to your health, immediate and long-term, is not present. How many Celiacs the world over have not been diagnosed because they ARE symptom free? And do you suppose any of those responsible for this medication would accept a pill from us that prevents "symptoms" when ingesting lye and would then go on to ingest the lye just to SEE if it worked. I seriously doubt it and in essence that is what they are asking us to do by 'trying' the medication.

It is so sad that the people/professions that we put our trust in, by necessity, can be so responsible for doing such harm to the very people they are suppose to care for. How do you teach a diabetic about being responsible for their own health and caring for their body when they are told that it's okay to 'cheat'. Eventually that little pill will no longer be effective and those people will then have to take injections to control their blood sugar. And don't even get me started on the usage of the term 'borderline diabetic'. If you aren't, fine. If you are even borderline, you are and better darned well behave as though you are BEFORE medication becomes necessary.

I think most of us here have had enough experience with the health care profession to know that we need to be our own best advocates and that means we should not blindly depend that someone in the medical field is giving us the actual facts and not just 'guessing'.

To me, that is exactly why this website has been so invaluable because there is nothing quite as believable as the information that come's straight from the horse's (Celiacs) mouth.

[Lisa]

Sign me up. I just want to be able to eat like a normal person. How soon until this is coming to the states? Thanks to who ever wrote this

I eat like a normal person, but without gluten. You'll get there too Valerie.

[maile]

^

l Well said! as were most of the responses..... instead of a pill, I'd rather see more accurate testing methods

l so there'd be greater clarity.....not necessarily for those that have had a positive dietary response and know gluten is an issue, but for the benefit of both those that doubt them and society in general

[celiaclisa]

I simply cannot believe how ignorant most of you are? To have such disbelief in a medical break through completely bewilders me!? My first assumption is most of you are likely American citizens where medical benefits are greatly limited and therefore cause ignorance? ....Additionally, since when did any of you graduate med school... I'm afraid i am one that is strongly in favor of this cure and thank Ryan for posting this. And yes when it is released to the public, i will be dinning out with my family in restaurants and traveling the world eating as i please and not worrying about the consequences, the way life should be lived. Besides, every drug before it is released to the public must go though a mandatory human trial which usually must last a minimum of 2 years.

I would also like to mention i saw this medical breakthrough on television as it made National News...

I say its time for a little optimism, your stomachs will thank you for it

I would also like to add that i don't have any personal problems with Americans, just with there health care system, as it tends to cause a lot of Americans ignorance due to a lack of proper health care.

[Blueyedtiger]

I for one will definitely take the pill at least on special or rare occassions. I'm not really having any trouble with the gluten free diet but it would be nice not to have to worry when traveling or dining out.

As for the issue with Lactaid, I know quite a few people taking Lactaid and they seem to have no problems when taken before eating.

[Lisa]

I can "feel" the flurry of posts coming in as I write.

Celiaclisa,

Whether or not you share an opinion posted, other opinions are treated with respect here. This is Board Rule #1. Even with translated English, I would urge you to choose your words is bit more carefully.

Thanks you.

[rinne]

What if gluten is just poison to everyone?

What if diabetes, arthritis, fibro, crohn's, ulcerative colitis, autism, not forgetting celiac, all responded positively to a gluten free diet? Would anyone like to add to this list? I'm also thinking anxiety disorders, neurological problems, depression.....

I have no desire to ever eat gluten again and since I have discovered the joys of almond flour baked treats I no longer lack for anything I want.

I'm not from the states.

[ravenwoodglass]

I simply cannot believe how ignorant most of you are? To have such disbelief in a medical break through completely bewilders me!? My first assumption is most of you are likely American citizens where medical benefits are greatly limited and therefore cause ignorance? ....Additionally, since when did any of you graduate med school...

Medical benefits are hardly limited here, testing and knowledge of celiac yes but medical benefits not at all. I don't know where you are from but the US may be pharmacopic but we hardly lack for medical care.

As to the assumption that no one here has any medical education or a scientific background, well you might be surprised. This is your first post here, before you make assumptions about the knowledge level of the population on this board you should get a bit better acquainted.

[skymgirl]

I simply cannot believe how ignorant most of you are? To have such disbelief in a medical break through completely bewilders me!? My first assumption is most of you are likely American citizens where medical benefits are greatly limited and therefore cause ignorance? ....Additionally, since when did any of you graduate med school... I'm afraid i am one that is strongly in favor of this cure and thank Ryan for posting this. And yes when it is released to the public, i will be dinning out with my family in restaurants and traveling the world eating as i please and not worrying about the consequences, the way life should be lived. Besides, every drug before it is released to the public must go though a mandatory human trial which usually must last a minimum of 2 years.

I would also like to mention i saw this medical breakthrough on television as it made National News...

I say its time for a little optimism, your stomachs will thank you for it

I would also like to add that i don't have any personal problems with Americans, just with there health care system, as it tends to cause a lot of Americans ignorance due to a lack of proper health care.

I think before you make a blanket statement about people's ignorance you should have a little practical understanding of some of the practices of the pharmaceutical industry. I have worked for companies (medical eduction companies) that were paid millions of dollars to teach doctors how to prescribe unnecessary, possibly harmful, or extraordinarily expensive drugs to their patient base. Seeing companies operating for the sole purpose of lining their pockets rather then with the best interests of patients can make one jaded to the pharma industry, I left my position for an entirely different industry because of it. Yes, I'll take a medication if I needed it to stay alive, this medication would not be one of those. I am not distrustful of all doctors or the FDA, but I absolutely question them. I'll question them endlessly, because I won't blindly follow the fruits of an industry so intimately tied to the financial sector.

Also, your statement of "every drug needs to have a mandatory human trial..." is a bit too simplistic to accept. Explain that to those who took Vioxx, Zelnorm, or many of the other drugs recalled from the market due to deadly side effects. Medications have been brought to market and recalled. People have died because of those medications, it's not something to take lightly.

I find many people throw "ignorance" at those who don't share their viewpoint. Critical thinking is not at all ignorant! It's simple to be ignorant (it's bliss!), it's harder to evaluate ideas presented to you; and after examining your own thoughts, biases, and "gut feelings" (no pun intended!) come to a conclusion. Which appears to be what most of us who posted that we wouldn't be interested did. Please don't insult my intelligence by calling me ignorant.

[sbj]

I simply cannot believe how ignorant most of you are? To have such disbelief in a medical break through completely bewilders me!? ....Additionally, since when did any of you graduate med school... Besides, every drug before it is released to the public must go though a mandatory human trial which usually must last a minimum of 2 years....I say its time for a little optimism, your stomachs will thank you for it

Celiaclisa: I can sympathize with some of your points but can't agree with your tone. Please try not to get upset with those who disagree.

You will find that this forum has a decidedly anti-medical profession bent; there's simply no denying it as any quick search will prove. We have many here who do not agree with any invasive testing, or that blood/genetic tests mean anything at all, or that vaccines are safe, or that any medicines approved by the FDA are safe; many believe that their doctors are only in it for the money and that the FDA is a corrupt organization in the pocket of the big pharmaceutical companies. The list goes on . . .

They might be right - I don't know - but you should probably know all of this before you start posting and riling people up! Ultimately we are all here to learn and to help so please keep that in mind.

[ang1e0251]

I would have to say that I would like to see a much better track record of pharmaceuticals from the last 30 years to have complete faith in them. Maybe some folks had the good care to be diagnosed early in there health journey. Those of us who suffered long and have long lasting effects can't be so cavalier about our bodies.