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Celiac.com 11/27/2023 - Bread is a staple in many diets worldwide, but people with celiac disease cannot consume traditional wheat-based bread. Additionally, a growing number of people choose gluten-free options due to lifestyle preferences or gluten sensitivity, fueling the market for such products. Pseudocereals like quinoa, amaranth, and brown rice have gained attention as naturally gluten-free alternatives to traditional wheat-based products. In response to the increasing demand for gluten-free products, particularly among individuals with celiac disease, researchers have delved into creating gluten-free sourdough bread with added nutritional benefits. This innovative study, published in the journal Foods, focused on incorporating Moringa oleifera, an unconventional, but health-promoting crop, into the formulation of pseudocereal-based gluten-free bread. The study aimed to evaluate whether enriching gluten-free sourdough bread with Moringa oleifera extract could enhance its nutritional properties. Researchers used pseudocereals—quinoa, amaranth, and brown rice—to create six different gluten-free bread formulations. Three were control breads, each made with one of the pseudocereals, and the other three included Moringa oleifera extract at a 6% concentration in the flour. The formulations were compared against commercially available gluten-free bread on various parameters. The researchers assessed the nutritional composition of the breads, including moisture, protein, fat, fiber, and essential minerals, using standard methods. They also conducted a sensory analysis involving 35 panelists, evaluating attributes such as color, appearance, aroma, texture, taste, general acceptance, and intention to purchase. The findings revealed that the addition of Moringa oleifera significantly increased the nutritional richness of the gluten-free bread. The breads enriched with Moringa exhibited higher protein content, essential amino acids, and essential minerals. Moreover, they demonstrated improved antioxidant capacity and increased levels of soluble dietary fiber, contributing to potential health benefits. Interestingly, the sensory evaluation by the panelists indicated that the novel formulation was acceptable, meeting the criteria for labeling it as a functional food. The study concludes that gluten-free sourdough bread, fortified with pseudocereals and enriched with Moringa oleifera, could be beneficial for individuals with celiac disease, addressing nutritional inadequacies commonly associated with gluten-free diets. Furthermore, the incorporation of Moringa brings forth not only nutritional enhancements, but also potential health-promoting properties to gluten-free bread, making it a suitable option for consumers with and without celiac disease. Read more at news-medical.net

Celiac.com 04/20/2023 - Putting gluten-free policies and processes in writing can help restaurants overcome post-pandemic challenges by saving money, reaching more customers, pleasing more customers, and growing a more thriving business. As restaurant business picks back up, establishments face new struggles, like supply chain issues, rising prices, and staffing shortages. These pressures can cause some to pull back, but addressing gluten-free customers can help take the sting out of that reality. Gluten-free Customers Can be Good for Business Restaurants that can serve consistent gluten-free dishes can earn a premium on many dishes, along with earning repeat business from happy gluten-free customers and their friends and business associates. Meanwhile, cutting corners to reduce costs and accommodate staff shortages can negatively affect customers’ health and trust, and potentially damage the restaurant’s reputation. Instead of eliminating gluten-free menu items or cutting corners on food safety, restaurants can maximize resources by putting processes for preparing and serving gluten-free dishes into writing. Less Errors, More Money, Happier Customers and Staff Written policies not only demonstrate compliance with FDA standards, but also create a standard operating process for employees to follow, which can help to prevent errors, save money, and close any gaps in staff knowledge. Documenting gluten-free processes can be done cheaply and relatively easily with notebooks, posters, or online postings. To do it well though, it is essential to involve appropriate members of staff to weigh in on specific steps, and to conduct ongoing training to accommodate different learning styles among staff members. Consider Asking Experts It's also a good idea to ask people who know a lot about gluten-free food to provide advice on how to prepare and serve it safely. This can be done by inviting support groups or individual customers who eat gluten-free to help you. They can share their needs and concerns, along with what's important to them. Another option is to work with an organization like the Gluten-Free Food Service (GFFS) to help you develop rules and training for your staff. This way, you can be sure that you are following the right procedures and keeping your customers safe. Proper Gluten-Free Procedures Bring Many Benefits Whatever course you choose, proper implementation of gluten-free food prep and service procedures helps to prevent gluten contamination, and to build trust and loyalty with customers who have dietary restrictions, as well as those who prioritize health and wellness. Beyond those benefits, restaurants that demonstrate a commitment to proper handling and preparation of gluten-free dishes, can attract a wider customer base and potentially increase revenue. Additionally, implementing written policies and procedures for gluten-free foodservice can position a restaurant as a leader in food safety and compliance with FDA regulations. This can be particularly valuable in today's climate, where consumers are increasingly concerned about health and safety. Basically, restaurants can gain a great deal by leaning into gluten-free standards and preparation, and using them as a vehicle to improve team cohesion, draw more customers, please more customers, save money, and build a better future for everyone, while increasing the bottom line. More info is at: fsrmagazine.com

Celiac.com 05/13/2019 - People with celiac and other diseases are being forced back to work by political leaders demanding that they sacrifice themselves and their loved ones to "help the economy." The problem is not simply relegated to pressure from bosses. In fact, some state governors are threatening to end unemployment benefits, including the federal $600 weekly CARES unemployment benefit, for anyone who refuses to return to work, as requested by their employer. You can read about that in this related article, which is aptly subtitled, "Governors Cut Off New Unemployment Benefits Before Some People Even Got Checks." Of course, the problem is that the pandemic is far from under control, in fact, several states just saw their highest death toll, or highest new case numbers to date. Until we have adequate testing, tracing and ways to measure the safety level of any given state, city, or business, going back to work could be risky, especially for workers with autoimmune disease like celiac disease or other medical conditions. Moneyist recently featured a letter from one person in Florida, whose work challenges illustrate the dilemma perfectly. The letter begins: The worker states that her employer initially discouraged her from wearing a face mask, as per CDC guidelines. She goes on to add that she "continue[d] to cough, and last week I had a video visit with my primary physician. He became concerned, given my history of hospitalizations, and ordered me to be tested for COVID-19. I was tested on Thursday and am waiting for results. I was told to self-isolate for 14 days." The woman is legitimately concerned that staying home, as per her physician's direction, could leave her ineligible for unemployment benefits. Her letter includes this desperate line: "I’m falling through the cracks. I worry that if I do get COVID-19 and die, my husband and children will have no recourse against this employer" Are you or a loved one in a similar situation? Are you worried about COVID-19 and being pressured to return to work too soon? Share your story below. Read the letter, and the reply by Moneyist at Marketwatch.com.

Celiac.com 03/16/2018 - Celiac awareness has increased exponentially over the last decade among physicians and the general public alike. Increasing numbers of research publications and very active support groups and individuals have contributed to this growing awareness. Knowledge of the many and varied manifestations is also growing rapidly although some individuals continue to cling to the notion that celiac disease is characterized by malabsorption and that nutrient deficiency is the dominant feature of this ailment. This misses the broader understanding of the many ways in which gluten grains negatively impact on human health. From toes to head, any and all of our human body systems may be harmed by ingesting gluten under some circumstances. Although the wide range of signs and symptoms of celiac disease is impressive, a similar, even broader range of impacts may be attributed to gluten in the context of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Those with celiac disease only comprise a small portion of the population of people who are afflicted by non celiac gluten sensitivity. Dr. Rodney Ford has offered the all encompassing term of 'gluten syndrome' to identify everyone whose health is compromised by gluten consumption (1). From Dr. Fasano's most conservative estimate that 6% of the population is afflicted by non-celiac gluten sensitivity (2), to Dr. Rodney Ford's estimate that 10% is afflicted (3), to Dr. Kenneth Fine's finding that IgG class anti-gliadin antibodies are found in about 11% of the population (4), to this writer's assertion that non-celiac gluten sensitivity includes well more than 20% of the population, the paucity of research in this area offers a wide range of estimates without a solid basis for refuting any of them. Nonetheless, it is clear that those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity outnumber those with celiac disease by a ratio of somewhere between 6 to 1 and more than 20 to 1. The gluten syndrome may therefore include from seven percent to more than twenty percent of the population. The importance of these percentages and ratios is that we are seeing growth in the diagnosis of celiac disease, and in the number of people who have celiac disease (4). It has been argued that a similar trend may be seen across the spectrum of the gluten syndrome, attributing that trend to the genetic modifications that have been made to grains, and the increased consumption of these foods (5). But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Dr. Fasano bases his estimate of non-celiac gluten sensitivity on those who mount an innate immune reaction to gluten grains. While there is likely some overlap between innate immune reactions and selective antibody reactions, most estimates of non-celiac gluten sensitivity are based on IgG class antibodies against one of the proteins of several protein families found in gluten. It makes eminent sense to me that when our bodies are mounting a measurable immune response against the most common food in our diets, whether the reaction is by the innate immune system or by creating selective antibodies, that food might be harmful to our health. I do not quarrel with the basis on which these sensitivities are identified. I simply argue that they are only identifying a sub-fraction of many more possible cases of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. To put this issue into sharper focus, there are several protein families to be found in each of the gluten grains. In wheat, for instance, each family, glutelin, gliadin, and glutenin contains a number of individual proteins. The antibody test for gliadin ignores possible reactions to proteins in either of the other two families. Further, IgG class antibodies are the most common and widespread class of selective antibody we produce. But they form only one of five types of selective antibodies (known as immunoglobulins). Further, as is obvious from Dr. Fasano's conservative approach to identifying non-celiac gluten sensitivity, there are other facets of the immune system that do not involve selective antibodies, and can also be enlisted in a reaction against gluten grains. Thus, when we test for IgG anti-gliadin antibodies, the most common test for non-celiac gluten sensitivity, positive results are identifying reactions against only one of the several protein families found in gluten, and only one of the five possible selective antibody reactions against this single protein family. It therefore seems wholly improbable that testing for reactions against a single protein family in only a single class of selective antibody would identify all or even most cases of gluten sensitivity. Admittedly, some researchers test for IgA antibodies but those investigators usually do not test for IgG antibodies. However, even with testing for both classes of selective antibodies, which most published reports on this issue have not done, it is clear that many possible immune reactions to any other protein fractions of gluten might well be overlooked, either in the form of other selective antibodies or as other immune reactions and various innate reactions against gluten grains. I'm sure that, by now, the reader will see that there are many possible immune reactions against this most common food, and that most of these reactions will go undetected, both in the context of standard medical testing and in most research conducted in this venue. On a more practical plane, when Dr. Curtis Dohan identified significant improvements among patients with schizophrenia patients eating a gluten-free, dairy-free diet (6), and Singh and Kay replicated their findings (7), many looked for celiac disease among patients with schizophrenia and found only a small increase. Dohan and Singh's publications were followed by several sloppy studies that ignored the guiding principles expressed in this pioneering work. These weak studies further undermined acceptance of the connection between gluten and schizophrenia. The net result was a growing belief that Dohan had erred and his heroic work was widely dismissed. Yet, more than twenty years after his death, one of Dohan's most vigorous critics is listed among the authors of a paper that reports an immune reaction against gluten that, while different from the reaction seen in celiac disease, is common among people with schizophrenia (8). Similarly, I think that we can expect, sometime in the future, to see research that identifies immune reactions and damaging dynamics caused by gluten consumption among people with learning disabilities. There is, for instance, one newspaper report of an informal study conducted at the Nunnykirk School in Northumberland, a school that serves only children with dyslexia, a condition that is reported to afflict about 10% of children in the United Kingdom. After six months of eating a gluten free diet, more than 80% of these children improved their reading at a rate of at least twice that of normal children. Some leaped ahead, in their reading skills, by as much as 2.5 years over this six month period (9). Relatedly, I had the privilege of working with Dr. Rodney Ford on a retrospective analysis of indicators of school readiness among children who had celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity (as measured by selective antibody testing) and children who showed no signs of either reaction to gluten. A large majority of those who reacted to gluten improved dramatically. There was a small but significant sub-group whose school readiness improved following a gluten free diet, and these improvements happened within 6 months of avoiding gluten (unpublished data). Autism, especially where normal development was curtailed after one or several years, is another condition in which excluding gluten seems to provide substantial improvements even in the absence of celiac disease. Some research in this area suggests that toxins (generated by bacteria resident in the intestines) are allowed access to the bloodstream and the brain (10). Perhaps exclusion of dietary gluten is the factor that limits access to the bloodstream through reducing zonulin production. Similarly, although not as well supported, there is some evidence to suggest that gluten contributes to bi-polar disorder. Just how frequent and significant the contribution may be is still open to debate, but I have observed some evidence to support this hypothesis in my own family. A range of types of epilepsy have been found in association with celiac disease, many of which are mitigated by the gluten free diet (11). The manifestations of undetected non-celiac gluten sensitivity are not limited to brain function. We know that celiac disease is much more frequent in the context of other autoimmune diseases. We also know that antibody tests show even higher rates of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Since we are only identifying a fraction of those who may be reacting to gluten, it seems reasonable to suggest that everyone with an autoimmune disease, or antibodies suggesting that an autoimmune disease is imminent, should begin a strict gluten free diet and follow it for at least one year. If there is any reduction of auto-antibodies or symptoms of autoimmunity, the diet should be continued. Although difficult in the early stages, it is an entirely benign intervention/treatment. There are no unwanted side effects or hazards. There are more than 200 autoimmune and other medical conditions reported in association with gluten and are listed in Appendix D of Dangerous Grains (12). In each case, a lengthy trial of a gluten free diet would be well advised. Again, there are no negative side effects of the gluten free diet. It is an entirely benign intervention. A significant proportion of those who suffer from IBS, Crohn's or any of the various types of colitis have also been reported to benefit from a gluten free diet on various websites. Similarly, many people with MS and a host of other neurological diseases have been shown to benefit from a gluten free diet (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23). Even many AIDS patients are helped by a gluten free diet. It reduces their diarrhea and improves nutrient absorption (24). This is an important discovery that can be harnessed in conjunction with the improved treatments now available for this very serious illness. Overweight, obesity, and weight loss are contentious issues with regard to the gluten free diet. Until quite recently, there were two reports of small studies of changes in body mass index in the USA and one report from Ireland, following institution of a gluten free diet. The two American studies showed weight loss among overweight subjects on a gluten free diet. The study from Ireland showed only weight gain among overweight subjects after following a gluten free diet. In November of 2011, another small study was published. Their conclusion states "The GFD (gluten free diet) has a beneficial effect upon the BMI (body mass index) of overweight children with celiac disease" (25), which is congruent with the earlier two American studies. I have previously suggested that the discrepancy between the findings may be due to the acceptance of wheat starch as part of the gluten free diet in the United Kingdom. However, regardless of the cause, the preponderance of evidence supports the notion that a gluten free diet can be used as an effective weight loss strategy in some cases of celiac disease. Other evidence suggests it may be a more broadly effective weight loss tool. Thus, my estimate of the prevalence of non-celiac gluten sensitivity includes the 6% who show signs of innate immune reactions to gluten, in addition to those who show IgG antibodies against gluten, at about 11% of the population (although there may be some overlap between these 6% and 11% groups). My estimate also includes many of those with schizophrenia who number about 1% of the general population, and a portion of those with autism who are quickly approaching 1% of the population. I am also including 80% of the approximately 10% of the population with some degree of dyslexia. Because of overlaps between groups, and because gluten's impact is often only demonstrable through a gluten free diet, I only assert that non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a factor in more than 20% of the general population. However, I remain open to findings that will show a much greater negative impact from eating foods derived from gluten grains. The portion of the human population that may be negatively impacted by gluten consumption can range as high as the 80% portion that produce haptaglobin 2, for which zonulin is the precursor. The take away point here is that the gluten free diet may aid overall health for up to as much as 80% of the general population. In that context, my estimate that 20+% of the population is showing signs that they are variously mounting immune reactions against gluten or are otherwise harmed by gluten appears modest. The overlapping symptoms make it extremely difficult to narrow my estimate further. Nonetheless, gluten is one of the most harmful substances in our diet. Yet it is the most ubiquitous factor in our diets. Sources: 1. Dr. Rodney Ford 2. Sapone A, Lammers KM, Casolaro V, Cammarota M, Giuliano MT, De Rosa M, Stefanile R, Mazzarella G, Tolone C, Russo MI, Esposito P, Ferraraccio F, Cartenì M, Riegler G, de Magistris L, Fasano A. Divergence of gut permeability and mucosal immune gene expression in two gluten-associated conditions: celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. BMC Med. 2011 Mar 9;9:23. 3. personal communication 4. personal communication 5. Wheat Belly 6. Dohan FC, Grasberger JC. Relapsed schizophrenics: earlier discharge from the hospital after cereal-free, milk-free diet. Am J Psychiatry. 1973 Jun;130(6):685-8. 7. Singh & Kay 8. Samaroo D, Dickerson F, Kasarda DD, Green PH, Briani C, Yolken RH, Alaedini A. Novel immune response to gluten in individuals with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res. 2010 May;118(1-3):248-55. 9. Blair, Alexandra. Wheat-free diet gives food for thought. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article444290.ece 10. Sandler RH, Finegold SM, Bolte ER, Buchanan CP, Maxwell AP, Väisänen ML, Nelson MN, Wexler HM. Short-term benefit from oral vancomycin treatment of regressive-onset autism. J Child Neurol. 2000 Jul;15(7):429-35. 11. Ribaldone DG, Astegiano M, Fagoonee S, Rizzetto M, Pellicano R. Epilepsy and celiac disease: review of literature. Panminerva Med. 2011 Dec;53(4):213-6. 12. Braly J, Hoggan R, Dangerous Grains. Avery, New York, 2002. 13. Hadjivassiliou M, Sanders DS, Grünewald RA, Woodroofe N, Boscolo S, Aeschlimann D. Gluten sensitivity: from gut to brain. Lancet Neurol. 2010 Mar;9(3):318-30. 14. Turner MR, Chohan G, Quaghebeur G, Greenhall RC, Hadjivassiliou M, Talbot K. A case of celiac disease mimicking amyotrophic lateral scl Nat Clin Pract Neurol. 2007 Oct;3(10):581-4. 15. Hadjivassiliou M, Chattopadhyay AK, Grünewald RA, Jarratt JA, Kandler RH, Rao DG, Sanders DS, Wharton SB, Davies-Jones GA. Myopathy associated with gluten sensitivity. Muscle Nerve. 2007 Apr;35(4):443-50. 16. Hadjivassiliou M, Grünewald RA, Kandler RH, Chattopadhyay AK, Jarratt JA, Sanders DS, Sharrack B, Wharton SB, Davies-Jones GA. Neuropathy associated with gluten sensitivity. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2006 Nov;77(11):1262-6. Epub 2006 Jul 11. 17. Hadjivassiliou M, Sanders DS, Grünewald RA. Multiple sclerosis and occult gluten sensitivity. Neurology. 2005 Mar 8;64(5):933-4; author reply 933-4. 18. Hadjivassiliou M, Williamson CA, Woodroofe N. The immunology of gluten sensitivity: beyond the gut. Trends Immunol. 2004 Nov;25(11):578-82. Review. 19. Hadjivassiliou M, Sanders DS, Grünewald RA, Akil M. Gluten sensitivity masquerading as systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann Rheum Dis. 2004 Nov;63(11):1501-3. 20. Hadjivassiliou M, Grünewald RA, Davies-Jones GA. Gluten sensitivity as a neurological illness. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2002 May;72(5):560-3. 21. Hadjivassiliou M, Grünewald RA, Lawden M, Davies-Jones GA, Powell T, Smith CM. Headache and CNS white matter abnormalities associated with gluten sensitivity. Neurology. 2001 Feb 13;56(3):385-8. 22. Hadjivassiliou M, Grünewald RA, Davies-Jones GA. Gluten sensitivity: a many headed hydra. BMJ. 1999 Jun 26;318(7200):1710-1. 23. Hadjivassiliou M, Gibson A, Davies-Jones GA, Lobo AJ, Stephenson TJ, Milford-Ward A. Does cryptic gluten sensitivity play a part in neurological illness? Lancet. 1996 Feb 10;347(8998):369-71. 24. Quiñones-Galvan A, Lifshitz-Guinzberg A, Ruíz-Arguelles GJ. Gluten-free diet for AIDS-associated enteropathy. Ann Intern Med. 1990 Nov 15;113(10):806-7. 25. Reilly NR, Aguilar K, Hassid BG, Cheng J, Defelice AR, Kazlow P, Bhagat G, Green PH. Celiac disease in normal-weight and overweight children: clinical features and growth outcomes following a gluten-free diet. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011 Nov;53(5):528-31. 26. Cheng J, Brar PS, Lee AR, Green PH. Body mass index in celiac disease: beneficial effect of a gluten-free diet. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2010 Apr;44(4):267-71. 27. Murray JA, Watson T, Clearman B, Mitros F. Effect of a gluten-free diet on gastrointestinal symptoms in celiac disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Apr;79(4):669-73.

Celiac.com 05/11/2017 - As research continues to show the remarkable nutritional advantages of bone broth, it is gaining a spotlight in the nutritional world, especially in nutrient focused diets like the paleo diet, clean eating, and more. But though the attention may be new, it is actually an age old dietary staple dating back to paleo era days when utilizing every part of animals was essential. Bone broth has remained a dietary staple around the world for generations. It is an exceptionally nutrient dense broth made by simmering the bones and connective tissues of animals. It's surprisingly easy to make and the benefits offered are astounding. If you are new to this wonder food read on to find out about bone broth benefits and the real truth about all it offers! Top Benefits of Bone Broth Bone and Ligament Health. As bones are simmered in the making of bone broth, key bone health minerals such as calcium and phosphorous are infused into the broth. Additionally, the breakdown of the connective tissue used for bone broth provides a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin which supports joint health. Gut Health. The gelatin produced from animal collagen provides a healing effect for the GI tract. People starting a gluten free or paleo diet in hopes of calming down an inflamed digestive tract may especially appreciate this benefit. Immune Health. Turns out the old wives tale of chicken soup to cure illness holds some truth. The rich mineral content and in particular the amino acids in bone broth support a healthy immune system. Women's Health. Bone broth also offers help when it comes to women's hormones. This is because poor nutrient absorption is closely tied to hormonal health. When the gut is inflamed, nutrient absorption suffers. By healing the gut, the body can better regulate hormone levels. Anti-Aging. The collagen rich gelatin found in bone broth may just be the fountain of youth. Adding to this anti-aging effect, the amino acid proline further helps to give strong and shiny hair, skin, and nails. Tips to Making Bone Broth Yourself Quality Matters. To avoid the chemicals conventionally raised animals are exposed to and gain maximal nutritional benefits, opt for bones from grass-fed cows and/or free range chickens. Pick the Right Parts. The bones, ligaments, and cartilage used in bone broth each offer benefits. The bones give the broth vitamins and minerals while the ligaments and cartilage provide all important collagen as they break down. Opt to include knuckles as much as possible as they are particularly collagen rich. Go Slow. The secret to bone broth is going 'low and slow.' Cooking broth in a slow cooker on a lower heat setting for a longer period of time allows the collagen, vitamins, and nutrients to best be released into your broth. Add an Acid. Be sure to add a spoonful of an acid such as apple cider vinegar to help break down the connective tissue and collagen. This is a very simple approach to adding something extremely beneficial to just about anyone's diet or health routine.

Celiac.com 05/02/2012 - Doctors and researchers are still debating the usefulness of active blood screening for spotting celiac disease in older populations. Studies do suggest that many cases of celiac disease go undetected, especially in the older population. One unanswered question is whether screening does any good for older people who have been eating gluten many decades. A team of researchers recently studied the clinical benefit of a gluten-free diet in screen-detected older celiac disease patients. The research team included Anitta Vilppula, Katri Kaukinen, Liisa Luostarinen, Ilkka Krekelä, Heikki Patrikainen, Raisa Valve, Markku Luostarinen, Kaija Laurila, Markku Mäki, and Pekka Collin. They are affiliated with the Department of Neurology, the Department of Internal Medicine and the Department of Surgery at Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, and the University of Helsinki's Department of Education and Development in Lahti, Finland, the Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery the School of Medicine, and the Paediatric Research Centre at the University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. For their study, the researchers evaluated the benefit of active detection and implementation of a gluten-free diet in elder populations with for celiac disease. The team evaluated thirty-five biopsy-proven celiac patients over 50 years of age, each of whom had celiac disease detected by mass blood screening. They looked at bone mineral density, dietary compliance, disease history, quality of life, and symptoms at baseline and after 1-2 years of a gluten-free diet. They also looked at small bowel biopsy, serology, laboratory parameters assessing malabsorption, and bone mineral density. Using surveys, the team established gastrointestinal symptom ratings and quality of life by psychological general well-being. The used this information to rate symptoms. They found patient dietary compliance to be good overall. Initial tests on the patients showed reduced serum ferritin levels, pointing to subclinical iron deficiency. This trend reversed after patients followed a gluten-free diet. Initially low vitamin B12, vitamin D and erythrocyte folic acid levels increased significantly on a gluten-free diet. Patient histories showed that those with celiac disease had sustained more low-energy fractures, and sustained such fractures more frequently than the general population. A gluten-free diet brings with it a beneficial increase in bone mineral density. The team also noticed that many gastrointestinal symptoms disappeared, even though though many patients reported only subtle symptoms upon diagnosis. Quality of life remained unchanged. According to the study team, two out of three patients would have been diagnosed even without screening if the family history, fractures or concomitant autoimmune diseases had been factored in. Results showed that patients who had celiac disease detected by mass blood screen did, in fact, benefit from a gluten-free diet. For doctors evaluating older patients, the team advocates a high index of suspicion and active case-finding in celiac disease as an alternative to mass screening. Source: BMC Gastroenterology 2011, 11:136. doi:10.1186/1471-230X-11-136