Celiac disease

Could it possibly be?  At long last, there’s some movement on the behalf of the gluten-free labeling movement.

This is REALLY big news for people who are gluten-free in the U.S.!  The FDA has re-opened a comment period for 60 days to solicit opinions from health professionals, scientists and the public on a potential ruling for defining gluten-free as less than 20 ppm.

Why 20ppm? According Michael Taylor at the FDA at stakeholder teleconference on Aug 2nd, it’s the lowest amount that can be accurately quantified, and many leading experts believe it is a safe amount. Europe has used it for 20 + years.  Several prominent researchers, including Dr. Alesso Fasano and Dr.Stefano Guandalini, spoke in favor of the new proposed legislation. “This is a standard that has been in use in Read More »

The suitability of oats as part of the gluten-free diet has been a source of controversy, with some groups pointing to research suggesting oats are safe and others pointing to other research demonstrating oats are dangerous to those with celiac disease. Close inspection of available medical research clearly shows that oats, even “gluten-free” oats, should not be included in the gluten-free diet at this time.

Until the early 1990’s, oats were excluded from the gluten-free diet, along with wheat, barley and rye. Then, a few pilot studies suggested oats may not cause the harm previously thought. The idea was proposed that people with celiac disease would find their diet more palatable, and would benefit nutritionally, if they were allowed to eat oats.

Heavy contamination of many oat products with wheat, rye, and particularly barley, was a concern. Companies began to produce so-called “gluten-free oats.” These oats were tested for the presence of wheat, barley and rye. They are vigorously marketed as “safe” for celiacs. However, studies show that even “uncontaminated oats” (oats not containing wheat, barley or rye) are toxic to an unknown number of people with celiac disease.

Early studies proclaimed oats to be safe, but they have since been judged faulty with poor validity. Nevertheless, they opened the floodgates to Read More »

Photo: The Joplin Globe, Roger Nomer

People with celiac disease in Joplin, MO need our help! 

The following message was posted by Barbara Hicks, leader of the Tri Lakes Celiac Support Group in Kimberling, MO. Contact Barbara to find out how you can get involved.

Hi Everyone,

I am sure that by now you have heard about the tornado that hit Joplin.  It took out a major portion of the town including the two major grocery stores where celiacs Read More »

Gluten Free NetWorks is celebrating Celiac Awareness Month by giving away hundreds of gluten-free prizes in May.  Get in now on this amazing event! Read More »

The Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University invites you to participate in a research study looking at individuals’ knowledge of genetic testing of celiac disease and their potential concerns with such testing.  The goal of this study is to increase understanding of the factors associated with making an informed decision regarding such testing and to better provide the necessary information to make such a decision.

Brandy Wendler, the new Mrs. Alaska, has celiac disease.

April 8, 2011, Anchorage, Alaska: Brandy Wendler, wife of JohnRoss Wendler, pilot officer of Elmendorf Air Force Base who is serving in Japan’s relief effort, was crowned Mrs. Alaska United States 2011 in front of a packed auditorium at the Wilda Marston Theatre in Anchorage on Saturday, April 2^nd, 2011.  

Although the Mrs. Alaska pageant was Mrs. Wendler’s first time competing in a pageant, her passion for speaking about Celiac disease, a disease Mrs. Wendler was diagnosed with 3 years ago, stole the hearts of the judges and the entire audience. 

Mrs. Alaska United States is a prestigious and elite title, which requires each contestant to choose a Read More »

The following article was written by Erika Gebel and reprinted by permision from Chemical and Engineering News.

Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity Often Go Undiagnosed

Judging by their symptoms, people with celiac disease could have food poisoning, depression, or iron deficiency. As a result, doctors often have trouble diagnosing the serious immune disorder. To develop a better test for the disease, researchers have made a device that can detect nanograms of gluten antibodies, the hallmarks of celiac disease, in human Read More »

Gluten sensitivity, gluten allergies and celiac disease are potentially deadly medical conditions.  

We received the following letter from the Colorado Office of Consumer Protection and were heartened to see the State of Colorado take the needs of people with gluten disorders seriously. Read More »

[Editor’s Note: This story is from 2011. It still illustrates why we must be vigilant about where we go to eat.]

Gluten-free Nation, you should be rightly shocked, dismayed and FURIOUS!  A chef in Glenwood Springs, Colorado is poisoning you…and bragging about it.

Chef Damian Cardone is wantonly feeding gluten pasta to patrons who request gluten-free food according to a post on his Facebook page. 

Cardone was deliberately feeding high gluten food to people as of March 10 according the dates on comments to his post.  

It gets worse.  Cardone seems to relish his campaign to feed gluten-free individuals gluten… Read More »