News

The News Wants You to Think Grain-Free Food Is Killing Dogs

Here’s some fake news for you. Notice the headline. “Grain-Free Dog Food Warning.”

The news video discusses dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs.

Cardiomyopathy has nothing to do with grains or the lack thereof. (We discuss idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in our Gluten Free Works Health Guide.

The study mentioned in the article never even mentions grains as benefits or liabilities.

The study noted the true  cause of cardiomyopathy in dogs is Read More »

Shocking Facts About Celiac Disease

celiac awareness month

Photo credit: Celiac Disease Awareness Month

May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month, so it seems appropriate to share some medical facts about this autoimmune disease that just might shock you.

These facts come from Dr. Tom O’Bryan who is is a nationally recognized speaker and workshop leader specializing in gluten sensitivity and celiac disease.  Dr. O’Bryan’s specialty is in teaching the many manifestations of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease as they occur inside and outside of the Read More »

Dunkin’ Donuts Tests Gluten-free Products

dunkin donuts gluten free

Image source: Gluten Free South Florida/Facebook Page

That’s right. Dunkin’ Donuts is the latest nationwide chain to try out gluten-free.

According to its website, Dunkin’ Donuts is the world’s leading baking and coffee chain, serving more than 3 million customers per day. Now Dunkin’ Donuts has determined “it’s time to bake the donuts” gluten-free style.

Dunkin’ Donuts is testing gluten-free muffins and donuts in select stores in the Boston and Miami areas. These include blueberry muffins and cinnamon sugar donuts. The products are certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO). The cinnamon sugar donuts sell for less than Read More »

Chuck E Cheese to Offer Gluten Free Options

Effective today, over 500 locations of Chuck E Cheese restaurants will begin offering two GFCO certified gluten-free options for those visitors following a gluten-free diet. An individual cheese pizza and an individual chocolate fudge cupcake are the two certified gluten free options now available to children and parents visiting the establishment.

Chuck E Cheese to offer gluten free options

Chuck E Cheese to offer gluten free options

Read More »

Gluten-Free Diet Provides Murray and Djokovic with Recipe for Success

Andrew Murray and Novak Djokovic

Tennis Stars Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic credit the gluten-free diet for their improved play

Since our last post about gluten-free Olympic athletes, other athletes and celebrities in the spotlight have come forward with their own decisions to go gluten free, whether it be a gluten sensitivity or a health and wellness decision. With this new surge in the spotlight, it’s fitting that two names highly regarded in tennis have openly spoken about going gluten free. Read More »

Gluten-Free Athletes Bring Home the Gold

dana vollmer gluten free olympics

Dana Vollmer has Celiac Disease and a Gold Medal in the 100 Butterfly. Photo: EPA

Celebrities and athletes living gluten-free are casting a much-needed light on the lifestyle changes that accompany a gluten-free diet. With their openness about their symptoms, dietary changes and more, athletes and celebrities in the spotlight are proving that celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are more prevalent than is currently known, that these conditions affects all kinds of people, and that abiding by a gluten-free diet does not stop them from living the life they love.

Dana Vollmer, U.S. swimmer and 2012 Olympian recently brought home a gold medal and set a world record in Read More »

Medical Research Study to Test a Potential Celiac Disease Therapy Is Underway and Signing up Participants

There is no cure for celiac disease. But, there may soon be a new therapy to go along with a gluten-free diet.

A Phase II medical research study to test a potential therapy for people with celiac disease is underway and signing up participants at .

Alessio Fasano, MD. Co-founder of Alba Therapeutics

The investigational drug, Larazotide Acetate, was developed by Alba Therapeutics. It passed Phase I trials and is now being studied to determine how effective it is in different doses and whether side effects develop. Alba Therapeutics was co-founded by celiac disease researcher, Dr. Alessio Fasano, director of the Celiac Disease Center at the University of Maryland.1

The therapy is based on Dr. Fasano’s discovery that tight junctions between cells in the intestine can be opened or closed and that gluten relaxes these junctions. It is this process that leads to gluten improperly crossing into the body, thereby eliciting an immune reaction that leads to inflammation and damage characteristic of celiac disease.

“The reality is that the paracellular space is a gate, not a wall or fence. And if material gets through that space – even if it is only 1 to 5% of what normally travels through the cell – it could be associated with disease.”
-Alessio Fasano, MD1

Dr. Fasano discovered the potentially therapeutic utility of down-regulating intestinal permeability of celiac disease.1 In other words, he discovered that Read More »

Smart Balance Acquires Udi’s Healthy Foods for $125 Million Increases Stake in Gluten Free Market

John Libonati Gluten Free Works

Smart Balance Gluten FreeThe gluten-free food industry is exploding due to increased diagnosis of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Celiac disease is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people, while gluten sensitivity is believed to affect up to 10% of the population. The gluten-free market is one of the fastest growing industries, with 20%+ growth per year with US sales increasing from under $1 billion in 2006 to over $2.5 billion in 2011. With the potential market so large, more and more major corporations are getting into the act.

Smart Balance recently acquired Udi’s Healthy Foods, the industry leader in the gluten-free breads and baked goods category, for $125 million.  This follows Smart Balance’s 2011 acquisition of Glutino Foods, which was at the top of the gluten-free snack industry when purchased. With this recent buy, Smart Balance is fast becoming Read More »

Harvester Brewing’s Gluten-Free Red Ale

Kristen Beals Gluten Free Works

Harvester Brewing’s Gluten-Free Red Ale joins Pale and Dark Ales in Year Round All GF Line-Up

Responding to popular demand, Harvester Brewing is bringing their Red Ale into year-round production. The Red Ale was originally released as one of the Experiment Ale series of seasonal/rotating beers. The Red Ale will have its own label, joining the Pale Ale and Dark Ale in the year-round line-up. Read More »

Chevys Fresh Mex Launches Gluten-free Menu

[We have been informed Chevys no longer offers a gluten-free menu. 1/1/2017]

The chain is the third to introduce gluten-free items this month

 

Chevys’ Guac My Way guacamole is part of its new gluten-free menu. Instead of chips, the dish is served with corn tortillas.

Chevys Fresh Mex this week became the latest restaurant chain to launch a gluten-free menu in its company-owned locations.

Chevys’ launch follows the debut earlier this month of Domino’s Pizza’s new gluten-free crust and Chuck E. Cheese’s test of new gluten-free products, including a pizza and a cupcake.

The new menus, which cater to those with gluten-related disorders, have also raised controversy over whether restaurants can accurately label a menu item “gluten free” if there is a risk of cross contamination.

Read More »