Exciting news for Celiacs!!

The Wall Street Journal recently printed an article about new evidence that suggest gluten-sensitivity and Celiac Disease may be two separate entities. Why is this so important? This means there are more people who need a gluten-free diet and more attention must be paid to the way the food industry processes our grains. The evidence points out that while 1% of the population is affected with Celiac Disease as many as 6% of the population may have gluten-sensitivities.  Please click the link below for the full article.

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March Product of the Month

I think the hardest thing about going gluten-free is the withdrawal from bread. My doctor ( who has Celiac disease as well) once told me he thought it was worse than a morphine withdrawal. I still remember the taste of the breadsticks at Olive Garden or the soft dark rye from The Cheesecake Factory. However, challenges in a gluten-free life normal have solutions and once discovered it is a small victory (well, I tend to make a big deal out of them, so maybe not so small.) Udi's cinnamon Raisin Bread is one of those personal victories. I love it toasted with butter and honey or peanut butter. My biggest issue with it? It now comes in bagel form! Its my latest addiction!

March recipe of the month

We just ordered the P90x nutrition and exercise plan and I am looking forward to working through all the meals and videos. My husband has always been very disciplined when it comes to working out and that really helps motivate me. I also love cooking with him. He always has great feedback on my recipes - gluten-free or not. A lot of their recipes that I have tried or looked at are naturally gluten free, dairy free, and soy free. The recipes consist of simple ingredients that fill you up but will not slow you down. We started with the fat shredder (phase 1) plan and then we are going to move on two the next phase after a month. March is still cold in Alaska but Alaskan winters are not as bad as some people imagine. There are some cold and bitter days however, I think the winter season anywhere has a unique ability to make you want to curl up with a warm bowl of soup! The following recipe is something I borrowed from the energetic people at P90x and I have modified it slightly. It is hearty and filling and is only about 70 calories per cup. It is also heart healthy. February was National Heart Disease Awareness month and ladies, you should know you are more at risk for Heart Disease! For more information visit www.goredforwomen.org
The best and most important part of this recipe though? My husband loves it!

Vegetable Soup

5 cups fat free chicken broth (use reduces sodium for a heart healthy option)

1 pound of ground turkey, cooked separately beforehand
4 red potatoes, cut into small pieces
2 cups onions, chopped fine
1 cup carrots, chopped
1.5 cups celery, chopped
1 cups zucchini, sliced
8 ounces tomato sauce, canned (low sodium for a heart healthy option)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs dried parsley
1 tsp dried cilantro or to taste
black pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large stockpot, combine chicken broth, potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium high and simmer until the potatoes are tender, 20-30 minutes.
2. Add the turkey, zucchini, tomato sauce, garlic, parsley and cilantro. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer 10-15 minutes more until zucchini is JUST tender. Season to taste with black pepper and serve.
Serves about 9, 1 cup serves. About 70 calories per cup

Birthday Cupcakes

Baking for someone with Celiac Disease requires a lot of experimentation. Once you find something you tend to stick to it. I remember the first few celebrations after I was diagnosed - not all my creations were edible by the end of the baking process. Fortunately, I was blessed enough to have a friend make me cupcakes for my birthday that were gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. Not a very easy combination! She used Bob's Red Mill chocolate cake mix and added an extra egg. The icing was Pamela's chocolate icing in the bag but it was a little runny. However, the combination tasted heavenly, so I would recommend the recipe again and again! Below is a picture:

What triggers Celiac Disease?

Dr. Guandalini answers your question!

FAQs

This information was taken from the Maryland Center for Celiac Research website. www.celiaccenter.org/faq.asp

Celiac Disease FAQ

What is Celiac Disease?
What are the symptoms of Celiac Disease?
How common is Celiac Disease?
How is celiac diagnosed?
What are the long-term effects of Celiac Disease?
What is the treatment for Celiac Disease?
What are the recommended blood tests to diagnose CD?
How accurate are the celiac blood tests?
Are the villi permanently damaged in a patient with Celiac Disease?
What is the meaning of HLA DQ2/DQ8?
Is it necessary to have an intestinal biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of Celiac Disease?
Is it necessary to have an intestinal biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH)?
If a diabetic goes on a gluten-free diet, will their diabetes improve?
Can a person with Celiac Disease on gluten-free diet give blood?
Can a person with Celiac Disease drink wine?
Can I outgrow Celiac Disease?
Do I need to repeat the biopsy once on a gluten-free diet?
Is Celiac Disease a food allergy?

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is a genetic disorder affecting children and adults. People with celiac disease are unable to eat foods that contain gluten, which is found in wheat and other grains. In people with celiac disease, gluten sets off an autoimmune reaction that causes the destruction of the villi in the small intestine. People with celiac disease produce antibodies that attack the intestine, causing damage and illness. Finding the cause of this disease is a priority of the Center for Celiac Research.
Nearly 1 out of every 133 Americans suffer from celiac disease, according to a study by the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research in Baltimore. The research indicates that celiac disease is twice as common as Crohn’s disease, ulceric colitis and cystic fibrosis combined.
A blood test is now available to screen for the presence of specific antibodies. A biopsy of the intestine (before beginning a gluten free diet) is needed to make a final diagnosis.
Untreated celiac disease can be life threatening. Celiacs are more likely to be afflicted with problems relating to malabsorption, including osteoporosis, tooth enamel defects, central and peripheral nervous system disease, pancreatic disease, internal hemorrhaging, organ disorders (gall bladder, liver, and spleen), and gynecological disorders. Untreated celiac disease has also been linked an increased risk of certain types of cancer, especially intestinal lymphoma.
There are no drugs to treat celiac disease and there is no cure. But celiacs can lead normal, healthy lives by following a gluten free diet. This means avoiding all products derived from wheat, rye, and barley.
You will not outgrow the disease since celiac disease is now considered to be an autoimmune disorder like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Celiac Disease is not a food allergy; rather it is an autoimmune disease. Food allergies, including wheat allergy, are conditions that people can grow out of. This is not the case with celiac disease.

What are the symptoms of Celiac Disease?

Symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, weakness, malnutrition, and other gastrointestinal problems. In children, the symptoms may include failure to thrive (an inability to grow and put on weight), irritability, an inability to concentrate, diarrhea and bloating. Further, people affected by celiac disease may experience extra intestinal symptoms that involve many systems and organs including bones (osteoporosis, arthritis, and joint pain), blood (anemia and bleeding), reproductive system (infertility and reoccurring abortion), nervous system (chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, dementia), and behavioral changes.

How common is Celiac Disease?

Nearly 1 out of every 133 Americans suffer from celiac disease, according to a new study by the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research in Baltimore. The research indicates that celiac disease is twice as common as Crohn's disease, ulceric colitis and cystic fibrosis combined.

How is celiac diagnosed?

A blood test is now available to screen for the presence of specific antibodies. A biopsy of the intestine (before beginning a gluten free diet) is needed to make a final diagnosis.

What are the long-term effects of Celiac Disease?

Untreated celiac disease can be life threatening. Celiacs are more likely to be afflicted with problems relating to malabsorption, including osteoporosis, tooth enamel defects, central and peripheral nervous system disease, pancreatic disease, internal hemorrhaging, organ disorders (gall bladder, liver, and spleen), and gynecological disorders. Untreated celiac disease has also been linked an increased risk of certain types of cancer, especially intestinal lymphoma.

What is the treatment for Celiac Disease?

There are no drugs to treat celiac disease and there is no cure. But celiacs can lead normal, healthy lives by following a gluten free diet. This means avoiding all products derived from wheat, rye, and barley.

What are the recommended blood tests to diagnose CD?

There is a particular series of blood tests called the ‘Celiac Panel”. These tests measure your immune system’s response to gluten in the food you eat.
tTG-IgA or tissue transglutaminase-IgA
AGA-IgG or Antigliadin IgG
AGA-IgA or Antigliadin IGA
Total IGA
The presence of tTG antibodies is highly suggestive of CD, while AGA can be elevated also in cases of wheat allergy.

How accurate are the celiac blood tests?

The current diagnostic tests for CD are very accurate, particularly when tTG and anti-endomysial antibodies are elevated. The isolated presence of anti-gliadin antibodies does not necessarily imply that the subject is affected by CD, with the exception of children under the age of 2 in which tTG and EMA may not be present.

Are the villi permanently damaged in a patient with Celiac Disease and how long does it take for the villi to return to normal?

The villi are not permanently damaged. The intestine is an organ, which renews itself every three days. Therefore, if the damage is exclusively due to CD, the villi will be reformed once on a gluten-free diet. The time for the villa to return to normal varies among individuals.

What is the meaning of HLA DQ2/DQ8?

As an autoimmune disease, CD is the consequence of the interplay between genes and the environment (gluten). We don’t know all the necessary genes to develop CD; however, HLA DQ2 and/or DQ8 are absolutely necessary to develop the disease. Since 1/3 of the general population also have these genes, the presence of DQ2 or DQ8 does not imply that the person will develop CD, rather, that they have a genetic compatibility with CD. Conversely, the absence of DQ2/DQ8 almost certainly rules out CD.

Is it necessary to have an intestinal biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of Celiac Disease?

Currently, the intestinal biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of celiac disease, and therefore is considered essential.

Is it necessary to have an intestinal biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH)?

A skin biopsy is sufficient to confirm the diagnosis of DH. DH is the skin manifestation of CD.

If a diabetic goes on a gluten-free diet, will their diabetes improve?

Not necessarily. The current literature suggests that once you develop diabetes, the course of the disease will not be changed by a gluten-free diet. However, there are some reports suggesting that a gluten-free diet can help to better control serum glucose levels.

Can a person with Celiac Disease on gluten-free diet give blood?

Yes, a person with celiac disease can donate blood.

Can a person with Celiac Disease drink wine?

Yes, wine is made from grapes. Conversely, beer is made from grains and cannot be consumed by a celiac.

Can I outgrow Celiac Disease?

If you are a biopsy proven celiac, you will not outgrow the disease since celiac disease is now considered to be an autoimmune disorder like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

Do I need to repeat the biopsy once on a gluten-free diet?

If you are diagnosed based on positive serology and biopsy, and your symptoms improve once on a gluten-free diet, you do not need a follow-up biopsy.

Is Celiac Disease a food allergy?

No, celiac disease is not a food allergy; rather it is an autoimmune disease. Food allergies, including wheat allergy, are conditions that people can grow out of. This is not the case with CD.

Welcome!

I am so glad you found your way to my site! I am using this small piece of cyberspace to discuss something that I am passionate about - Celiac Disease!

I hope that you will find some interesting information here that will help you and your loved ones live life to its fullest without gluten.