Tag Archives: celiac disease

Increase in Celiac Disease In Babies And Toddlers in Sweden



Research is being done to try to determine WHY there has been an increase of Celiac Disease in children under two years of age in Sweden. Was it immunizations, diet or genetics?

Between 1984 and 1996,Celiac Disease in Sweden increased 4 times the normal rate of the disease, in children under the age of two.Researchers have been trying to figure out why. Read the complete article at MSN – http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47965462/ns/health-childrens_health/#.T-yZdphQSSp



When the doctor says the words “You have celiac disease”



Restaurants that Serve Gluten Free Food

When the doctor says the words “You have celiac disease”, and you learn that you can never again eat many of the foods you now enjoy, it can be a little unsettling. If you have celiac disease it means, no more bread or buns, no more pizza or pasta, no more cake or donuts. There are substitutes for these products, but they don’t taste the same. Wheat and gluten are found in many foods. It is used as a filler in things like spices, sauces and many prepared foods.

Eating gluten free at home comes with many challenges. As if it isn’t difficult enough to have to deal with the problem at home, the much larger problem of eating away from home, is somewhat daunting. Where do you go and how do you know if you will get a meal that is gluten free? For people with celiac disease, finding a restaurant that has a good variety of gluten free choices, can be a frustrating experience. Many restaurants don’t provide gluten free meals because it requires extra attention and cost. There must be a separate food preparation area or, the area must be thoroughly cleaned before gluten free food can be prepared. Even cooking in the same pan or if a crumb of bread is in the butter, it can make many Celiacs ill.



The Celiac Restaurant Guide will find gluten free restaurant meals, anywhere in North America. The guide makes finding restaurants quick and easy. When you enter an address or city, a map is displayed showing the restaurants in the area that can serve gluten free food.

Children diagnosed with celiac disease tend to have low bone density



Kids suffering from celiac disease should include certain must-have vitamins in their diets to prevent weak bones and osteoporosis, according to researchers at the University of Alberta.

A study of 43 children and teens from three to 18 years of age diagnosed with celiac disease showed that they also tended to have low bone density, likely due to poor intake and absorption of vitamins and minerals.



In other words, they should be getting more of bone-boosting vitamins such as K and D in their diets, said Diana Mager, a professor of agricultural, food and nutritional science at the U of A, and one of the researchers on the project.

“Children with celiac disease are at risk for poor bone health, but by adding vitamins K and D to their diets, it can help reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis,” said Mager.



The study revealed that the children were getting less than 50 per cent of their recommended dietary intake of Vitamin K, and that they also suffered from low levels of Vitamin D, which can be raised through increased exposure to sunlight and by eating fortified dairy products.

Mager also recommended that children with celiac disease include physical activity in their daily routines to build their bone strength and boost their Vitamin D intake by exercising outside.

“Enjoying activities such as walking and running outdoors when there is more sunshine is a great way to contribute to healthy bones,” said Mager.



Source: The Times of India | Health – http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-23/health/28299440_1_celiac-disease-low-bone-density-vitamins

Finding Restaurants That Serve Gluten Free Food



Finding Restaurants That Serve Gluten Free Food – A Time Consuming, Frustrating, Experience

Celiac disease is a medical condition where the surface of the small intestine is damaged by the gluten that is found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. The gluten sends a signal to the body triggering an autoimmune reaction, which has much the same result as food poisoning. The symptoms from eating gluten vary, but often it results is diarrhea and abdominal pain. The damage caused by the gluten prevents the bowel from absorbing the nutrients, which are necessary for good health. The long-term result can be permanent damage to the bowel and malnutrition. Depending on the person’s gluten sensitivity, even a tiny amount of gluten may be all that is required to trigger a reaction. The only treatment for celiac disease is abstaining from eating gluten forever. There is no known cure for celiac disease.

* Controlling gluten in the food at home is difficult, but when eating out you have no control over what is in the food.



* If gluten free food is ordered and the cook contaminates it during preparation,

Guess who suffers?



Restaurants are starting to become more aware of the problems Celiacs face and many restaurants can prepare gluten free food. The problem for Celiacs is finding those restaurants that can serve them safely. Travel can be especially difficult when one is not familiar with the restaurants in the area. Finding a restaurant is a simple thing for most people, but for a Celiac it can be a time consuming and frustrating experience. When most people travel they find a restaurant that looks good and stop to eat. When a Celiac wants to find a restaurant they stop and ask if the restaurant can serve gluten free food. Often this question is met with a blank stare from the server, so moving on is the only choice. When a restaurant says they can serve gluten free food a Celiac needs to decide if in fact they can. Usually this is done through a series of questions, if the answers seem reliable the decision may be to stay for a meal. If the food is contaminated with gluten, the Celiac is the one who suffers not the restaurant employees.

A comprehensive guide, that can find restaurants that serve gluten free food anywhere in North America, is what is needed. The Celiac Restaurant Guide was developed specifically for this purpose, it is quick and easy to use, and free. Enter an address or city and a map pops up showing the restaurants near you, that can serve gluten free food.

Can Immunotherapy build up your tolerance for gluten?



Celiac disease culprits found

CBC News, Thursday, July 22, 2010

Researchers discovered gluten was an environmental cause of celiac disease 60 years ago.

In a study, 244 people with celiac disease in Australia and the United Kingdom ate bread, rye muffins or boiled barley over three days. About a week later, blood samples were taken to measure the strength of their immune responses.



The findings could be used to develop a treatment, known as peptide-based immunotherapy. It involves injecting people with celiac disease with the toxic peptides to gradually build up their tolerance.

It would be a “miracle” if people with celiac disease could stop worrying about accidentally eating gluten, said Geraldine Georgeou, a dietitian on the board of Australia’s Gut Foundation. “That could be quite a way off unfortunately,” said Georgeou, who has celiac disease herself.



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/07/22/celiac-disease-gluten.html#ixzz0uytTpKaE – http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2010/07/22/celiac-disease-gluten.html#ixzz0uytTpKaE