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Thanks for all the responses regarding gluten intolerance vs. Celiac.

I have gotten mixed responses, but most suggest that gluten intolerance is
an earlier or milder from of Celiac, and if not treated will develop into
Celiac (as defined by biopsy of damaged intestine).  That reactions to
gluten are variable, and some show symptoms without positive test results,
and others have positive results without symptoms. It sounds like the people
who show symptoms without positive results are gluten intolerant.

Here are some responses:

Celiac disease is the most severe form of gluten intolerance.  There is an
article that was just released by GNC on their website explaining gluten
intolerance.  You can access it if you have a gold card membership with
them.

In my mind, there's no or little difference between intolerance and celiac.
I think that most with intolerance will develop celiac if they continue
eating gluten. At the least, people with intolerance who continue eating it
will live more physically miserable lives and probably have higher chances
of other diseases.

I found out that gluten intolerance is the beginning stages of Celiac, and
that it may not have progressed far enough to be able to be detected by the
tests. But, if left untreated, it could develop into full blown Celiac.
There is a doctor named Dr. Fine who has a website called
www.finerhealth.com with a lot more information about the difference. He
said that gluten intolerance is like having signs of heart disease but of
the colon instead, and that Celiac is like the heart attack of the colon
you'll have if you ignore the signs. So Celiacs are gluten intolerant, but
gluten intolerants may not necessarily be Celiac, yet.


Good education is the slide show at Dr. Fine's website...
http://www.enterolab.com/Lecture/

Gluten intolerance is more of topical reaction in the GI tract. Celiac is a
systemic autoimmune reaction to gluten. Gluten intolerance can progress to
celiac.


Emily

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