<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Fran <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>I have heard conflicting scientific/medical reports
>(worldwide), regarding the use of oats in the Celiac diet. I boldly
>tried a bowl of hot oatmeal last week, and had no reaction. I am highly
>sensitive to gluten and have reactions to even trace elements. I know
>just because I did not have a reaction does NOT constitute GF status.
>Anyone else have updates on oats in the Celiac diet?

Oats are still controversial.  There are updates available in our reference
files in two places, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the body
GET CELIAC GRAINS
GET CELIAC CONF96-1
(the second file is from the Finland conference, day 1. If oats is not
discussed there, try 96-2 or 96-3, which are the other days of the conference)

There are two problems (this is a summary of the files from memory):
(1) Many commercial oats are contaminated with gluten, due to problems
separating wheat from oats and cross contamination in the fields,
transportation, processing or storage of grains.  The amount of contamination
varies a great deal, but some European labs have reported gluten amounts well
in excess of the allowable European standards for GF foods.
(2) Most US celiac experts feel the studies showing the safety of oats (done
with especially pure oats) are not yet sufficient in their breadth and scope.
However, others are ready to allow well controlled adult patients (who are
willing to carefully test their serology and reaction) try limited amounts of
oats.

Bill Elkus
Los Angeles