<<Disclaimer:  Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
 
As you are all aware, there have been many posts in the last few days
on our CELIAC list about the recently released medical journal article on
the possible safety of oats for celiacs, published in the New England
Journal of Medicine.  The listowners have asked the 40+ celiac
professionals on the CEL-PRO list to discuss this issue, and already there
have been several different opinions expressed.  Because the
researchers and clinicians on CEL-PRO often check their email less
frequently than many of us, it may take a 2 weeks or more for a
complete discussion to occur, and the to-and-fro between the different
opinions is likely to yield some very useful points.  The listowners will
then summarize the CEL-PRO oats discussion and make a single (long)
post on the CELIAC list for the benefit of all.
 
We mention this now because you may want to wait for the results of
the CEL-PRO discussion before deciding whether or not to add oats to
your own diet.  From the CEL-PRO discussion to date, it is clear that
some of the professionals will not be advising their own patients to add
oats, at least not yet.  Others will be cautioning their patients to do
certain medical tests prior to adding oats.  Some of those who will be
recommending oats have serious concerns about the amount of oats
which can be consumed without damage, and/or frequent cross-
contamination of oats with wheat prior to it arriving at the grocery store.
 
Thus, it is likely that the oats issue, like the wheat starch issue, is not
going to be clear-cut.  Stay tuned.
 
Bill Elkus