<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
Newsletter Roundup
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Compiled by Janet Armil and Jim Lyles
This section contains articles and excerpts from newsletters produced
by other celiac groups.
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: :
: Excerpts from the Greater Philadelphia CS Support Group :
: ------------------------------------------------------- :
: newsletter: July 2000 Phyllis J. Brogden, chairperson :
: 6318 Farmar Lane :
: Flourtown, PA 19031 :
:...........................................................:
Gluten-Free Foods at Taco Bell: The following is a listing of Taco
Bell's gluten-free items (as listed in information sent to Bert Mugler
dated March 13, 2000):
pintos and cheese
bean tostada
nachos
nachos supreme (minus the beef)
nachos bellgrande (minus the beef)
cheese sauce
guacamole
hot or mild sauce
jalapeno peppers
nacho chips
fiesta salsa
lettuce
diced onions
green onions
tomatoes
sour cream
seasoned rice
picante sauce
red sauce
cheddar cheese
three cheese blend
For more information, write to Taco Bell Corp., 17901 Von Karman, Mail
Drop C506, Irvine, CA 92614, Attn: Consumer Inquiries; or call
1-800-TACOBEL.
-=-=- -=-=-
Zithromax is not gluten-free (GF) in tablet form, so ask for the
liquid (suspension) form. From Stokes Pharmacy, 800-754-5222, May 13,
2000.
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: :
: Excerpts from the Maryland Celiac Support Group :
: ----------------------------------------------- :
: newsletter: May 2000 Mary McKenna, editor :
: 11 Tenby Court :
: Timonium, MD 21093 :
:.................................................:
Gluten-Free Food Vendor Websites, each checked out by Jackie Pontious:
Dietary Specialities <http://www.menudirect.com>
Ener-G Foods <http://www.ener-g.com>
Garden Spot Distributors <http://www.gardenspotdist.com> [not all
products are GF]
Gluten-Free Pantry <http://www.glutenfree.com>
Kinnikinnick Foods <http://www.kinnikinnick.com>
Authentic Foods <http://www.authenticfoods.com>
Miss Roben's <http://www.missroben.com>
Gillian's Foods <http://www.gilliansfoods.com>
Mr. Spice Products <http://www.mrspice.com>
Gluten Free Cookie Jar <http://www.glutenfreecookiejar.com>
Pamela's Products <http://www.pamelasproducts.com>
'Cause You're Special <http://www.causeyourespecial.com>
Liv-N-Well Distributors <http://www.liv-n-well.com>
Cecilia's Gluten-Free Grocery <http://www.glutenfreegrocery.com>
Deroma (Glutino) <http://www.glutino.com>
Gluten-Free Food Vendor Directory <http://www.gfmall.com>
Gluten-Free Mall <http://www.glutenfreemall.com>
-=-=- -=-=-
Increased Zonulin Levels in Celiacs:<2>
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Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have
found that the human protein zonulin, which regulates the permeability
of the intestine, is at increased levels during the acute phase of
celiac disease. The discovery suggests that increased levels of
zonulin are a contributing factor to the development of celiac disease
and other autoimmune disorders such as insulin-dependent diabetes,
multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The findings are
published in the April 29 issue of the journal Lancet.
"Zonulin works like the traffic conductor or the gatekeeper of our
body's tissues," says lead author Alessio Fasano, M.D., professor of
pediatrics and physiology at the University of Maryland School of
Medicine, and director of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at
the University of Maryland Hospital for Children. "Our largest
gateway is the intestine with its billions of cells. Zonulin opens
the spaces between cells allowing some substances to pass through
while keeping harmful bacteria and toxins out," explains Dr. Fasano.
With celiac disease, the body reacts to gluten by creating antibodies
that attack the intestine and cause severe damage over time. Unlike
other autoimmune disorders, scientists also know that celiac disease
is triggered by a specific antigen, which is the protein gluten.
Celiac disease is also known to cause increased permeability of the
intestine. In addition, many people who suffer from celiac disease
also suffer from other autoimmune disorders.
The research team examined the intestinal tissue of seven people with
celiac disease, and six patients without the disease. Patients with
active celiac disease showed higher levels of zonulin and anti-zonulin
antibodies compared to non-celiac patients and patients in remission,
who were eating a gluten-free diet.
"With celiac disease, we could never understand how a big protein like
gluten was getting through to the immune system. Now we have the
answer," explains Dr. Fasano. "People with celiac disease have an
increased level of zonulin, which opens the junctions between the
cells. In essence, the gateways are stuck open, allowing gluten and
other allergens to pass. Once these allergens get into the immune
system, they are attacked by the antibodies," adds Dr. Fasano.
"I believe that zonulin plays a critical role in the modulation of our
immune system. For some reason, the zonulin levels go out of whack,
and that leads to autoimmune disease," explains Fasano.
Dr. Fasano adds that more research is needed. He is currently
conducting experiments with diabetic rats. Preliminary results from
his experiments show that insulin-dependent diabetes occurs in lab
rats about three to four weeks after increased intestinal
permeability. The researchers believe the increased intestinal
permeability is associated with increased levels of zonulin.
"We are at the threshold of exciting discoveries in this field," says
Dr. Fasano. "We now have a new way of looking at our cells. Our
cells are not stacked together like bricks. They are a dynamic field,
which is constantly in flux."
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