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

If you weren't there last weekend, you missed a great conference.  Here are
some random notes.

There were many experts specializing in celiac that spoke at the
conference - researchers, dieticians, gastro, docs, journalists, etc.  All
agreed unanimously that distilled vinegar and spirits, no matter what the
source, are safe for celiacs.  Nothing new here, but some of you still don't
believe it!

Some symptoms of celiac disease that we don't often think of short
stature, shrinking stature, too good cholesterol, osteporosis (NOT
natural part of aging) Mental problems are common:  fatigue is most
common symptom of cd (note:  Not diarrhea but fatigue!), anemia
depression, apathy, mental cloudiness Some of many risks of untreated
cd:  lymphoma and melanoma (cancers), colon, prostate and liver
problems, osteoporosis, depression and mental problems CD is the most
common intestinal disease in the world.  Dr. Cynthia Rudert was fascinating!)

Most misdiagnosed and most miss diagnosed disease in America.
One in three people seeing a gastro has celiac.

The doctors speaking were criticizing their peers for not detecting or
looking for cd. In the US, there is an average of 11 years from first
symptoms to diagnosis, with the patient seeing from 2 to 5 doctors.
Because cd causes malabsorbtion, it masquerades as many other maladies
which attack the body where it is weakest. Rather than diagnosing celiac
and treating the underlying problem by avoiding gluten, the maladies are
treated - and rather unsuccessfully. The experts (doctors and
dietitians) repeatedly stated that this under-diagnosis is ignorance and
stubbornness on the part of physicians to accept the high likelihood of
celiac.  Incidences of cd (since most of us are of European heritage, it
is felt that the numbers in the USA should be similar to those in
Europe) USA 1:4600 (vastly under diagnosed) Argentina 1:170 Europe 1:200-
300 (varies by country with Ireland and Italy having most) Columbia
1:250 This is Columbia University where Dr. Peter Green researches and
treats cd.  I could have listened to him all day!

UMaryland 1:266 University of Maryland study to detect prevalence of cd
in USA Blood donors 1:300 Random testing of all blood donors at a clinic
It is up to US to do our part in educating the medical profession.
Tests to detect: cd (have many false negatives, so need all four) ttg
(tissue trans glutamate (sp?)

Iga/igg anti gliadin
IgA anti endomesial
serum Iga anti reticulin

The "gold standard" for detecting cd is still a small bowel endoscopy.

The vendor tables with food samples are soooo much fun.  Kinnikinnick won
hands down on the best bread     www.kinnikinnick.com   I recommend their
Many Wonder Multigrain Rice Bread and Brown Rice Bread.  These two breads
were actually moist, soft and flavorful when room temp.  There were
wonderful pastas, pretzels, snacks, rice sticks, pizza shells and pizzas,
bagels, hot dog and hamburger buns, freeze dried meals, and more.  Shar is
coming out with a new cracker within the next couple weeks that is pretty
close to a saltine type cracker.  Best I've had next to Nut Thins and Rice
crackers.  Didn't taste the many, many sweets so know nothing about them.

There's a new book out that will be helpful for some:  New Dietary
Guidelines for the Gluten Free Diet by Shelly Case.  Good information for
both USA and Canada and up to date.  [log in to unmask]

Ann Whelan, editor of Gluten Free Living spoke about the future of CD and
the GF Diet.  Again, I highly recommend a subscription to GFL
www.glutenfreeliving.com

Think about going to this conference next year for the latest, most up to
date information from the experts.  Besides,the Seattle area is a beautiful
place to visit with lots of fabulous (gf) food.  GIG:  [log in to unmask] or
www.gluten.net

Diane Holmes
Kirkland WA USA