<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> > Amy Jerreat <[log in to unmask]> asked: > > >This is another mention of 'Irish' in connection with Celiacs. Another > >post mentioned that Ireland had the highest incidenced in the world. > >Can anyone tell me why? Is it that their grain consumption is higher > >than the rest of the world? > >Being of Irish descent I am wondering if it is a gene factor. Let me start by saying that I don't know much about what I'm talking about yet. But I understood that CD was always a gene factor. It is genetic. I do know that the incidence of CD is much greater in West Europe than elsewhere, and far more prevalent in WEst Ireland. Where the US has an incidence of 2 cases per 1000, Ireland has 30 per 1000. That's diagnosed cases; probably a lot higher if undiagnosed are counted. The Irish also, I notice, have the highest rate of schizophrenia of any other ethnic group. I wonder if these two things are related, since schizophrenia can be one of the symptoms of CD. Is a good verbal ability the only good thing we inherit from our Irish background? Everything else seems to be negative from alcoholism to the other things mentioned. Also I wish I didn't carry grudges so easily :) vance