The symptoms of celiac disease cover a wide range and are variable from person to person, but according to the Canadian Celiac Association, there are some symptoms that seem to be particularly common among celiac children.

These are: vomiting, irritability, behavioral changes, delayed growth or puberty, short stature, and dental enamel abnormalities.

According to Celiacs, Inc., the symptoms of celiac disease usually manifest in children after three to five months after they first ingest gluten, but this period of time may be shorter (“as short as one month”).  Their website lists additional celiac symptoms commonly found in children, such as a large abdomen, abnormal stools (large, pale, or floating), flattened buttocks, and acute diarrhea and dehydration.  Older children will experience “more subtle” symptoms such as: poor appetite, poor growth, and anemia.

Miranda Jade
http://www.GlutenFreeHelp.info
b.a.

Celaic disease, which has a wide variety of symptoms in itself, often is attended by other health conditions. According to the Canadian Celiac Association, for this reason, it’s recommended that people with celiac disease symptoms or a family history of celiac disease get tested for the following associated conditions:

-Osteoporosis
-Type 1 diabetes mellitus
-Other autoimmune disease (such as autoimmune hepatitis or autoimmune thyroid disease)
-Down syndrome
-Turner syndrome
-Lymphoma

Miranda Jade
http://www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

b.a.

Over recent years, avoiding gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, has become increasingly popular among Americans. Many people on the gluten-free diet have celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten that can affect the entire body, in particular the small intestine, causing serious health problems. A study is suggesting that people who are at risk for celiac disease (because they are related to a celiac patient) should undergo antibody testing and that those with positive results, showing antibodies which are specific to the disease, can benefit from a gluten-free diet.

Celiac disease (CD) has a wide range of symptoms including headaches, chronic fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, although some celiacs have been known to not exhibit any symptoms. Untreated, celiac disease can lead to severe complications such as infertility, liver disease, and certain cancers. While an estimated 1% of Americans have celiac disease, it’s supposed by experts that an even greater percentage of Americans are sensitive to gluten, meaning blood tests can confirm certain anti-gluten antibodies, while intestinal damage doesn’t exist.

In the study, headed by Dr. Katri Kaukinen of the gastroenterology department at Tampere University Hospital and School of Medicine in Finland, 3,031 healthy people who were related to a celiac patient but exhibited no symptoms were administered antibody blood tests. 40 of these people with positive results, who had anti-gluten antibodies, which are found in people with celiac disease, were divided randomly into two groups—a group of people told to switch to a gluten-free diet and a group supposed to maintain their regular gluten-containing diet.

The results? Those who went on the gluten-free diet experienced improved health, including gastrointestinal health. When the study was over, 85 percent of the participants opted to maintain a gluten-free diet. The researchers concluded that screening for at-risk individuals should be stepped up.

The gluten-free diet may also help aging baby boomers with age-related health problems and diseases, many of which can be tied to gluten sensitivity and can be alleviated on the gluten-free diet, such as depression, obesity and weight gain, skin disorders, dibromyalgia, memory loss, diabetes, thyroid problems, arthtritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and osteoporosis.

In fact, the gluten-free diet may be an optimum diet for humans. According Drs. Vikki and Richard Petersen, D.C., C.C.N. in The Gluten Effect, grains are fairly new to our diets in the history of humankind and have been shown to be negatively affecting our health.

If you’re at risk for celiac disease but not showing symptoms, it’s recommended that you should get screened as soon as possible. Even if you aren’t at risk for CD, switching to a gluten-free diet under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner may be a responsible choice.

Miranda Jade

www.GlutenFreeHelp.Info

k.m.

I am celiac. Let me clarify,  I am a highly (and I mean highly) sensitive to “greens”celiac- such as barley grass and wheat grass, so please do read on and get a new take on this very topic and my new view as of this recent testing.

First of all I have a wonderful team in Los Angeles and Florida that assisted me through this particular testing. I wanted feedback and I wanted it from all people, with all sorts of particular body needs or not.  So, this was quite a unique company to review as we elicited a number of kids and athletes to really put it to the test.

Let’s dive a little into Macro Life first. A caring mom, Sylvia Ortiz wanted to help her son loose some weight and out of this desire resulted in the original Macro Greens.  Her son lost 35 pounds, dropped down to 12 % body fat and then Sylvia lost 60 pounds as well.  Since that time Macro Greens® was named the most successful product ever in retail sales over a five-week period at Whole Foods chain markets. Wow!

The owners profess that Macro Greens is non-allergenic, nutrient-rich and will optimize the body’s pH and  surpasses the nutrition of five servings of fruits and vegetables. They also state that if used daily one will experience increased energy, weight loss, increased mental clarity, balanced blood sugar, strengthened immune system and improved digestion. So that was worth testing out for sure. Read on and let’s see what we discovered on a one on one basis here in LA and FL.

Miracle Reds® (a delicious red powder) is stated as being the a superfruit anti-aging blend providing immense antioxidant protection. They go on to share that it will locate and diminish unstable free radicals that damage healthy cells and cause premature aging. Now I am all for that! It has some of my favorite fruits: Goji, Pomegranate, Acai, and Mangosteen.

They also had us test their 3 bars: Macro Green Chocolate and Cinnamon Bar, Miracle Reds Berri Berri Bar and Macro Green Apple Lemon Ginger Bar. Let me just say now that everyone (yes everyone) who tested these found them to be absolutely scrumptious. Of course there are always those that prefer chocolate over fruit or fruit over chocolate (me) but that was the only side comment was, if they had to choose. But they don’t so they loved them all. They are a quick boost of energy, loaded with the greens or the reds, great fiber (which we celiacs NEED) and some protein to top it off. Kids of all ages loved the bars. The athletes (I am speaking triathletes and marathon runners) felt they were a  perfect after train smack or even a mid day snack. Two of the men said they would start buying them now without a doubt.

Ok, so now let’s look at the Macro Green testing:

“Tina, this was the best before training boost of anti oxidants I have ever had.” – One of my athlete testers

“ I can not say enough positive things about both the powders, Macro Greens and Miracle Reds. My husband drank it before heading off to work and he felt much better all day long. I gave it to my kids after school with their snack and they “DRANK IT” and I actually noticed they fell asleep better each eve. I used it  in my water during my work-out and I did not get the wiped out feeling I always get after heavy cardio”- Mother of two celiac kids

I can say that I loved the taste and did not get the terrible troubles I usually get from Barley. I loved knowing I was getting a load of nutrients without having to pop a load of pills. I actually cut down on my minerals. I can overall say it felt like CLEAN food. I can say that if I drank the Macro Greens every day I started to get tummy distress but as I initially said I am HIGHLY sensitive to barley grass. Some celiacs are. So I cut back. I also made some grain-free, gluten-free cookies with the greens. We call them Macro Cookies. I am not sure if heating them destroys any or All of the benefits so I made them in the dehydrator as another test. We call these Raw Macro Cookies

Now let’s discuss these delicious Miracle Reds. Let me share a very special story. One lady was just out of the hospital and was under a lot of stress and lacked decent nutrition before entering. She had little money and little after care. We delivered the reds in single serving packets to her for her ease in taking them. She was told she would be in bed a good 2 weeks healing. After 8 days on the Miracle reds she called me to tell me she felt life like again, for the first time in ages.

I also had several moms and dads call me with all sorts of stories exclaiming how pleased they were with the flavor, the benefits and ease in taking them etc. It was a winner!

The Miracle Reds and Macro Greens come in single serving packs as well as canisters of 30, 10 and a 2 ounce container to test without a big commitment.

According to the owners Miracle Reds® and Macro Greens® are among the most popular whole food supplements currently sold at most supermarkets and specialty health food locations we all know and shop at. After conducting this test, I can see why!

I really am very pleased to have been able to have tested this company’s products and the extremely positive outcome. I am also more pleased to say that this company is one of the finest we have tested in the past two years as far as supplements. These products are top quality, care and consideration for the public’s health and well being.

Please do yourself a favor and try them out: http://www.macrolifenaturals.com/

Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

k.m.

     With celiac disease awareness on the rise, more and more companies, such as Hope Paige, are coming out with useful products for the celiac community.

     Hope Paige is not an ordinary medical bracelet company. Whether you want a waterproof bracelet, one with charms, one to wear to work, or one to go with your wedding dress, this is the company for you. Unlike most medial bracelets I have seen, Hope Paige bracelets are unique accessories offering a wide range of sizes and prices. They offer items for all ages.

     You may be thinking, “Why would I need a medical bracelet if I’m celiac, gluten-sensitive or have a dairy allergy?” You would be surprised at how many drugs these days have gluten, dairy, etc. in them. If something were to happen to you (or your child or other loved one) requiring immediate medical care, you most likely wouldn’t have the time or be in the condition to express your needs. This could be detrimental to any celiac’s health.

     On a lighter note, another beneficial purpose for these bracelets is keeping children gluten-free in non-emergency situations. When gluten-free children go on field trips, over to friends’ houses, etc., parents may rely on the additional backup from these bracelets to keep others properly informed. Allowing your kids to pick out their own style of bracelet is a lot of fun, and there is an easy engraving process on the site.

     Although GlutenFreeHelp.info is mainly for celiacs and those who live a gluten-free lifestyle, I know that many of our readers have other allergies or know people who do. Hope Paige can engrave any allergy on their medical bracelets. Whether you have an allergy to wheat, peanuts, penicillin or aspirin, Hope Paige will make you feel fashionable and safer “wearing your allergy.”

     Approximately 30,000 people a year in the U.S. are rushed to the hospital due to a food allergy. Spread the word of getting tested for celiac disease, and make sure if you or anyone you know has an intolerance or sensitivity to gluten that you order one of these medical bracelets. It’s amazing how something so small can save a life.

     With the holidays right around the corner these would make great gifts for your friends and loved ones. The variety of styles available enables these bracelets to be a fashion accessory for those with a more discriminating taste.

Check out the Hope Paige website to see all the fun designs here.

Miranda Jade

www.Glutenfreehelp.info

For celiac patients and gluten-sensitive individuals, staying gluten-free is a health matter. Celiac disease, an autoimmune reaction triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, can have devastating effects when untreated, leading to a variety of symptoms and conditions such as migraine headaches, malnutrition, gastrointestinal problems, early menopause, and infertility. Even exposure to the slightest amount of gluten can cause serious health effects.

With the estimated three million Americans with celiac disease and six percent of Americans with a food sensitivity to gluten, which can cause a variety of symptoms similar to those of celiac disease, it’s no surprise that the gluten-free sector of the food industry has boomed. However, despite the fact that gluten-free foods represent the fastest growing food industry in the United States, the FDA has yet to establish gluten-free labeling guidelines, so that so-called “gluten-free” foods may actually contain dangerous levels of gluten for celiac patients. Without labeling standards, celiac patients need to be particularly avid about staying in the know about which food products are safe and which ones to avoid. A user-friendly gluten-free test can empower celiac patients with a method to test their food for themselves at home or while dining out at restaurants, on vacation, or in another person’s home.

According to GlutenTox Home’s website, the GlutenTox Home test kit can detect gluten at 20 ppm (parts per million), the general standard used for calling food “gluten-free.” The test can also be made to detect as little as 5 ppm of gluten for individuals who need to follow a stricter diet. The home test kit makes use of a new antibody called G12, which was developed to recognize gluten, helping the tester to avoid accidental ingestion of the protein in their food.

The GlutenTox Home kit is user-friendly and can be conveniently in one’s own kitchen or elsewhere. Results will appear within 10 minutes, but can appear within as few as two minutes. The product’s website contains a helpful video demonstrating how to use the test. As a children’s author, I’m often on-the-go or traveling, with little time to spare, and GlutenTox’s Home test kit more than satisfies my needs. On my latest European Book Tour, I discovered the kit and used it many times over the course of my travels. For individuals who are particularly sensitive to gluten or who travel or dine out, GlutenTox’s Home kit is certainly worth a try.

Tina Turbin

Resources:

GlutenTox Home: Product http://glutentoxhome.com/en/product.html

University of Maryland School of Medicine: University of Maryland School of Medicine Researchers Identify Key Pathogenic Differences Between Celiac Disease & Gluten Sensitivity http://somvweb.som.umaryland.edu/absolutenm/templates/?a=1474

In my work as an author, researcher, and gluten-free advocate, I strive to raise awareness for celiac disease and gluten intolerance because I know that with increased awareness will come more research, more correct diagnoses, and perhaps better treatment options. Illustrating this point, studies on the genetic links to celiac disease is leading to more research which may lead to new and more effective ways to treat the disease, an exciting prospect for celiacs who may want to enjoy some gluten now and then.

Celiac disease, an autoimmune disease which is caused by an allergic reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, affects about 1% of the population and 3 million Americans. The disease attacks the villi,the finger-like structure which line the small intestine, leading to stomach troubles and malabsorption of nutrients. Left untreated, it can cause severe health conditions and complications such as anemia, osteoporosis, miscarriage, and even cancer.

David van Heel, a gastrointestinal genetics professor at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, headed a group of researchers from around the world who studied the genetic maps of more than 9,400 celiacs.

According to Celiac.com, British researchers have found what they term “substantial” evidence that the genes which are connected with celiac disease are also linked to other autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. As a result, scientists are able to understand how the genetic risk factors for the disease operate—by changing the number of immune system genes that cells make. Furthermore, it is now understood that there are “hundreds” of genetic risk factors, which means that scientists should be able to “have a good guess at nearly half of the genetic risk at present,” van Heel wrote in the Nature Genetics journal in his published study.

Why is that only 3% of celiac Americans have been properly diagnosed? It’s likely that they or their doctors haven’t even heard of the disease. Research on celiac disease in the U.S. depends completely on the generosity of benefactors for its funding. Without charitable donations, there would be no way to continue this research and the efforts to raise awareness. Out of the estimated fifty autoimmune diseases that have been discovered by doctors, it is the only one for which research isn’t supported by the U.S. government.

I spent years running in circles with doctors who had no clue as to the cause of my painful symptoms, which finally drove me to research my symptoms on my own. I’m grateful to have been properly diagnosed, but managing the gluten-free diet can be a challenge. The prospect of a pill to offset genetic factors will appeal to many celiacs like myself. Although the treatment for celiac disease is simple, it calls for a lot of work and can be disheartening at times, requiring a total lifestyle change and a lot of homecooking.

With this genetic research in the area of celiac disease, we can look forward to more research, more awareness, and perhaps another treatment option. Meanwhile, it’s best to keep doing our parts to raise awareness and funds for research.

Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.Info

k.m.

Can a gluten-free diet help with stuttering? There is some evidence that perhaps it might.

According to the case records of the Massachusetts General Hospital, a middle-aged patient, after being diagnosed with CD (Celiac Disease), was found to have his speech abilities return after having been diagnosed with aphasia after a period of several months.

After all, it would make sense that eliminating gluten could help with neurological problems such as speech difficulty. Gluten sensitivity or celiac disease has been found in the majority of patients troubled by a neurological disease without a known origin. Furthermore, gluten-sensitive people who don’t have celiac disease outnumbers 2:1 the number of celiac patients. This means that even if someone tests negative for celiac disease that they may have a gluten sensitivity.

In conclusion, it would be worth your time to get tested for celiac disease if you have a neurologically-based stuttering problem of unexplained origin, and if the results are negative, you may want to try a gluten-free diet. Check with your doctor before making any such changes to your diet.

Let me know if you find it helps!

Tina Turbin

http://www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

In my work as an author, researcher, and gluten-free advocate, I work hard to help the gluten-sensitive and celiac communities live a healthy, balanced lifestyle, free from the threat of gluten ingestion. Over the past several years, I am grateful to have witnessed a marked increase in gluten-free awareness and celiac disease research, with many benefits for gluten-free consumers, such as gluten labeling laws, more companies devoted to manufacturing gluten-free alternatives, and helpful online resources. Nevertheless, there is one arena that needs to be addressed—gluten labeling requirements of  medications. As it stands, the FDA hasn’t implemented any such requirements, putting celiac patients at risk.

It’s estimated that three million Americans have celiac disease, an autoimmune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Genetic in origin, the disease works by attacking the absorptive fingers which line the small intestines, called villi, damaging them so that vital nutrients can’t be absorbed. What results is a wide variety of painful physical and mental symptoms, such as chronic diarrhea, chronic exhaustion, stomach problems, and migraines. Even though prescription and over-the-counter drugs can contain this ingredient that can make 1 in 100 Americans seriously ill, no clear gluten labeling laws exist, a fact which NFCA (the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness) is working hard to remedy.

The FDA has already launched a Safe Use Initiative, in which the FDA “seeks to partner and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to measurably reduce preventable harm from medications, thereby improving patient health,” according to the FDA’s website. Alice Best, Founder and President of NFCA, and Loretta Jay, M.A., the Director of Program Development, have teamed together to get the FDA to expand the initiative’s scope on behalf of the celiac community. “The Safe Use Initiative’s emphasis on informational errors makes this project particularly important to people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity,” they wrote to the FDA.

According to Best and Jay, without labeling requirements for medications, “although few medications do contain gluten, every medication must be investigated to verify its gluten-free status.” The current situation requires that pharmacists and patients contact the pharmaceutical manufacturers themselves to inquire about gluten content. “Answers are not available after regular business hours, and sometimes manufacturers are not prepared with the responses when contacted during the day,” Best and Jay write. Furthermore, this information can change easily as pharmaceuticals are manufactured differently. Whereas time-consuming research can be inconvenient for celiac patients when it comes to food products, it can be a health-threatening matter when dealing with medication.

Clearly, this lack of gluten labeling requirements can put celiac patients at risk and result in what Best and Jay call “the almost certain potential for error and consequent grave harm to the celiac and gluten sensitive patient population.” Thankfully, we have the NFCA working on our behalf. In the meantime, celiac patients and pharmacists will have to continue their diligent research on their own. “It will be a long road,” Jay says, but with perseverance I think we can look forward to future gluten labeling on our medications.

Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

k.m.

Resources:

FDA: FDA’s Safe Use Initiative http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM188961.pdf

Regulations.gov: National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA)  http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480b0e253

I want to share with you a truly remarkable advance in celiac disease testing shared by Dr. Peter Osborne, Diplomate with the American Clinical Board of Nutrition. Whereas testing for gluten sensitivity and celiac disease has been traditionally performed in a doctor’s office with blood antibody tests and intestinal biopsies, genetic testing is readily available, and you can test yourself at home with a cheek swab. It has been known for some time but it is always important to share this advice and news for anyone new to this scene, the celiac and gluten-free scene that is.

Find out more by visiting the following link:

http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/genetic-testing-for-gluten-sensitivity/

Dr. Osborne also gives a simple and easy-to-comprehend lecture on gluten, gluten sensitivity, and celiac disease, and how to tell the difference. Check out this link—you don’t want to miss it!

http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/video-tutorial/gluten-sensitivity-what-is-it/

Tina Turbin
www.GlutenFreeHelp.info