more on celiac

[Guest guest]

I hadn't read your whole message......Find some real treats that are gluten

free, so it's a special time.

Here's a site on getting started:

http://glutencaseinfree.tripod.com/gfcfdiet/

Well, I was going to send you one that has food lists, but I need to go, and

my computer shut down my explorer page.....I thought it had crashed, but I

cleaned out the hard drive case, put it back together and moved it out from

underneath the monitor and it works....I don't question why anymore.

I'll look when I get back.

Loriann AKA Flitter the Christian clown

Wife to Dewight

Mom to , 11 years, Down Syndrome, PDD-NOS and Celiac Disease.

, 2.5 years and Strong Willed

[Guest guest]

http://www.csaceliacs.org/

Celiac disease (CD) is a genetic disorder. In people with CD, eating

certain types of protein, called gluten, sets off an autoimmune

response that causes damage to the small intestine. This, in turn,

causes the small intestine to lose its ability to absorb the

nutrients found in food, leading to malnutrition and a variety of

other complications.

The offending protein, gluten, is found in wheat, barley, rye, and

to a lesser extent, oats (WBRO). Related proteins are found in

triticale, spelt, kamut. Refer to grains and flours for a more

extensive list of both safe and offending grains.

Celiac Disease is:

a genetic, inheritable disease.

linked to genetically transmitted histocompatibility cell antigens

(HLA DR3-DQ2, DR5/7 DQ2, and DR4-DQ8).

COMMON. Approximately 1 in 133 people have CD, however, only about

3% of these have been diagnosed. This means that there are over 2.1

million undiagnosed people with celiac disease in the United States.

characterized by damage to the mucosal lining of the small intestine

which is known as villous atrophy.

responsible for the malabsorption of nutrients resulting in

malnutrition.

linked to skin blisters known as dermatitis herpetiformis (DH).

not age-dependent. It may become active at any age.

Celiac Disease is NOT:

simply a food allergy.

an idiosyncratic reaction to food proteins (mediated by IgE).

typified by a rapid histamine-type reaction (such as bronchospasm,

urticaria, etc.).

The Damaging Proteins

The term " gluten " is, in a sense, a generic term for the storage

proteins that are found in grains. In reality, each type of protein -

gliadin in wheat, secalin in rye, hordein in barley, avenin in

oats, zein in corn and oryzenin in rice - is slightly different from

the others. The " gluten " in wheat, rye, barley, and in a much lower

amount, oats, contains particular amino acid sequences that are

harmful to persons with celiac disease. The damaging proteins are

particularly rich in proline and glutamine (especially the amino

acid sequences which are in the following orders: Pro-Ser-Gln-Gln

and Gln-Gln-Gln-Pro). As peptides, some such as 33-MER, cannot be

broken down any further. In people with celiac disease, 33-MER

stimulates T-cells to produce antibodies. The antibodies, in turn,

attack the villi in the small intestine, reducing their ability to

absorb nutrients. It is important to note that these sequences are

NOT found in the proteins of corn and rice.

The Nature of the Injury

The damage to the small intestine (the jejunum) caused by this

disease is very slow to develop and is insidious. It is:

almost certainly mediated by the immune system.

associated with ANTIBODIES to gliadin, reticulin and/or endomysial

(smooth muscle) proteins.

probably not directly caused by the antibodies, though they may be

signals for cell-mediated immunity.

probably produced by the cellular immune system (T cells) - but only

when gluten-type prolamins are present.

reversible, in most cases, to completely normal bowel function, if

the injurious protein is excluded from the diet.

How Does One " Catch " Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease cannot be " caught, " but rather the potential for CD

may be in the body from birth. Its onset is not confined to a

particular age range or gender, although more women are diagnosed

than men. It is not known exactly what activates the disease,

however three things are required for a person to develop CD:

A genetic disposition: being born with the necessary genes. The

Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes specifically linked to celiac

disease are DR3, DQ2 and DQ8.

A trigger: some environmental, emotional or physical event in one's

life. While triggering factors are not fully understood,

possibilities include, but are not limited to

adding solids to a baby's diet, going through puberty, enduring a

surgery or pregnancy, experiencing a stressful situation, catching a

virus, increasing WBRO products in the diet, or developing a

bacterial infection to which the immune system responds

inappropriately.

A diet: containing WBRO, or any of their derivatives.

Summary

Celiac disease is life-long and currently incurable. The only known

treatment at this time is strict adherence to a gluten-free

lifestyle, free of WBRO.

What are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease?

How is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?

How is Celiac Disease Treated?

A Brief History of Celiac Disease