The gluten in grains is not always good for you

[Guest guest]

I was sent this article by another online friend so apologies for the

crosspost to those who have seen it. Posting as is.

The gluten in grains is not always good for you

By Barrie Silberberg Special to the Acorn

One in 133 people have celiac disease. Celiac disease, or CD, renders

people unable to digest and tolerate gluten. Gluten can be found in

wheat, spelt, triticale, rye, barley and most often in oats.

Many patients run from doctor to doctor in search of an answer for

their digestive issues. Many doctors call it irritable bowel syndrome,

IBS, a catch-all phrase for " I don't know what is wrong with you " and

send the patients on their way.

Some symptoms reported by those who have suffered with CD are fatigue,

weight loss, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, anemia, constipation or

diarrhea.

Because more and more patients are being diagnosed with celiac

disease, more doctors are checking and doing the proper testing to

ascertain whether their patients are suffering from CD.

The only true way to determine a patient has CD is a tissue test of

the intestine, via an endoscopy.

This test will show if the intestinal villi are destroyed, indicating

a positive diagnosis of CD. If diagnosed with CD, the patient must be

on a glutenfree diet. Remaining on this special diet will return the

patient to good health. CD is a genetic disease.

When one member of a family is found to have CD, it is suggested that

other first-degree relatives be tested.

Autism

Thousands of children on the autism spectrum are also finding amazing

results while being not only glutenfree, but also caseinfree. Casein

is a dairy protein.

Improvements that many individuals have experienced while being free

of both gluten and casein are better eye contact, loss of sensory

difficulties, better social skills, loss of meltdowns and tantrums,

improved behavior, better focusing, improvement in intestinal

problems, and loss of repetitive movements.

Many children on the autistic spectrum, as well as those with

attention deficit disorder (ADD) or ADHD- ADD combined with

hyperactivity- have benefited from being free of artificial dyes,

preservatives and other chemicals.

To help increase business, stores and restaurants would be wise to

accommodate all of these individuals. As the number of people on

restricted diets rises, more and more companies are seeing the need to

produce specialized foods. There is a huge demand for special diets

and services for this community.

There are some wonderful Internet message boards out there to help

those on restricted diets by answering questions and providing

recipes, advice and suggestions.

Some of these are health .groups.yahoo.com/group/ GFCFKids/messages;

forums.delphiforums.com/celiac/; health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ SillyYaks

To join a local support group or just to see their great website,

visit www.venturaceliac.org/.

They hold support group meetings at St. 's Pleasant Valley

Hospital in Camarillo. Consult the website meeting times and for other

interesting information.

Eating Out

Eating out can always be risky when you have dietary restrictions, but

a few restaurants are gaining excellent reputations for their

gluten-free menus.

One of the best around is PF Chang's China Bistro. They have a GF menu

on their website, www.pfchangs.com/cuisine/

menu/GlutenIntolerantMenu.pdf, and in the restaurant. When you are

being seated, just ask for the GF menu. Most of the menu items are

also casein/dairy free. (Their flourless chocolate dome cake is not

casein free.)

Outback is another GFfriendly restaurant. There is a GF menu online

that you can print out and bring with you to the restaurant. Visit

www.outback.com/ foodandmenus/pdf/ glutenfree.pdf.

For more local restaurants, visit www.venturaceliac.org/ restaurants.htm.

Before you travel, visit www.glutenfreerestaurants.org/ to find

GF-friendly restaurants.

Theme park food

While vacationing at the Disney parks or Legoland, the staff will

assist you with your dietary needs. It is wise to call ahead and talk

to the chef. Consult their websites for the phone numbers. Look under

" special dietary needs. " These parks are both extremely allergy-free

friendly and will go above and beyond to accommodate your needs. They

also realize the importance of crosscontamination worries.

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, a law passed

in January 2006, states that if any of the top eight allergens- milk,

eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soy-

appear in food products, they must be listed on the label in plain

language.

In our community there are stores full of GF and CF foods. Your best

bets are Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Lassen's. Some chain grocery

stores do carry such foods but not as much as the aforementioned

stores. Whole Foods stores have brochures listing some of the GF and

CF foods they carry. Trader Joe's GF foods are listed on their website.

Friendly brands

Here are a few popular brands that are gluten free and some that are

also casein free:

Pasta: Tinkyada; pretzels: Ener-G, Glutino; cookies: Enjoy Life,

Midel, Nana's; cake and cookie mixes: Nastaste, Gluten Free Pantry;

waffles: Van's; pancakes: Trader Joe's brand; bread: Food for Life,

Kinnikinnick; cereal: Nature's Path, EnviroKidz, Glutino; chicken

nuggets: Wellshire Farms, Ian's; frozen dinners: Ian's, Amy's; snack

bars: Bumble Bars, Arico Bars, Lara Bars, Jocalat Bars and Clif Nectar

Bars.

A variety of mixes and GF flours are available at Whole Foods in the

gluten-free section.

To get the results needed, it is imperative to be 100 percent

committed to these diets.

You must also be aware that many cosmetics, art supplies and

toiletries can also contain gluten or casein, and certain brands are

to be avoided.

Barrie Silberberg of Thousand Oaks works part-time teaching American

Sign Language to Mommy and Me groups, elementary school-age children,

teens and adults. She is also a job developer and placement counselor

with the state of California, working with individuals who have

disabilities.

Visit her website at www .puttingyourkidsfirst.com.

http://www.simivalleyacorn.com/news/2008/0125/health_and_wellness/034.html